Lead Software Developer

Description

• Define and own the end-to-end technical architecture for SANS’s next-generation e-learning platform, including content delivery, learner experiences, virtual labs, and commerce infrastructure. • Make binding architectural decisions on system decomposition, API design, data modeling, event-driven patterns, and cloud-native infrastructure—with full accountability for outcomes. • Establish and enforce architectural standards, design review processes, and technical governance across multiple engineering teams. • Lead build-vs-buy evaluations and vendor technical assessments for platform components (LMS, CMS, payment systems, identity providers). • Integrate APIs and tools that support SCORM, xAPI, LTI, and other interoperability standards for learning management systems (LMS). • Directly lead and mentor a team of senior and mid-level engineers, with accountability for their technical growth, career development, and performance. • Conduct architecture reviews, code reviews, and design critiques that raise the engineering bar across the organization. • Recruit, evaluate, and onboard senior engineering talent; actively shape the team’s composition and capabilities. • Foster a culture of engineering excellence: rigorous testing, observability, documentation, and continuous improvement. • Serve as a technical escalation point for complex engineering problems across teams. • Partner directly with Product, UX, Cybersecurity SMEs, and executive leadership to translate business strategy into technical roadmaps. • Communicate architectural decisions, trade-offs, and technical risk to non-technical stakeholders with clarity and conviction. • Drive alignment across competing priorities between product, infrastructure, security, and operations teams. • Present technical strategy and progress to VP/C-level audiences; build confidence in the engineering organization’s ability to deliver. • Navigate organizational complexity—influence without authority, build consensus, manage technical debt negotiations. • Architect scalable, maintainable, and secure systems that support thousands of concurrent learners and complex content delivery pipelines. • Enhance user engagement through interactive course features, virtual labs, and real-time feedback mechanisms. • Implement robust data and security practices, including encryption, authentication, zero-trust patterns, and compliance with privacy standards. • Champion DevOps maturity: CI/CD automation, infrastructure as code, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and deployment best practices. • Drive analytics capabilities to measure learner progress, engagement, platform performance, and business outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field. • 10+ years of professional experience in software development, with at least 5 years in a senior architect, principal engineer, or equivalent technical leadership role. • Demonstrated experience building and shipping e-learning platforms, EdTech products, or content commerce platforms from 0→1 at meaningful scale. • Track record of leading platform-level technical transformations—migrating monoliths to microservices, re-platforming, or building greenfield systems that replaced legacy infrastructure. • Expertise in full-stack development using technologies such as JavaScript/TypeScript, React, Node.js, and Python. • Strong understanding of learning content standards (SCORM, xAPI, LTI) and integration with LMS and CMS environments. • Hands-on experience with cloud-based architectures (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and scalable containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes). • Proven track record of building secure, high-availability web applications. • Deep understanding of database systems, API design, and microservices architecture. • Strong knowledge of secure coding principles, including data protection and authentication mechanisms. • Proven ability to manage, mentor, and develop engineering teams of 5+ engineers, including performance management, career development, and hiring. • Experience operating as a technical partner to product and executive leadership—translating business objectives into architectural decisions. • Demonstrated stakeholder management skills: presenting to VP/C-level audiences, navigating competing priorities, and building cross-functional alignment. • Must have unrestricted authorization to work in the USA, as no visa sponsoring is available.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary, bonus opportunities, and a 401(k) plan with company match. • Robust medical, dental, and vision plans; company-provided short term disability; optional long-term disability, supplemental life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents; voluntary benefits including accident insurance and identity theft protection; fitness and wellness programs; and a company paid employee assistance program (EAP). • Generous paid time off, including volunteer time. • Access to professional development and SANS training opportunities.

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