Senior Developer

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California Information Technology Services seeks a Senior Developer to design, build, and advance software solutions that support USC’s research community. This hands‑on role emphasizes solving complex problems, automating workflows, and delivering secure portal functionality for researchers handling sensitive data.

You will partner with ITS and research data teams to translate requirements into robust software features, while embedding security and quality controls

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent.
• 5 years in information technology, software development, or related fields.
• Experience with ML/AI integration (LLM APIs, embeddings, vector DB) and serverless cloud architecture.
• Proficiency in web programming with modern frameworks (React, Next.js, Angular, Django) and secure coding practices.
• Foundational knowledge of security concepts and ability to write test cases for code.
• Strong written and oral communication and ability to collaborate with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with faculty and researchers to translate goals into high‑quality software.
• Design and develop web apps, workflows, and data pipelines in HPC and cloud environments.
• Incorporate ML/AI tools to improve service efficiency and performance.
• Build scalable applications that evolve with changing requirements.
• Translate business requirements into practical software features with ITS teams.
• Embed security standards and compliance into development processes.

Skills

ML/AI integration

Web development

Security best practices

Testing and Quality

System comprehension

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

React

Next.js

Angular

Django

LLM APIs

Serverless cloud architecture

Job description

The University of Southern California (USC) Information Technology Services is seeking a Senior Developer to design, develop, and advance software solutions that support USC’s technology and research community. This is a hands‑on opportunity to solve complex technical problems, build scalable applications, automate workflows, and help shape technology that supports researchers working in increasingly sophisticated computing environments. You’ll play an important role in USC’s expanding secure computing initiative, including development of the user portal that will support researchers working with sensitive and regulated data. The broader environment is being developed to serve research projects with heightened security and compliance requirements, creating an opportunity to build technology with meaningful university-wide impact. Working with ITS colleagues and university stakeholders, you’ll translate business and technical requirements into reliable software features and services. You’ll also partner closely with research data expertise on the team to turn complex research workflows into streamlined digital processes, reducing manual steps and making secure computing services easier for researchers to navigate. If you enjoy building software, untangling complex systems, improving how technology works for users, and serving as a senior technical resource to others, this is an opportunity to bring your engineering expertise to technology that enables USC’s research and institutional mission.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Work closely faculty, researchers, and stakeholders on the campus, translating scientific goals into high-quality SW applications.
• Design and develop web applications, workflow, and data pipelines in HPC and Cloud environment in collaboration with research teams.
• Integrate ML/AI tools and technologies into SW development workflow to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and performance of services.
• Design, develop, and maintain scalable software applications and solutions that perform reliably upon implementation and can evolve with changing university and business requirements.
• Translate business requirements and technical specifications into effective software features and services in partnership with ITS and university stakeholders.
• Develop and enhance technology supporting USC’s secure computing initiative, including user portal functionality and automated workflows defined in partnership with research data and technical teams.
• Embed security standards, procedures, quality analysis, testing, and university compliance requirements into software development workflows and solutions.
• Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement efforts to identify system issues, resolve defects, and improve application performance and reliability.
• Support project and task planning, technology standards, process improvements, and customer-focused solutions aligned with ITS objectives and university needs.
• Mentor and guide team members and peers by sharing technical expertise, problem‑solving methodologies, frameworks, training resources, and current industry best practices.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• 5 years in information technology, software development, engineering, or relevant fields.
• Experience with ML/AI integration (working with LLM APIs, embeddings, and vector DB), experience with serverless cloud architecture.
• Proficiency in web programming with modern frameworks (React, Next.js, Angular, and Django, etc.), Knowledge of web security best practices.
• Foundational knowledge of security concepts, secure code development techniques, and the development and configuration of software solutions.
• Ability to understand and work with large, complex systems, write test cases for new and existing code to ensure compatibility and stability, and provide detailed information and summaries to peers and supervisors.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to establish strong, positive working relationships and rapport with various groups of team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or a related field.
• Eight years of experience in information technology, software development, engineering, or relevant fields.
• Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, and supporting scalable software applications within large, complex technology environments.
• Experience translating complex business, operational, or research workflows into maintainable software functionality and automated processes.
• Strong knowledge of secure software development practices, application security concepts, testing, quality assurance, and software configuration.
• Experience designing test cases and troubleshooting complex systems to improve software compatibility, stability, reliability, and performance.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex or conflicting information, identify root causes, and develop sustainable technical solutions.
• Experience collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders to understand requirements, evaluate customer needs, and communicate technical approaches and recommendations.
• Experience mentoring developers or technical peers and contributing to engineering standards, technical documentation, problem-solving frameworks, or training resources.
• Experience working in higher education, research technology, research computing, or another large, complex organizational environment.

USC Unifying Values Statement

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well‑being, open communication, and accountability.

Compensation, Benefits, & Working Conditions Pay Transparency Statement

The annual base salary range for this position is $147,494.24 - $160,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Benefits Statement

To support faculty and staff well‑being, USC provides benefits‑eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC's comprehensive benefits here.

Equal Opportunity & Background Check Statement

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
• Additional Education Requirements: Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• Minimum Experience: 5 years in information technology, software development, engineering, or relevant fields.
• Minimum Skills: Foundational knowledge of security concepts, secure code development techniques, and the development and configuration of software solutions. Ability to understand and work with large, complex systems, write test cases for new and existing code to ensure compatibility and stability, and provide detailed information and summaries to peers and supervisors.

Preferred Education & Experience Requirements

• Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems or in related field(s)
• Preferred Experience: 8 years
• Preferred Skills: Experience in higher education.

Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Notice of Non-discrimination Employment Equity Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report USC is a smoke-free environment Digital Accessibility.

USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles - a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.