Federal Tax Advisory R & D Software Engineer STEM Senior Analyst EDGE HDG #1221

The opportunity

As an EY STEM Senior Analyst you will partner with other STEM team members as well as EY Tax professionals from across the globe to assist clients in identifying and documenting activities and expenses that qualify for various R&D and innovation-related incentives. Our clients span all industries and are performing some of the most cutting-edge research on the planet. If you want to be exposed to exciting research and development initiatives in product development manufacturing natural resources pharmaceutical and other high-tech engineering fields this role is for you!This opportunity is ideal for individuals with relevant qualifications or experience in engineering science and/or technology who wish to leverage and apply their technical skills in a new way. This role will suit experienced and enthusiastic individuals who are driven to learn about new technologies and industry trends widentheir technical knowledge and have broader client and commercial exposure. This is not a developer postion.

The successful candidate will get the opportunity to work as part of a growing and dynamic specialist practice with a diverse team of highly successful tax and science/engineering/technology specialists

Your key responsibilities

As an EY STEM Senior Analyst focused on Software & Technology you will engage with industry leaders across the software ecosystem to discuss cutting-edge digital products cloud architectures platform engineering AI/ML models cybersecurity solutions data-driven systems and modern software development methodologies. You will collaborate with startups mid-market innovators and large public technology companies to evaluate and help prepare their R&D and innovation-related incentives.

Many of these incentives such as the U.S. Research Credit are designed to encourage companies to invest in innovation and research-driven software activities. To qualify clients must demonstrate that their work involved technical uncertainty experimentation and iterative software development. As an EY STEM Senior Analyst you will leverage your software engineering background and industry experience to help clients document and substantiate their qualifying activities.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Applying your knowledge of software engineering including application development cloud services data engineering systems architecture DevOps AI/ML testing frameworks and platform optimization during client discussions to identify qualifying R&D activities.
• Drafting detailed technical narratives that clearly explain clients software development objectives constraints technical challenges design alternatives and iterative testing activities.
• Collaborating within a multidisciplinary team of tax professionals attorneys scientists engineers and technologists across the globe.
• Reviewing technical write-ups prepared by junior team members providing detailed feedback to ensure accuracy clarity and alignment with IRS guidance and industry best practices.
• Analyzing complex technical documentationsuch as architecture diagrams user stories sprint records design docs API specifications test reports version control histories and development roadmaps to extract relevant information and assess the qualifying nature of software activities.
• Supporting our Tax colleagues during IRS audits by preparing clear and defensible technical documentation and participating in discussions with IRS engineers and technologists.

Skills and attributes for success

• Strong understanding of software engineering principles and practices including application development systems design cloud architectures SDLC methodologies (Agile/Scrum) prototyping testing frameworks DevOps and modern software development tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a strong emphasis on clear and structured technical documentation.
• Creative problem-solving and technical writing abilities that allow you to identify articulate and explain clients software R&D and innovation-related activities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams including engineers data scientists and tax professionals.
• Ability to offer practical and solution-oriented approaches when navigating complex technical environments.
• Strong critical thinking skills including the ability to ask targeted probing questions to uncover detailed information and ensure the delivery of high-quality technical work products.
• Ability to manage client expectations and communicate project needs timelines and constraints clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task balancing multiple engagements while meeting deadlines.

To qualify for the role you must have

• A STEM undergraduate or masters degree in computer/software engineering or computer sciences.
• 2 years of experience in research and innovation-related incentives or 3 years of leveraging your STEM background in industry or a combination of both.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with a demonstrated ability to work independently while simultaneously managing multiple projects.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel Word PowerPoint and Teams.

Ideally you will also have

• Professional licenses masters degrees in related fields (e.g. information systems science engineering green incentives accounting valuation business administration law etc.).
• Professional designations including Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP); Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) from the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE); Engineer in Training (EIT); Professional Software Engineering Master (PSEM) Certification; Professional Software Developer (PSD) Certification; Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute (PMI); or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
• MBA or Master of Taxation degrees.
• Enrolled Agent.

What we look for

• Accelerate your technical capabilities and transformative leadership skills with future-focused courses and development programs.
• Broaden your horizons by working on highly integrated teams across the globe and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds both professionally and culturally.
• Bring out the best in yourself with continuous investment in your personal well-being and career development.
• Develop your own personal purpose and help us create a positive ripple effect on our teams our business clients and society building a better working world together.