Software Engineer I - Full-Stack

About the Role

Join WGU to contribute towards expanding access to higher education through innovative online, competency-based degree programs. WGU values a diverse workforce dedicated to supporting student success and creating impactful futures for individuals and communities.

Pay Range: $98,300 - $147,400

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, deploy, test, and maintain both frontend and backend application functionalities.
• Be responsible for small segments of the overall system architecture under team leadership guidance.
• Create modern user interfaces utilizing JavaScript, TypeScript, Angular, and related web technologies.
• Develop backend services and APIs employing Node.js, TypeScript, NestJS, or similar server-side frameworks.
• Work with relational databases, third-party APIs, cloud services, and external platforms.
• Convert both functional and non-functional requirements into effective designs, maintainable source code, comprehensive testing, and thorough technical documentation.
• Identify and address gaps, risks, ambiguities, and insufficiencies in requirements with practical solutions.
• Implement test strategies that balance product quality, timely delivery, maintainability, and development costs.
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, research, debugging, testing, and documentation, while independently verifying output quality and security.
• Participate in code reviews, providing and receiving constructive technical feedback.
• Diagnose issues across multiple application layers using logs, metrics, traces, and diagnostics to determine root causes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Product, QA, Architecture, Security, and Operations teams.
• Communicate updates on progress, risks, dependencies, and technical decisions clearly and effectively.
• Adapt to evolving requirements, technologies, delivery timelines, and architectural changes.
• Contribute to the delivery of solutions that meet scope, schedule, and organizational objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Approximately two years of professional software development experience, including internships or apprenticeships.
• Proficient in building web applications or services using JavaScript or TypeScript.
• Experience with at least one modern frontend framework, preferably Angular.
• Familiarity with Node.js or another backend platform.
• Understanding of API development, HTTP protocols, authentication, authorization, and application integration.
• Experience working with relational databases and capable of writing or troubleshooting SQL queries.
• Knowledge of automated testing methods such as unit, integration, component, or end-to-end testing.
• Solid grasp of software development principles including modularity, abstraction, algorithms, data structures, security, reliability, and maintainability.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and work collaboratively across multiple system layers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, comfortable with ambiguity and independent initiative.
• Effective written and verbal communication abilities.
• Collaborative attitude, responsibility for personal contributions, willingness to seek feedback and continuous improvement.

Experience Equivalency

Relevant professional experience may substitute for formal education on a one-to-one year basis, at hiring manager’s discretion.

Desirable Additional Skills

• Experience with NestJS or other structured Node.js frameworks.
• Background with Python, Django, or similar back-end technologies.
• Familiarity with AWS or major cloud computing platforms.
• Hands-on experience with cloud-native application development and operation.
• Knowledge of modernizing, migrating, or refactoring legacy systems.
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, or infrastructure automation.
• Understanding of application observability including logs, metrics, distributed tracing, and production troubleshooting.
• Working experience with PostgreSQL, Oracle, or other relational databases.
• Knowledge of authentication standards like OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, or SAML.
• Skills integrating third-party systems and enterprise APIs.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted software development tools.
• Experience using Git, GitHub, JIRA, IntelliJ, or Visual Studio Code.
• Exposure to Agile or Scrum delivery methodologies.
• Relevant technical certifications or notable project contributions.

What Success Looks Like

• Taking increasing responsibility across task clarification through production validation.
• Producing clear, maintainable, secure, and well-tested code.
• Utilizing AI and automation to speed development without sacrificing technical judgment.
• Comfort navigating frontend, backend, database, cloud, and operational concerns as experience grows.
• Raising contextual problems, offering pragmatic options, and proposing solutions.
• Adapting effectively to evolving requirements and technology changes.
• Asking for assistance early while demonstrating initiative and independent problem-solving.
• Improving codebases, tests, and documentation continuously.

Additional Details

This is a full-time, regular position (40 hours per week) offering comprehensive benefits including bonuses, medical/dental/vision coverage, mental health support, health savings accounts, life and disability insurance, accident and critical illness coverage, legal support, retirement plans, wellbeing programs, discounted tuition, flexible and generous paid time off including sick leave and parental leave, and holidays.

Equal opportunity employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of protected characteristics. Accommodations are available during application and interview processes.