Developer, Software Engineer, Software Development

Department: Education & Social Policy

Salary/Grade: ITS/79

Northwestern's Center for Connected Learning (CCL) and the Net Logo Center, both founded by Professor Uri Wilensky from the Northwestern Schools of Education and Engineering, are looking for a full-time Curriculum Developer and Teacher Educator. If you are passionate about science and the future of science education, this position is ideal for you! Professor Wilensky recently won the prestigious Yidan Prize, largely for his work on Net Logo, and you will be joining a small and dynamic team of dedicated researchers, software developers, and designers building great tools and curricula for STEM and education.

Net Logo is a free award‑winning agent‑based modeling (ABM) software used by educators and scientists around the world for modeling and understanding complex systems across the natural and social sciences. ABM is a way to explore systems by programming many individual “agents” (people, cells, firms, animals, etc.) to follow simple rules. As agents interact, larger patterns‑like traffic jams, epidemics, or market cycles‑emerge.

Net Logo is the most widely used software for ABM across research and education and has been used to help students learn about topics ranging from chemical reactions to economic systems, anything in which many individual parts interact to produce a larger pattern. To learn more, watch an introduction to Net Logo in education (6 min).

We are seeking a developer who develops, codes, tests, and debugs new software or enhancements to existing software. Typically works with senior staff but may coordinate smaller or less complex projects independently. Designs and implements basic technical solutions ensuring that business needs and requirements are met. Performs basic system integration tasks. Provides estimation for assigned tasks.

This is an initial 3‑year term, renewable contingent upon available funding and performance.

• Participates in the development of new goals and strategies based on interactions with primary user.
• Develops plans for software deployment on heterogeneous systems.
• Collaborates with user to develop workflow and best practices.
• Partners with user in designing features for technology.

• Responds to customer inquiries via phone, online, in‑person, etc.
• Creates and maintains code documentation.
• Grants system access to new user.
• Evaluates feature/upgrade/change requests and recommends action.
• Participates in interview process for new hires.
• Identifies database and software performance issues, and makes adjustments.

• Researches and develops new algorithms and statistical techniques designed for analyzing data based on customer needs.
• Develops and maintains software infrastructure, via patches, bundles, releases and maintenance packs.
• Codes software applications adhering to designs supporting internal business requirements or external user.
• Completes tier 3 troubleshooting.
• Designs databases and data structures.
• Prioritizes tasks within project.
• Meets with business analyst/stakeholder to determine requirements.
• Opens tickets with vendors.

Performs other duties as assigned.

• Successful completion of a full 4‑year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in a major such as computer science, information technology, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years relevant experience required.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $85,000 - $90,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent…