Senior Software Engineer - WGU Labs

Western Governors University•Raleigh, NC

About The Position

The Senior Software Engineer researches, designs, develops, analyzes, tests, and implements software operating or application systems. The role communicates project information to clients, project managers, and other design personnel; maintains effective working relationships; documents work; supports team members in meeting goals and deadlines; and keeps management informed of status and significant problems. The engineer designs, builds, and supports scalable, secure, high-performing software solutions using technologies including React, Next.js, Node.js, and Python frameworks such as FastAPI or Flask. The role provides technical leadership and advice, influences architecture and engineering practices, leads complex initiatives from concept through implementation, and mentors engineers. It partners with cross-functional teams to translate business objectives into technical solutions, identifies risks and dependencies, and improves software quality, reliability, observability, and operations. The position contributes to cloud-native development and modernization, containerization and orchestration, infrastructure as code, application integrations, system scalability, and data-layer design. Technologies mentioned include Docker, ECS, Kubernetes, Terraform, CloudFormation, PostgreSQL, and ORMs such as Drizzle, Prisma, and SQLAlchemy. The engineer applies AI-assisted development practices and may integrate AI/ML services into applications; leads troubleshooting of complex production issues; promotes testing, automation, and data-driven decisions; and explores emerging technologies such as WebSockets and Y.js. This is a full-time, regular position classified for 40 standard weekly hours and eligible for bonuses. Occasional travel of up to 20% is required, including attendance at designated company summits, typically one to two per year. Additional business travel may include conferences and visits to company locations.

Responsibilities

Research, design, develop, analyze, test, and implement software operating or application systems.
Design, build, and support scalable, secure, high-performing software solutions using modern full-stack technologies.
Influence architecture, engineering standards, and best practices across teams as a technical leader and advisor.
Lead complex initiatives from concept through implementation while balancing speed, quality, and maintainability.
Mentor engineers through technical guidance, code reviews, design discussions, and knowledge sharing.
Partner with cross-functional teams to understand business objectives and translate requirements into technical solutions.
Identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities early and help teams navigate challenges.
Improve software quality, reliability, observability, and operational excellence.
Contribute to cloud-native development, containerization and orchestration, Infrastructure as Code, integrations, and system scalability.
Design and work with modern data layers, including PostgreSQL and ORMs.
Apply AI-assisted development practices and integrate AI/ML services into applications.
Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex production issues.
Champion testing strategies, automation, and data-driven decision making.
Explore emerging technologies, including real-time collaboration tools and evolving AI/ML capabilities.
Foster a collaborative engineering culture centered on knowledge sharing, innovation, and continuous learning.
Communicate project information to clients, project managers, and other design personnel; maintain good working relationships; document work; support team goals and deadlines; and keep management informed of status and significant problems.
Travel occasionally, up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits.