Intro to Position
We are looking for a talented and knowledgeable full stack software developer to join NPR's Research, Archives & Data Strategy department (RAD). RAD colleagues work with all aspects of the storytelling cycle from conception to preservation. We are a cross-functional team of product owners, taxonomists, researchers, archivists, trainers and developers, and we work with everyone at NPR.
This position works exclusively with RAD’s internal products and services, and is tasked with managing and growing their technological capabilities. Our teamwork thrives on agility and continuous improvement in all that we do. The right person for this role is self-driven, learns fast and is a creative thinker who brings their best to a collaborative team role.
As the sole full-time developer for these products, you will have the opportunity to update and improve legacy assets. You will be expected to work on almost all facets of them completely, from adding new features to managing their deployment in the cloud and handling disaster recovery. This is a unique role that encompasses the full scope of web application development: architecting systems, API design, DevOps, front and back end development. Your work will require you to communicate and collaborate effectively with other technologists throughout the organization.
Responsibilities
- Manage all technical aspects of the life cycle development of NPR RAD’s archive, taxonomy and music production products; carry out the gathering, analysis, and development of specifications and requirements as provided by product owners
- Work closely and communicate effectively with RAD product owners and team, thoroughly developing an understanding of how best to work with each of us
- Establish and maintain effective professional relationships and communication with other NPR technologists and external vendors
- Identify and act on ways to improve and align RAD products with other NPR products and services
- Keep current with technological developments and incorporate new knowledge as appropriate
- Write and regularly update documentation to make workflows and outcomes visible
The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
Minimum Qualifications
- 3+ years of professional experience (not including internship) in software development.
- 2+ years professional experience (not including internship) creating and deploying applications/services in a cloud (e.g., AWS, Azure, homegrown)
- 2+ years of professional experience (not including internship) managing NoSQL databases/search engines such as Elasticsearch, Redis, DynamoDB, MongoDB, etc. Experience with Elasticsearch is preferred
- Experience working with a large inherited codebase
- Demonstrated mastery of full-stack JavaScript and Typescript, with experience using Node.js and any front end frameworks such as Angular, Vue.js, React, etc.
- Experience building and maintaining APIs used heavily by other teams internally and/or externally
- Fluency on the Unix command line in various Linux-like environments
- Experience working with a version control system (Git/GitHub preferred)
- Confidence in working with and deploying to production infrastructure (GitHub Actions preferred)
- Ability to create and communicate practical technical designs through PRDs, wireframes, workflow diagrams
- Commitment to crafting well-tested, well-documented and elegantly structured code
- Commitment to standards-based web development
- Ability to professionally flourish alongside and communicate with busy colleagues in a deadline-driven environment
- Demonstrated ability to learn and deploy new skills on the job
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting digital preservation activities in an archives or library environment
- Coordination of engineering work with other teams in a nonprofit and/or large organization
- Additional fluencies in programming languages and frameworks (e.g., PHP, Express, Python)
- Familiarity with using Docker for local development and deployment (e.g., Amazon ECS)
- Awareness of current events and the complexities of news coverage