Software Engineer I, Frontend - Scholarly eBooks

The New York Public Library•New York, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The New York Public Library (NYPL) is seeking a versatile Software Engineer who has the foundational ability to write high-quality code and deliver well-defined tasks. This role would primarily focus on frontend web development, but would require close collaboration with backend engineers to deliver time-sensitive projects. The role’s primary focus will be on launching the NYPL’s first-ever AI discovery tool. This project aims to integrate Generative AI and Large Language Model (LLM) technologies into the NYPL's existing infrastructure. We are dedicated to building a web-based interface that prioritizes the user experience while upholding the high ethical standards expected of a renowned institution. Beyond this initial launch, you will integrate into the wider NYPL Digital workstream, acting as a vital bridge between technical teams and organizational stakeholders to drive digital innovation. You will work closely with our Product and Design teams to drive an agile development cycle. As a key contributor, you are expected to take ownership of the frontend, not only executing on requirements but also proactively contributing creative ideas and technical insights to enhance the user interface and overall experience. We are looking for someone we can count on to: Own: Generate, break down, and deliver well-defined tasks independently Write, test, and document code according to engineering standards Debug and fix issues across development, test, and production environments Take responsibility for the quality of their code through thorough testing and documentation Teach: Share learnings from completed tasks with the team Document solutions and contribute to team knowledge base Present their work clearly in code reviews and team meetings Learn: Our technical stack, development practices, and coding standards How to write maintainable, testable code Best practices for debugging and troubleshooting How to break down complex tasks into manageable pieces Improve: Their technical skills and programming practices The quality of their code reviews and documentation Their ability to estimate and deliver tasks Team processes through constructive feedback Some expectations for this role are that within: 1 month, this person will: Complete the onboarding process and set up their development environment Begin contributing to small, well-defined frontend tasks Start participating in code reviews and team meetings Familiarize themselves with our codebase and development practices 3 months, this person will: Independently complete well-defined tasks with appropriate guidance Actively participate in team discussions and code reviews Show understanding of our development workflow and practices Begin identifying and proposing solutions to technical issues 6 months and beyond, this person will: Demonstrate consistent ability to break down and deliver tasks independently Contribute meaningfully to technical discussions Show improvement in code quality and delivery speed Begin taking on more complex tasks with guidance

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field or a related discipline
OR 2 years of equivalent practical experience, including a minor, related certificates, or relevant academic or extracurricular activities in such a field
0-2 years of hands-on experience with web development (including but not limited to JavaScript/TypeScript, React, Next.js, Python, Flask)
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Good written and verbal communication skills
Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies
Proficiency in at least one programming language
Familiarity with client-server web architectures & web app development principles
Familiarity with CI/CD concepts
Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git)
Understanding of Debugging and troubleshooting skills
Understanding of code review practices and etiquette
Understanding of testing principles & methodologies