Associate Software Engineer

CDK Global seeks an Associate Software Engineer in Austin, TX (hybrid) to build and ship automotive retail software using modern AI-based development workflows. The role focuses on writing production-ready code with verification, security, and maintainability, while applying AI tools in a cost-conscious and policy-aligned way.

Role Responsibilities

• Build and ship production software using modern AI-based development workflows, moving from AI-assisted coding to delegating well-scoped tasks to advanced AI systems.
• Write clear specifications, technical plans, and acceptance criteria that humans and AI systems can execute against.
• Own the correctness, security, and maintainability of delivered work through rigorous review, testing, and validation of AI-generated code.
• Prevent exposure of credentials, customer data, or proprietary code to unapproved tools.
• Keep codebases lean by resisting AI-generated bloat, unnecessary dependencies, and over-engineering that would slow future velocity.
• Use AI development resources cost-effectively, treating compute and tooling spend as engineering constraints to optimize.
• Develop deep expertise in automotive retail, including how dealerships operate and how consumers buy, to improve the effectiveness of AI system direction.
• Solve problems of moderate scope with increasing independence and sound technical judgment.
• Experiment with and share new AI development techniques and workflow improvements with the team.
• Plan and prioritize personal work with a decreasing need for day-to-day direction, while building relationships across engineering, product, and design.
• Participate in on-call rotations and emergency response to maintain platform reliability.
• Follow CDK Global policies and procedures, including responsible AI usage guidelines and completion of all mandatory compliance tasks.
• Meet or exceed performance expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, with 0–2 years of professional experience.
• Experience with NodeJS, ReactJS, and AWS Cloud.
• Strong command of at least one programming language and core CS fundamentals to evaluate and improve AI-generated code.
• Ability to read and reason about code not written by you, including identifying bugs, edge cases, security issues, and design problems.
• Excellent written communication to describe problems and designs precisely.
• Genuine curiosity about AI-based development demonstrated through coursework, projects, hackathons, or independent experimentation.
• Verification mindset: skeptical of unvalidated output, rigorous testing before trusting, and understanding that security cannot be bolted on later.
• Self-motivated fast learning capability, adapting as tools change.
• Collaborative problem-solving with the ability to work effectively both independently and in teams, driving issues to timely resolution.

Technologies

• NodeJS
• ReactJS
• AWS Cloud

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Matching Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Hybrid Work Location

• The role requires a mix of days in CDK’s Austin, TX office, with the ability to work remotely on remaining days.
• Candidates must reside within commuting distance of the Austin office.

Compensation

Base Salary Range: USD 85,000 to 95,000 per year. The total compensation package may also include an annual performance bonus, benefits, and/or other applicable incentive compensation plans.

Preferred Qualifications

• Substantive personal or academic projects using AI development tools, including the ability to explain what worked, what failed, and what was learned.
• Experience with Spec-Driven Development (SDD), Kafka, and Mongo.
• Exposure to version control, code review, automated testing, and CI/CD.
• Experience across a modern full stack (mobile or web front ends, backend APIs, databases, cloud).
• Interest in building software used by business operators and consumers.

Additional Policies and Legal Information

• Non-Discrimination: Essential functions must be performed satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be provided for disabilities absent undue hardship.
• Role Flexibility: CDK retains the right to change or assign other duties as needed.
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future employment-based visa sponsorship.