IBM i Platform Engineering Lead — Remote

Avalara, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Avalara, Inc. is seeking a Lead Software Engineer (iConnector) to guide the IBM i software development kit connectors, ensuring reliability for customers and partners using IBM i systems.

You will drive the delivery plan, mentor a team, and coordinate with Product Management and Engineering to align investments with customer needs and revenue goals. You will also support sales and partners with technical demos and questions, maintain documentation, and push for high-quality, well-tested releases

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or Engineering.
• 10+ years of relevant software engineering experience, including hands-on experience with IBM i systems.
• 3+ years of people management experience, including coaching, performance management, and team delivery ownership.
• Experience with RPG IV (ILE RPG), both free format and fixed format.
• Experience with Control Language Program, systems analysis, application development, project management, change control, process improvement, documentation, training.
• Some experience with Open-Source functionality on IBMi (e.g. PASE runtime, Python, Node.js, PHP, Git, nginx, OpenSSH).
• Experience leading software delivery across design, build, test, release, and production support.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop direct reports who design, build, test, release, and support Avalara’s IBM i software development kit connectors.
• Own the IBM i software development kit delivery plan, including priorities, commitments, risks, and communication with Product Management and Engineering stakeholders.
• Ensure connector releases meet quality, reliability, and supportability expectations before they are made available to customers and partners.
• Drive timely resolution of customer escalations by coordinating engineering analysis, clear communication, and durable fixes.
• Support Sales, partners, and customer-facing teams with IBM i technical expertise, including product questions, demos, and solution guidance.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and knowledge-sharing practices that reduce single points of knowledge and improve support readiness.
• Partner with Product Management and business stakeholders to align IBM i connector investments with customer needs, revenue protection, and cost per order goals.
• Identify and evaluate new IBM i connector opportunities, including electronic invoicing applications, that expand Avalara’s value for IBM i customers and partners.
• 12-Month Success Signals: Existing IBM i SDK connectors remain stable, customer escalations resolved within service expectations, cost per order controlled, delivery plan for new opportunities created, knowledge transfer strengthened, direct reports show ownership and release discipline.

Skills

Leadership

IBM i experience

RPG IV (ILE RPG)

Team coaching

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or Engineering

Tools

PASE runtime

Python

Node.js

PHP

Git

nginx

OpenSSH

Job description

Avalara, Inc. is seeking a Lead Software Engineer (iConnector) to guide the IBM i software development kit connectors, ensuring reliability for customers and partners using IBM i systems.

You will drive the delivery plan, mentor a team, and coordinate with Product Management and Engineering to align investments with customer needs and revenue goals. You will also support sales and partners with technical demos and questions, maintain documentation, and push for high-quality, well-tested releases