Under limited supervision, the Senior Software Integrations and Development Engineer serves as a technical expert representing the IT Division on systems integration and development, deployment, and maintenance while coordinating with lead development/integrations staff and management staff where appropriate. The role also plays a vital part as a technical expert in implementing commercial software and software development projects. This includes coordination and communication with other team members throughout the software development life cycle.

This role leverages experience with ETL tools, data flow architecture, cloud-based development (AWS, etc.), API development, data warehouse integrations, and LAMP-based application development. The role is also expected to interpret end-user functional requirements to define application and data flow needs to ensure compatibility with existing environments and support ongoing implementations as required.

Expected to act as a project manager, or expert while involved in projects for internal and commercial software implementations. Also expected to act in a leadership role with team members for training and development on new technologies, data flow changes, tool implementations, development needs etc., to allow for more junior staff to operate in conjunction with this role's implementations.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces diverse perspectives and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community comprises a diverse and talented group of individuals, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Software Data Integrations & Application Development

• Data integrations require knowledge working with SOAP and REST APIs, utilizing ETL tools such as xPlenty(integrate.io), and experience working with full data flows across applications, databases, platforms, and data warehouses.
• Collaborates with team members and data warehouse staff to design and implement required data flow needs for apps, reports, and integration requirements.
• Develops new and supports existing applications on LAMP(PHP) platforms using Laravel, MySQL, Bootstrap, and other related technologies. Additional skills required include experience with Ajax, JavaScript, Java, Python, Oracle, Docker, and cloud deployments via AWS, Vercel etc.
• Coordinates with IS team members to develop and drive the adoption of new programming and data-related practices. This includes peer code review when appropriate, development feedback sessions, training sessions on new data and development technologies, and overall guidance on the full development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with IS members on tool usage for code repositories and on implementing new automated testing practices for cleaner code deployment.
• Responsible for collaborating with varying staff responsible for SSO/DUO/AD/Azure/Entra and similar identity-related services to ensure they have the data needed from HR systems of record for employee data management and coordinating related data flow management from systems of record.

Business Process Analysis

• Has a high level of experience translating developed functional requirements into technical specifications to be used in the adoption of commercial software solutions and, when necessary, the design of new software applications, data solutions, or the modification of existing applications.
• Based on user requirements and knowledge of existing systems, provide alternatives or improvements to the solutions requested.
• Anticipate technical needs based on understanding the overall organization and how related tools and data flows may impact operations.

Project Management

• Acts as a project manager for all levels of selected projects, from simple to highly complex.
• Acts as a technical expert on large-scale Institute-wide deployments.
• Provides technical feedback when requested by internal team members or end users.
• Develops schedules for the development and implementation of assigned projects. Expected to partner with management and senior staff to drive resource allocation.
• Multiple projects may be in varying stages at any given time, and planning is expected to be balanced accordingly.
• Coordinate with IS team members around scheduling needs when their inclusion is required on projects owned by this role.

System Administration

• Develops and maintains application and database backups, security processes, etc., while collaborating with management and senior staff to ensure processes meet business needs and are implemented within a team environment.
• Leads upgrades, patches, and/or performance tuning on production environments.
• Monitors application and server performance for preventative purposes and provides recommendations based on experience for capacity planning.
• Collaborates with management, IT, and fellow IS team members to ensure that system environments are optimal for the needed solutions.
• Administers Filemaker Pro while continuing to transition enterprise data sets to alternate solutions while maintaining existing functionality.
• Participation in current and future cloud deployments and related integrations. Includes vendor interactions, team training, technology evaluations, etc.

Application Support and Testing

• Provides escalated support capabilities to other team members for Institute applications and data sources.
• Evaluate various collaboration opportunities with other team members to improve application testing and ensure smoother code deployments.
• Trains team members on automated application testing-related technologies.
• Responsive to end-user issues reported, fixes, follow-up, and clear communication on resolution steps.
• Provides clear and regular communication to needed stakeholders on project updates, application changes, outages, etc. as required.
• Relay user support requests to management as needed to allow for appropriate resourcing while providing technical expertise as input.
• Expected to grow application testing capabilities for improved releases.

• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What we Require

• Minimum 10 years of progressively complex data integrations, ETL, or data warehouse-related experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education is required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the use of standard software testing practices, test automation, defect tracking, and related tools.
• Experience with team-based structured project management and standard project management principles
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, or a combination of education and experience or equivalent years of related experience.
  • Advanced degree in a related field preferred.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $100,000 to $140,000 annually. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.