Senior Software Engineer – Mobile Development (Android)

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

2d • $105,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The City of Philadelphia Office of Innovation and Technology (OIT) is seeking a Senior Android Developer to lead the design, development, and maintenance of high-quality Android applications that support City services and operations. The role works with product managers, designers, backend engineers, and City department stakeholders to deliver secure, accessible, user-centered mobile experiences, and influences the mobile development lifecycle from technical discovery and architecture through implementation, testing, deployment, and ongoing iteration.

The position requires strong Android engineering expertise, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to building digital tools that improve the lives of Philadelphia residents, businesses, and City employees. The successful candidate must become a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire and must submit a cover letter with the application. The posting also requests evidence of at least one Android app developed and deployed to Google Play, and demonstrated React Native proficiency through a portfolio or work samples.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of professional Android development experience.
• Strong proficiency in Kotlin, Android Studio, and modern Android frameworks, including Jetpack, Compose, and Coroutines.
• Experience building and deploying applications to the Google Play Store or through enterprise distribution.
• Experience integrating RESTful APIs and working with backend services.
• Familiarity with agile or iterative development processes.
• Strong understanding of mobile architecture, design patterns, and performance optimization.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Deep understanding of modern Android development principles and mobile UX patterns.
• Strong proficiency in native Android development, with a focus on Android platform optimization.
• Understanding of Android fundamentals, including Activities, Fragments, Services, and Content Providers.
• Experience with the Gradle build system and Android SDK tools.
• Knowledge of Material Design principles and Android UI/UX best practices.
• Understanding of the Android app lifecycle, memory management, and performance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic public-sector environment.
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusive design.
• Ability to mentor and support other engineers.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to debug complex mobile applications.
• Familiarity with Google Play Console and app store submission processes.
• Experience with version control systems, preferably Git.
• Understanding of RESTful APIs and mobile app security best practices.
• Knowledge of automated testing frameworks for mobile applications.
• A broad enough understanding of modern mobile platforms and common architectures to support the team.
• Understanding of differences in supported hardware and features across mobile devices.
• The successful candidate must be a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.
• Applications must include a cover letter; applications without one will be considered incomplete.
• Must have developed and deployed at least one Android application to the Google Play Store.
• Must demonstrate React Native proficiency through a portfolio or work samples.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor’s degree is a good foundation, though job-related experience may be accepted instead.
• Prior team leadership or seniority.
• Knowledge of server-side programming languages such as Node.js (TypeScript).
• Experience with command-line tools and shell scripts.
• Knowledge of web application security concerns and mitigation.
• Knowledge of SQL and relational databases such as PostgreSQL, Oracle, or MSSQL.
• Knowledge of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Knowledge of containerization.
• Experience with automated test and deployment pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain advanced Android applications using Kotlin and modern Android frameworks such as Jetpack Compose.
• Lead technical architecture decisions and establish Android development best practices.
• Collaborate with product, design, and backend engineering teams to define requirements and deliver features.
• Translate user needs and business goals into scalable, maintainable mobile solutions.
• Work with UX/UI designers to implement designs optimized for Android platforms and conventions.
• Ensure applications comply with Google Play Store guidelines and submission requirements.
• Write clean, maintainable code that follows Android development best practices and coding standards.
• Integrate Android applications with APIs, backend services, and City data systems.
• Ensure applications meet accessibility, security, and performance standards.
• Conduct code reviews, mentor junior developers, and contribute to engineering excellence across the team.
• Implement automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and monitoring tools to support reliable deployments.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues across the mobile stack.
• Stay current with Android technologies, tools, and best practices, and advocate for continuous improvement.
• Support agile delivery practices, including sprint planning, standups, and retrospectives.
• Communicate progress, risks, and technical decisions to technical and non-technical audiences.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Wellness program with eligibility for a discounted medical plan.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Retirement savings options.
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Eligible City employees can receive free SEPTA transit through the SEPTA Key Advantage Program.
• Tuition discounts and scholarships through partnerships with local colleges and universities, with savings of 10% to 40%.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior