Backend Software Engineer

Design, develop, and maintain complex web-based applications and related services for the Merlin team based in the Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (CLO), external customers, and funding agencies. Participate actively in the design and evolution of CLO technical infrastructure and hosting platforms, including the transition to more scalable, agile, cloud-based systems. Serve as a technical liaison supporting coordination and integration of application infrastructure to meet CLO strategic objectives. Develop web-based systems, APIs, and database applications utilizing Java, Spring, javascript, enterprise GIS systems, and SQL with a Postgres backend. Stay current on software development and web application best practices and processes.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three (3)+ years of relevant experience working on substantial computer software projects and collaborating with a team of engineers.
• Three (3)+ years of object-oriented programming and modern web application development techniques building and integrating APIs, web services, and frontend user interfaces.
• Three (3)+ years of experience with Java, Spring, and SQL.
• Experience web frameworks such as React, Vue.js, Angular, Next.js, or Nuxt.
• Experience with relational database table design and with writing and optimizing complex queries.
• Experience with containerization using Kubernetes or Docker.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure platforms and services from major vendors such as AWS (preferred) or Azure.
• Experience with continuous integration, deployment, and automation technology such as Jenkins.
• Experience running services on Linux.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g. Git) and modern development workflows (e.g. Agile, Scrum).
• Experience with project management tools such as Jira.
• Proven experience documenting and testing code.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to establish realistic goals and deliver work on schedule, handle multiple concurrent tasks and priorities, and adapt to changing priorities, situations and demands.
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation, and an ability to exercise sound judgment in decision making and in accomplishing tasks that are urgent or of a sensitive or confidential nature.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to build working relationships to solve problems and achieve common goals in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Experience in and/or demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and wellbeing., * Advanced degree in computer science or related field.
• Familiarity with the Linux command-line and experience with shell scripting.
• Experience with highly available, high volume transactional web applications.
• Experience managing large volumes of data for replication, warehousing, and archival storage.
• Prior use and understanding of eBird, Merlin, Macaulay Library or other Cornell Lab tools and resources.
• Interest in birds, nature, conservation, and/or natural science.
• Experience with GIS data and server software such as GeoServer.

• The work location is Ithaca, New York with the possibility of a hybrid work schedule that would be determined by the supervisor. The university reserves the right to modify, suspend, revoke or terminate the hybrid work arrangement at any time.

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits

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• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off

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• Cornell’s impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits

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• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards

  Working at Cornell., Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:

• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
• Unique applicable skills
• Academic Discipline

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Union Positions

The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined in accordance with the rates in the respective collective bargaining agreement. To learn more about Cornell’s union wages, see Union Pay Rates.

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The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a globally recognized leader in technology, data management, and large-scale citizen science supporting birds and biodiversity conservation. We curate more than a petabyte of digital assets, one billion bird sightings, and leverage innovative big data analysis tools and machine learning to produce web applications and services to empower a global community of bird and nature enthusiasts, researchers, conservationists, and educators. We rely on a team of high-performance engineers to help navigate intriguing technical challenges to provide data-driven services, learning platforms, and science communications supporting biodiversity and conservation communities in all corners of the globe. This role will develop technical infrastructure and services that support numerous user-facing applications, including eBird, Merlin, Macaulay Library, and Birds of the World., Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “… any person … any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.