Wisconet Data Infrastructure Developer

Over the past three years, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has led the expansion of the Wisconsin Environmental Mesonet, or Wisconet ( wisconet.wisc.edu ), a network of 80 weather and soil monitoring stations. We are looking to hire a developer with extensive experience building data infrastructure platforms to support our application programming interfaces (APIs), manage meteorological data ingestion pipelines, and maintain database and server infrastructure for high-volume weather data processing. This is a unique opportunity to join a high-performing web team and support a diverse group of end users.

The successful candidate will make enhancements to existing and code new APIs and data processing scripts. They will work with Wisconet staff to identify and resolve issues with data continuity, data anomalies, and calculation bugs. Further work would include maintenance and operation of backend platforms, including handling DNS configurations, performance optimization of SQL queries, ensuring reliability of scripts, managing database connections, and documenting processes. They will work with interdisciplinary teams to bring weather and soil data to Wisconsinites.

We are looking for a team player who loves making data accessible!

Additional Details:

This position is full-time, 100%, and is considered terminal, with a scheduled end date of December 31, 2027. This position may have the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.

This position will primarily work onsite and have the ability to work up to two days per week remotely. Remote work requires an approved remote work agreement (RWA). An RWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Evaluates and implements open source and commercial products to meet project needs

• Designs, develops, and deploys web applications and integrate databases based on relevant website coding scripts

• Serves as a subject matter expert, consultant, and main point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding website and application options, design, maintenance, and support

• Investigates, resolves, and recommends solutions to website problems and performance issues such as speed of access

• Contributes to website strategy and recommends changes to leadership

• Monitors website use and trends, status of projects, and reviews work for completion/quality, Click the "Apply" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Cover Letter

• Resume

Applicants are required to attach both a cover letter and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced in the position description. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. Applicants that do not submit all materials or do not clearly show that they meet the requirements will no longer be considered.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial criminal and/or caregiver background check.

• At least two years' experience using object-oriented Python to develop and maintain APIs for large datasets and integrate with external data providers
• At least two years' experience working with Amazon Web Services, with emphasis on EC2, S3, and RDS
• At least two years' experience using Linux command line to manage servers
• At least two years' experience working with databases and SQL for large datasets, * Experience working with Python in a scientific context
• Experience with unit testing
• Familiarity with versioning applications such as Git or SVN
• Familiarity with AI for code assist, such as Claude, Copilot, or Gemini
• Experience engaging with stakeholders
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Fascination with learning new tools, languages, philosophies, and workflows

Education:

Associate's Degree - Preferred Minimum

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field is highly preferred.

Starting salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Well-qualified applicants can anticipate receiving a minimum offer of $75,000, with final salary based on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).