Western Governors University · 1 day ago
Principal Software Engineer
SLC Metro Area
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff
$176K/yr - $273K/yr
12+ years expWestern Governors University is committed to expanding access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs. The Principal Software Engineer will coordinate with the executive team to strategize and improve the student experience by developing innovative applications and services, while also providing leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Coordinates with executive team on strategy and long-term road map for cutting-edge applications and services to increase and improve the student experience
Helps achieve higher levels of maturity and delivery of business value via improved communication across the idea intake process
Develops and grooms the idea and product prioritization process and fosters a culture of accountability for on time product delivery, product quality, cost, and operations
Fosters and utilizes innovative approaches to problems and functionality that focuses on students and all key stakeholders
Owns technologies focusing on student success and scalability while supporting student-focused user experience
Establishes a balance between strategic planning and initiatives with development, communication, troubleshooting, and problem solving
Mentors and advises engineering teams on new languages and technologies; acts as a resident expert when needed
Directly intakes ideas originating from university leadership and manages those relationships
Provides leadership and direction for the software engineering group across the University
Clearly communicates the product strategy to the executive team exposing risks and trade-offs
Collaborates with developers, designers, testing, and product management to develop features and innovative approaches to applications and features
Acts as a key stakeholder in the evaluation of potential technologies for use within the enterprise
Evaluates new tools and technologies, create prototypes and proofs of concept, and shares the results with peers
Identifies system redundancies and inefficiencies, proposing innovative and cost-effective solutions
Works with internal customers to gather business processes and project requirements
Performs other job-related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
12 years of experience in software development; pioneering new approaches and technologies in engineering, working in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple teams
Experience in web-based applications and web services using Java, REST, SQL, GIT, and other technologies, including experience integrating third-party products
Expert understanding of the processes associated with software development, including Planning, Measurement, Coding, Testing, Reuse, Tools, Abstraction, Algorithms and Complexity, Security, and basic system understanding
Ability to employ the tools and techniques related to an engineering discipline, such as database management, user interface development, inter-process communications, etc
Ability to create designs that can be realized in code that achieve functional and non-functional requirements of the system. Appropriately uses design patterns, system decomposition, security, and fault tolerance. A demonstrated capability in one or more design methodologies, such as Object-oriented design, Function-oriented design, data centered design and the notations appropriate for each
Ability to understand differences, strengths and weaknesses of various Software Development Life Cycle models, and practical considerations of options
Understands implications of Software as a Service in the creation of software systems. Thinks of and designs for scale, reliability, and cost in a public cloud environment. Uses data and metrics to analyze Key Performance Indicators
Ability to explain the basic value of a system and subsystems to users and how the various subsystems inter-operate to provide features. Able to act as a partner with Operations in solving platform problems at a system level. Knows what the system can and cannot do
Ability to demonstrate a sense of urgency when looking for solutions to problems
Understands the general higher education landscape, particularly with on-line higher education, including competitive landscape, opportunities, and feature gaps
Ability to identify innovative ideas or technologies that represent opportunities to advance the capabilities of the university education platform, our efficiencies in improving out platform, or both. Can leverage change management processes to drive adoption
Ability to make the team stronger and more cohesive
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage others at the right level at the right time. Communicates effectively in group settings by knowing audience, listening effectively, and being responsive. Presents solutions not just problems and effectively manages expectations
Ability to identify, mitigate, or avoid risks and works closely with leads or managers to make sure that such risks and dependencies are understood, accounted, and planned for through an appropriate strategy
Preferred
Master's Degree or PhD in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
Technical Experience in any of the following: GIT, SQL, Spring, Spring boot, Java, Angular 2 or later and AWS Services
Experience with salesforce development lifecycle techniques and salesforce governor limits
Experience with cloud-based telephony, CTI, SIP/VoIP phones and protocols, QoS, IVRs, and call recording
Experience architecting, implementing, and managing enterprise-level contact center solutions
Strong experience with distance education and distance learning students
Technical Certifications
Benefits
Eligible for bonuses
Medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
Health savings account and flexible spending account
Basic and voluntary life insurance
Disability coverage
Accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
Legal and identity theft coverage
Retirement savings plan
Wellbeing program
Discounted WGU tuition
Flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual
Flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual
11 paid holidays
Other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave
Company
Western Governors University
Western Governors University focuses on improving lives by creating pathways to opportunity for its students.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Western Governors University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (6)
2024 (4)
2023 (12)
2022 (30)
2021 (17)
2020 (37)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
Kauffman Foundation
2025-05-08Grant
Leadership Team
Stephen Herzig
Vice President of Enterprise Solutions
Kacey Thorne
Senior Director, Academic Strategic Initiatives
Recent News
2025-12-02
Company data provided by crunchbase