Lead Software Engineer

OCLC is revitalizing a flagship SaaS offering, and we’re looking for Lead Software Engineer eager to solve complex, real-world problems. Our global platform serves users and institutions alike, preserving and sharing cultural heritage for current and future generations. This is an extraordinary opportunity to do work that matters in a product with complex technical needs. Challenges include optimizing content delivery speed and scalability for a platform that serves millions of requests a day. Complex metadata management, linked data integrations, and asset processing pipelines await on the backend. Bridging both front and backend are complex search and discovery needs. Delivering on all of these from reliable, scalable, and cost-effective infrastructure will be a hurdle, but also an opportunity to innovate, grow, and demonstrate leadership. If you’re motivated to work on rewarding technical challenges in support of libraries around the world, we’d love to hear from you. Bring your curiosity, your problem-solving, and your drive to build great things in the cloud. Together, we’ll make an impact.

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will be responsible for leading software development initiatives. You will independently design, develop, and test complex software programs and systems. You will also collaborate with team members, mentor junior engineers, and provide technical guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions. You will also collaborate with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define, refine, and implement features and enhancements., * Design and implement complex features and systems.

• Provide technical guidance and expertise to the team.
• Participate in architectural discussions and decisions.
• Conduct code reviews and ensure code quality standards
• Lead large teams and oversee multiple projects.
• Mentor and coach other senior engineers.
• Drive technical innovation and set standards.
• Solve complex technical problems and identify solutions.
• Collaborate with product management and leadership to define product roadmaps.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related discipline, or equivalent work experience.
• 7+ years of software development experience.
• TypeScript: Strong to expert proficiency in TypeScript, with a solid understanding of strict configuration approaches.
• React.js: Strong proficiency with React.js 19+, including a deep understanding of its core principles. Experience with Server-Side Rendering (SSR), React Server Components (RSC), and the Next.js App Router is strongly preferred.
• User Interface (UI) Development: Strong experience delivering new user-facing features by translating designs and wireframes into high-quality, reusable components. Familiarity with Material UI (MUI) v6+ strongly preferred.
• Backend Development: Strong experience building and maintaining server-side applications and RESTful APIs. Python (Django) preferred; equivalent experience in Java or another object-oriented language is acceptable for candidates willing to ramp up on our stack.
• API Integration: Hands-on experience working with RESTful APIs (OpenAPI/Swagger experience a plus). Experience with multi-tenant SaaS or content/metadata-heavy domains is a plus.
• Data & Metadata: Solid understanding of relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred) and working with structured or semi-structured metadata (e.g., JSON/JSONB, configurable schemas, controlled vocabularies, or linked-data concepts).
• Cloud & Distributed Systems: Experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred) and distributed systems-e.g., background job processing, event-driven workflows, or microservices-style architectures.
• Ability to lead and mentor teams.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Experience integrating AI tools, frameworks, and concepts into the software development process.

Working Conditions: Normal office environment.

OCLC is consistently recognized as a best place to work by several independent programs. We recognize and reward people and results with a comprehensive Total Rewards package. This means competitive compensation that reflects your unique contributions-performance, experience, and skills-along with exceptional benefits, including best-in-class health coverage, retirement plans with generous company contributions, and a commitment to your overall well-being.

• We know the best ideas don’t always happen at a desk. Take a walking meeting around our 100-acre campus or enjoy lunch on the patio. We’re committed to your success-both personally and professionally. Hybrid work environment: For many roles, three days a week on-site, with occasional additional days based on business needs.

• Free use of our on-site fitness center, gym sports, group exercise classes, and game room

• Onsite catering and cafeteria subsidized by OCLC

• Health and wellness events

• Work environments with individual and team spaces and the latest technology tools

• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance

• Tuition reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

• Company-subsidized pricing on local tickets and memberships

At OCLC, we build technology with a purpose: to connect libraries and make knowledge accessible worldwide, because we believe that what is known must be shared. Our teams work with complex global datasets, AI and machine learning, hybrid cloud solutions, and other technologies that connect people and organizations to the information they need. We value the power of unique perspectives and experiences to unlock innovation. At OCLC, your ideas matter, whether you have two years of experience or 20. You’ll learn, create, and problem-solve with technologists, product developers, librarians, researchers, marketing pros, and support teams around the world.