Backend Software Engineer

Cornell University•Ithaca, NY

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a globally recognized leader in technology, data management, and large-scale citizen science supporting birds and biodiversity conservation. We curate more than a petabyte of digital assets, one billion bird sightings, and leverage innovative big data analysis tools and machine learning to produce web applications and services to empower a global community of bird and nature enthusiasts, researchers, conservationists, and educators. We rely on a team of high-performance engineers to help navigate intriguing technical challenges to provide data-driven services, learning platforms, and science communications supporting biodiversity and conservation communities in all corners of the globe. This role will develop technical infrastructure and services that support numerous user-facing applications, including eBird, Merlin, Macaulay Library, and Birds of the World. While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others. The Backend Software Engineer is expected to: Design, develop, and maintain complex web-based applications and related services for the Merlin team based in the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO), external customers, and funding agencies. Participate actively in the design and evolution of CLO technical infrastructure and hosting platforms, including the transition to more scalable, agile, cloud-based systems. Serve as a technical liaison supporting coordination and integration of application infrastructure to meet CLO strategic objectives. Develop web-based systems, APIs, and database applications utilizing Java, Spring, javascript, enterprise GIS systems, and SQL with a Postgres backend. Stay current on software development and web application best practices and processes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Three (3)+ years of relevant experience working on substantial computer software projects and collaborating with a team of engineers.
Three (3)+ years of object-oriented programming and modern web application development techniques building and integrating APIs, web services, and frontend user interfaces.
Three (3)+ years of experience with Java, Spring, and SQL .
Experience web frameworks such as React, Vue.js, Angular, Next.js, or Nuxt .
Experience with relational database table design and with writing and optimizing complex queries .
Experience with containerization using Kubernetes or Docker .
Experience with cloud infrastructure platforms and services from major vendors such as AWS (preferred) or Azure .
Experience with continuous integration, deployment, and automation technology such as Jenkins .
Experience running services on Linux .
Experience with version control systems (e.g. Git ) and modern development workflows (e.g. Agile, Scrum ).
Experience with project management tools such as Jira .
Proven experience documenting and testing code .
Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to establish realistic goals and deliver work on schedule, handle multiple concurrent tasks and priorities, and adapt to changing priorities, situations and demands.
High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation, and an ability to exercise sound judgment in decision making and in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to build working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals in a multidisciplinary environment.
Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion , and wellbeing.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in computer science or related field.
Familiarity with the Linux command-line and experience with shell scripting.
Experience with highly available, high volume transactional web applications.
Experience managing large volumes of data for replication, warehousing, and archival storage.
Prior use and understanding of eBird, Merlin, Macaulay Library or other Cornell Lab tools and resources.
Interest in birds, nature, conservation, and/or natural science.
Experience with GIS data and server software such as GeoServer.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain complex web-based applications and related services for the Merlin team based in the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO), external customers, and funding agencies.
Participate actively in the design and evolution of CLO technical infrastructure and hosting platforms, including the transition to more scalable, agile, cloud-based systems.
Serve as a technical liaison supporting coordination and integration of application infrastructure to meet CLO strategic objectives.
Develop web-based systems, APIs, and database applications utilizing Java, Spring, javascript, enterprise GIS systems, and SQL with a Postgres backend.
Stay current on software development and web application best practices and processes.

Benefits

comprehensive health care options
generous retirement contributions
access to wellness programs
employee discounts with local and national retail brands
health and personal leave
three weeks of vacation
13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
two additional floating holidays
tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
tuition aid for external education
Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program