Position Description

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to understanding our users and devoted to making it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn, and work through the effective use of information technology. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines ? and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment.

This is a fully benefited, full-time Harvard University position that has been funded through 6/30/26. There is the possibility of renewal, contingent on funding, university priorities and satisfactory job performance.

The Library Technology Services (LTS) team at Harvard University is seeking an inquisitive and motivated Software Engineer to join a high-performing portfolio team which focuses on development and implementation of world-class solutions to fulfill the mission of the Harvard Library: to advance scholarship and teaching through the collection, creation, application, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge. This is an ideal opportunity to work at the intersection of scholarship and technical innovation, and in an organization that values creativity, collaboration and diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

Reporting to the Manager of Architecture & Engineering for Discovery, this role will be responsible for the design, development, maintenance, and evolution of the technology suite that supports the preservation, discovery, and access to Harvard Library?s collections. The Engineer typically works as part of a portfolio team to implement critical enterprise solutions. The Engineer may serve as technical lead on development projects, teams, and programs.

As a member of the Discovery Portfolio team, the responsibilities of this role are focused on a suite of products that enable the exploration and?reuse?of Harvard?s incredible collections for researchers around the globe. These solutions include:

• infrastructure for the delivery of millions of images and other digitized materials
• discovery platforms for archival materials, curated digital collections, geospatial data
• presentation applications for people to view and engage with digital materials and its associated metadata
• services that manage the digital record of preservation of rare and unique materials
• contributions to support community development of open-source software
• integration with artificial intelligence services to augment discovery and exploration of collections

Solutions are designed to support large-scale, high-throughput usage patterns. They are driven by API interactions and asynchronous messaging models comprised of tightly scoped microservices. The team primarily develops new services in Node, Python, Ruby, and React.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to work with one of the largest and most diverse digital collections and media in the world, spanning scholarship, literature, audio, video, fine arts, maps, botany, music, astronomy, etc.

Principle Responsibilities:

• Participate in the software development life cycle and in strategic planning for the application portfolio(s)
• Research, design, and implement technical solutions to deliver business requirements
• Identify opportunities to improve and simplify applications portfolio and implement related enhancements
• Contribute to creation and maturing of software development best practices and new technologies
• Draw on relationship and technical skills to act as technical liaison to internal and external clients and to mentor junior staff
• Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT technical standards, policies, and Code of Conduct

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of five years? post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Expert knowledge and demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following software development frameworks or languages: Python, JavaScript, NodeJS, React
• Strong knowledge of
  • and experience with queue- and API-based application architectures
  • server and storage architectures, as well as cloud-based solutions; including authentication, authorization, account provisioning, identity management, and directory services, and proven experience designing systems that integrate with / incorporate these services
• Knowledge of
  • information technology applications, processes, software and equipment
  • key trends in digital developments in research libraries including open source community projects, bibliographic standards, metadata schemas, digital repositories, and artificial intelligence
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results in a complex and demand-driven environment
• Experienced with Agile methodologies, processes and tools
• Sophisticated understanding of how information is organized and used to support the academic and research missions of a university
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Accessibility:
Harvard University welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request an accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Return to Search Results