Software Engineer

Essential Functions

This role is primarily focused on backend development with opportunities to work across the full stack to support project needs. You will lead and mentor a team of associate software engineers ensuring adherence to development best practices City standards and secure coding guidelines. Responsibilities include reviewing code in our Git-based workflow writing unit and integration tests monitoring applications after launch and providing ongoing support for applications built by you and your team. You will also collaborate with stakeholders at OIT and other departments as part of our agile development process.

Core Technical Requirements:

• Strong experience designing and building APIs for modern JavaScript and mobile clients with clear opinions on API interfaces and implementation.
• Proficiency Core (3.x or greater).
• Deep experience collaborating with developers using Git/GitHub and participating in structured code review processes.
• Experience with preferred; experience in React or Angular will also be considered.
• Strong belief in test-driven development: if it isnt tested it isnt done.
• Comfort with troubleshooting debugging and researching complex or obscure issues.
• Ability to interpret incomplete requirements ask clarifying questions and deliver effective solutions.
• A holistic perspective on projects with the ability to anticipate challenges remove blockers and take ownership of outcomes.

Application Design & Development

• Develop and maintain secure scalable and efficient web-based applications following SDLC best practices and OIT guidance.
• Gather requirements design solutions code test and document software systems.
• Review and provide constructive feedback on code written by colleagues and vendors.
• Proactively identify application inefficiencies and propose enhancements.
• Create and maintain development frameworks reusable libraries prototypes and technical specifications.
• Ensure applications are accessible user-centered and aligned with City security standards.
• Participate in project timeline development and resource planning.

Collaboration

• Represent the DPD Software Development Team in cross-departmental meetings working sessions and external engagements.
• Partner with project managers stakeholders and colleagues to clarify requirements manage expectations and resolve issues.
• Contribute to agile ceremonies and ensure transparency in project progress.

Providing Expertise

• Evaluate and recommend software solutions development tools and emerging technologies for departmental use.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to software vendors during product development or implementation.
• Contribute to procurement discussions by providing subject-matter expertise.
• Recommend long-term software and application strategies to the IT Director.
• Create and maintain system and architecture diagrams for supported applications.

Other Duties

• Participate in DPD and OIT project review processes including security and architecture reviews.
• Ensure compliance with City cybersecurity privacy and data management policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• Completion of a bachelors degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in Computer Science a related engineering field or equivalent experience boot camps / alternative pathways are okay; we care more about what you can do than where you learned how to do it.

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a technical role
  • Experience in Web or software development or design a plus
  • Experience providing technical support to a wide variety of applications a plus

Experience working in a large governmental or non-profit agency is a plus; in particular knowledge of Planning or Housing operations and/or the City of Philadelphia.

Knowledge of and Skills in:

• Full-stack web application development technologies and best practices.
• Web accessibility standards (WCAG/Section 508) responsive design principles and cross-browser/platform compatibility.
• Database systems and query optimization (MS SQL Server Postgres).
• Development environments source control (Git/GitHub) and modern DevOps practices (CI/CD pipelines).
• Agile software development methodologies and iterative project delivery.
• Cloud computing concepts services and deployment models (AWS preferred).
• Networking fundamentals application hosting and performance optimization.
• Secure coding practices cybersecurity principles and data privacy standards.
• Content management systems information architecture and user-centered design.
• Data visualization and analysis tools and techniques.
• Technical writing documentation and system/architecture diagramming.
• Software/UI/UX design principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Troubleshooting debugging and root-cause analysis.

Experience with the following technologies is a plus:

• .NET Core (3.x or greater).
• JavaScript frameworks ( preferred; React or Angular considered).
• AWS services (Fargate Lambda S3 CloudFront CloudWatch etc.).
• CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions or comparable tools.
• IIS web server administration.
• MS SQL Server or PostgreSQL databases.
• QuickBase application development.
• Development work with GIS/Mapping software

Ability to:

• Communicate technical and non-technical concepts clearly both verbally and in writing to diverse audiences.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams of varying seniority and technical expertise.
• Work independently with minimal supervision while also thriving in team-based environments.
• Manage multiple projects prioritize tasks and deliver high-quality work within deadlines.
• Interpret complex requirements from written oral diagrammatic or schedule-based sources.
• Adapt to changing priorities and respond effectively to urgent issues including occasional evenings/weekends for critical problem resolution or deployments.
• Apply analytical and creative problem-solving skills to design and implement effective solutions.
• Commit to continuous learning professional development and staying current with emerging technologies and best practices.

Additional Information :

Salary Range: $70000-$85000

Salary Range cannot exceed $85000

All applications must include a cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will be considered incomplete. 

Did you know
We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer : 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities

We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
Employees receive paid vacation sick leave and holidays
Generous retirement savings options are available

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
Effective May 22 2023 vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses doctors emergency medical personnel) must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race
ethnicity color sex sexual orientation gender identity religion national origin ancestry age disability marital status source of income familial status genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at or send an email to faqpchr @. For more information go to: Human Relations Website:
Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time