Senior Software Architect/Engineer
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join Harvard University Central Administration?
Harvard University's Central Administration (CADM) is a 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university's overall excellence by understanding and serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through dynamic and collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality and efficient services to the schools to help them achieve their goals.
Job Description
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of IT professionals committed to understanding our users and devoted to making it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn, and work through the effective use of information technology. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in collaboration and innovation across disciplines and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique, service-focused environment. If you are technically proficient, nimble, user-focused, and accountable—and thrive in a collaborative team environment—we are looking for you!
Reporting to the Associate Director who leads the technical team within the Research Administration and Compliance Solutions group, the Senior Software Engineer/Architect supports the delivery of university-wide systems, solutions, and services with a focus on research administration, research compliance, and research management. This position is focused on the Grants Management Application Suite (GMAS), Harvard’s enterprise system of record for sponsored programs. Working in an Agile environment, the role provides opportunities to drive architectural design decisions, lead development initiatives, and collaborate closely with technical and business partners.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the technical architecture, detailed technical design, and development of Java/JEE software modules and components.
- Lead small project teams (2–3 developers) through requirements analysis, technical design, development, and enhancement of new and existing software modules.
- Contribute equally to the design and development of core architectural components, UI and Java components, and back-end database models.
- Mentor junior developers and champion engineering best practices through design and code reviews.
- Collaborate with business analysts and QA to clarify project scope, specifications, and alternative solutions.
- Evaluate industry best practices and emerging technologies relevant to the application stack.
- Contribute to and apply project-wide standards, tools, and processes.
- Participate in a rotating on-call support schedule for Research administration and compliance applications.
More About HUIT:
Our Mission: huit.harvard.edu/about
We empower the Harvard community with essential and transformative technologies to advance education, knowledge, and discovery.
HUIT’s core values are:
- Human-centered
- University-focused
- Innovation-driven
- Team-oriented
IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Minimum of five years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
Required Essential Knowledge and Skills:
- 3+ years of experience in the design and development of Java/JEE enterprise applications. Strong core Java/JEE skills are essential.
- Experience with full software lifecycle: requirements, analysis, design, development, testing, and deployment.
- Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
- Ability to translate business requirements into technical design and implementation.
- Experience designing UI and Java components and defining back-end database structures.
- Familiarity with multi-tier application architecture and integration.
- Current technical experience must include:
- Java/JEE technologies (4+ years): JSP, Servlets, JDBC, JMS, and JEE frameworks such as JSF (PrimeFaces) and Spring.
- Web Services: SOAP and RESTful APIs; experience with Apigee API Gateway strongly preferred.
- ORM & Data Layer: Hibernate, SQL, PL/SQL, and data modeling (Oracle preferred). Familiarity with APEX/ORDS.
- Scripting: Python and/or Shell scripting experience a plus.
- XML: Schema development and validation.
- UI: Hands-on experience with JSF/PrimeFaces within enterprise applications.
- Application Servers: BEA's WebLogic and Tomcat.
- Development platforms: Windows, Unix and Linux.
- Experience with Maven, Git (preferred) or Subversion, and CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI).
- Additionally, the ideal candidate will be committed to producing excellent software, will be a self-starter and will be committed to delivering projects on-time.
- Experience with additional programming languages, e.g., Shell scripting will be considered a plus. The aptitude and desire to be a "hands on" contributor is essential.
- Familiarity with WCAG 2.1 AA standards for web accessibility.
The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.
- The demonstrated ability to learn new technologies is highly desirable.
- Experience with developing an API’s using Apigee platform considered a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field—or equivalent practical experience.
Certificates and Licenses:
- Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred.
Additional Information
- Standard Hours/Schedule: Monday - Friday: Support planned production releases, occasionally during extended hours or weekends.
- Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
- Pre-Employment Screening: Identity
- Other Information:
Please provide a cover letter and resume as one document with your application.
This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.
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Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Salary Grade and Ranges
This position is salary grade level 058. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information.
Benefits
Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
- Generous paid time off including parental leave
- Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
- Retirement plans with university contributions
- Wellbeing and mental health resources
- Support for families and caregivers
- Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
- Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks
Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement
Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.
Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.