Developer

Job Summary :

The Media and Design Studio is seeking a creative, talented web developer to join our small but dynamic team. You'll be at the forefront of using technology for humanistic and linguistic studies, creating innovative digital solutions for teaching, scholarship, and research.

Developers with interest or ability in world languages will also have opportunities to put their multilingual talents to use.

This position develops rich interactive web applications using modern stack; writes clean, efficient code for both front-end and back-end;

collaborates on cutting-edge projects involving AI, data science, and virtual reality; and participates in the full software development lifecycle, from concept to deployment in a unique academic environment.

Our latest applications are written using client-side frameworks such as Angular, React, and Next JS, with server-side programming in Python, Java, Node, Perl and / or PHP / Laravel.

The programming team regularly combines and extends open-source software platforms, such as WordPress and Omeka S, into customized solutions for teaching and scholarship projects.

This position usually works with senior staff but may coordinate smaller or less complex projects independently and / or together with student staff.

The developer will work to document and understand aesthetic and functional requirements for projects, translate requirements into descriptive tasks and work units that can be self-assigned or divided among the team, and monitored.

The developer will prototype solutions to problems via proofs-of-concept and follow a development methodology based on agile principles and / or rapid application development, checking in frequently with fellow staff for feedback and quality control.

This developer position in the Media and Design Studio is a full-time position and typically works on-site three or more days per week.

The target hiring range for this position will be between $80,297 - $100,370 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

This position is full-time eligible for some work to be performed remotely. As described, this position is initially expected to work onsite three days per week and up to two days remotely, with the option of more onsite days if preferred.

Opportunities for more remote work may be possible at certain times of the academic calendar.

Applicants should provide a cover letter in addition to a résumé and / or CV. Work samples are preferred and may be requested of finalist candidates.

Specific Responsibilities :

Strategic Planning

• Participates in the development of new goals and strategies based on interactions with constituent faculty and students
• Explores alternatives to existing products and services; identifies opportunities to improve procedures and practices
• Develops plans for software deployment on heterogeneous systems.
• Partners with users in designing features for technology.

Administration

• Responds to customer inquiries via phone, online, in-person, etc.
• Writes precise well-organized emails, letters, proposals, and other communications using appropriate vocabulary and grammar
• Creates code and process documentation in a knowledge base, such as Confluence
• Grants system access to new users.
• Creates and resolves issues and tickets within a tracking system
• Evaluates feature / upgrade / change requests and recommends action.
• Participates in interview process for new hires.
• Identifies database and software performance issues, makes adjustments.

Development

• Designs, implements, and maintains client-side applications using frameworks such as jQuery, Angular, Vue, and / or React
• Designs, implements, and updates server-side applications and API services using frameworks such as PHP / Laravel, Node, and / or Spring in both classic and cloud-based hosting environments
• Understands and translates educator and researcher goals into design requirements for software projects
• Extends open-source software by authoring plugins, patches, or enhancements
• Organizes source code and supporting materials within a content repository, such as GitHub
• Prioritizes tasks within project in order to meet established deadlines
• Completes troubleshooting of issues and errors.
• Designs databases and data structures.
• Opens tickets with vendors.
• Other Duties
• Encodes instructional and research content according to schematic templates
• Assists with hardware deployments and light system administration duties in labs, classrooms, and studios
• Mentors colleagues and student workers within the Studio
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications : (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree;

OR appropriate combination of education and experience.

• 2 years relevant experience; 4 years relevant experience for Senior Developer role
• HTML 5
• JavaScript
• SQL / MySQL / Postgres
• Critical Thinking
• Database Design / Data
• Structure
• Debugging
• Judgment
• Problem Solving
• Agile
• Environment
• Code Documentation
• Iterative and Incremental
• Development
• Organizational Skills
• Scrum Project Framework
• Troubleshooting

Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Ability to author, debug, document maintainable code primarily written in JavaScript and / or TypeScript
• Experience with HTML markup and CSS styling
• Experience with PHP or other comparable programming languages.

Preferred Qualifications : (Education and experience)

• Experience building applications using client-side application frameworks (e.g., jQuery, Angular, React, Vue, Node, Meteor, etc.)
• Experience building server-side applications and API using languages and frameworks (e.g., Zend, Laravel, Django, WordPress, etc.)
• Experience with multiple programming languages (e.g., Python, PHP, Java, Swift, Go, etc.)
• Experience with Laravel web application frameworks
• Experience with various AWS services (Lambda, SQS, DynamoDB, S3, CloudFormation)
• Experience with package managers such as Composer for PHP and NPM for JavaScript.
• Experience with UI / UX design.
• Experience with writing and consuming RESTful APIs.
• Experience with modern source control practices, tools, and systems such as Git, Git-flow and GitHub.
• Experience with software testing using PHPunit, Selenium, or other comparable tools.
• Experience with relational databases and SQL based databases such as MySQL and PostgreSQL.
• Experience with Agile, Scrum, or Kanban.
• Experience with iOS and / or Android mobile app development
• Experience designing graphics, documents, and user interface mockups using tools from the Adobe Creative Cloud suite (e.

g. Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design, XD, etc.)

• Experience creating and editing time-based media (video, audio, and / or animations)
• Experience with text analysis, machine learning, and / or artificial intelligence APIs and agents
• Experience with statistical computing, regression analysis
• Experience working with faculty and researchers
• Advanced degree or combination of education and experience

Preferred Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Familiarity with WCAG 2.0+ Web Accessibility Guidelines
• Knowledge of Linux / UNIX systems and shell scripting
• Familiarity with Mac OS
• Ability to communicate effectively in small groups and public speaking contexts
• Ability to learn new skills with eagerness and versatility
• Knowledge of one or more World Languages in addition to English

Benefits :

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness :

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior / adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development :

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness.

More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations.

We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.