The University of Michigan is seeking a hands-on Software Developer to join the Center for Academic Innovation’s product engineering team, where you’ll help build and scale the Michigan Online platform for millions of learners. This hybrid role invites collaboration across product, UX, infrastructure, and partnerships, enabling rapid experimentation and delivery in a campus-wide, cross-disciplinary environment.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to fast-paced product discovery through user research, quick prototyping, and experimentation to validate feasible, usable, and valuable solutions
- Produce production-grade code in Python with Django or Flask, and in JavaScript using React or Vue, owning core components such as authentication, APIs, UI, data pipelines, LMS integrations, and payment flows
- Design and deploy scalable solutions that drive measurable outcomes for learners at scale
- Partner with product and engineering leadership to explore opportunities for incorporating AI into internal and learner-facing products
- Apply established technical standards and architectural patterns to support rapid experimentation and continuous delivery
- Troubleshoot production issues that affect learner experiences
- Support cross-functional squads with a focus on learner-facing experiences and innovative learning technologies
- Actively participate in code reviews, promoting software engineering best practices
- Evaluate emerging technologies and prototype solutions to expand possibilities for learners
- Foster strong relationships across CAI and university partners based on trust and shared outcomes
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent mix of education and relevant experience
- 1–3 years of professional software engineering experience
- Enterprise development and production experience with Python and the Django or Flask framework
- Production experience building and maintaining web applications at scale
- Backend experience with REST APIs, microservices, and database design
- Frontend experience with modern JavaScript frameworks such as React, Vue.js, or Angular
- HTML5/CSS and responsive design principles
- Experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB)
- Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle and agile methodologies
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Attention to detail and a commitment to code quality
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and collaborative environment
- Demonstrated willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies to improve processes and outcomes, including AI-enabled tools where appropriate to the role and university policy
Technologies
- Python, Django, Flask
- JavaScript, React, Vue.js, Angular
- HTML5, CSS
- REST APIs, microservices
- PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB
Benefits
- Excellent benefits
- Benefits details at http:// benefits.umich.edu/
Location and compensation
Location: Ann Arbor, MI (hybrid)
Salary: USD 75,000 - 85,000 per year
Education / Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field; 1–3 years of professional software engineering experience
How to apply
A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to gauge alignment with the role. In the cover letter, in two pages or fewer, outline how this role fits your career aspirations and skill set. Please submit both documents as a single file due to system limitations.
