"Alerted.org

Software Engineer II - (Backend) - Digital Asset Preservation and Access

**Department:** Digital

**Employment Type:** Full Time

**Location:** Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

**Reporting To:** Sarang Joshi

**Compensation:** $90,000 - $100,000 / year

Description

This is not a remote role. This role requires work in the NYC office a minimum of three days a week

Overview

We are seeking a Software Engineer II to join the Digital Asset Preservation and Access (DAPA) team, which powers NYPL’s Digital Collections (https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/) , providing our patrons access to archival materials, special collections, and other significant materials in NYPL’s collections. This role will involve building and maintaining patron-facing interfaces and complex ingest pipelines to support internal workflows.

The successful candidate will collaborate and have a significant impact within a small but dedicated cross-functional team, with the opportunity to help inform and implement our technical strategy for this project.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

**Own** :

+ Development, shipping, and maintenance of features with guidance from experienced engineers

+ Code review processes that follow engineering standards and practices

+ Quality of feature implementation and associated testing strategies

+ Technical discussions within their area of expertise

**Teach** :

+ Help onboard and mentor junior engineers

+ Share knowledge of our systems and best practices

+ Provide constructive feedback in code reviews

+ Document architectural decisions and technical approaches

Learn:

+ Gain an understanding of NYPL’s archival metadata standards and digitization processes

+ How to break down features into manageable tasks

+ Project planning and estimation techniques

+ Leadership skills through mentoring opportunities

**Improve** :

+ Feature design and implementation approaches

+ Code review effectiveness and feedback quality

+ Technical documentation practices

+ Collaboration with other engineering teams

Some expectations for this role are that within:

**1 month** , this person will:

+ Take ownership of existing features

+ Begin participating in technical discussions

+ Start providing meaningful code reviews

+ Understand our development practices and standards

**3 months** , this person will:

+ Lead the implementation of small features with guidance

+ Actively contribute to software design discussions

+ Show proficiency in our technical stack

**6 months and beyond** , this person will:

+ Successfully deliver features with minimal guidance

+ Propose and implement technical improvements

+ Consistently provide valuable technical mentorship

+ Take on increasingly complex feature work

Responsibilities

+ Design, develop, and maintain features with guidance from senior engineers

+ Perform thorough code reviews that help maintain code quality

+ Participate in software design for features and bug fixes

+ Provide technical guidance to junior engineers

+ Write and maintain comprehensive technical documentation

+ Contribute to architectural discussions

+ Implement and maintain test suites

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education and Certifications

+ Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field

+ OR equivalent practical experience

Required Experience

+ 2-4 years of hands-on development experience with at least one backend web framework

Required Skills

+ Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

+ Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python preferred)

+ Proficiency with testing methodologies and test automation

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills

+ Ability to break down features into tasks

+ Understanding of CI/CD pipeline configuration and maintenance

+ Proven ability to work effectively in team environments

+ Experience providing constructive code reviews and addressing feedback

+ Familiarity with Git for everyday use (basic branching, merge / rebase, conflict resolution, etc)

+ Ability to create and maintain thorough technical documentation

+ Working knowledge of basic DevOps practices and tools

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

+ None

More...

Core Values

_All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:_

+ Be **Helpful** to patrons and colleagues

+ Be **Resourceful** in solving problems

+ Be **Curious** in all aspects of your work

+ Be **Welcoming** and **Inclusive**

Work Environment

+ Office setting

+ Hybrid work environment - Requires work in NYC office three days a week

Physical Duties

+ Limited physical effort is required

+ May require travel within NYC

Pre-placement Physical Required?

+ No

Schedule

+ Hybrid work environment - Requires work in NYC office three days a week

+ Monday - Friday; 9AM - 5PM

Union/Non Union

+ Non-Union

FLSA Status

+ Exempt

_This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed._

_The New York Public Library_** **_Salary Statement_

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).