Software Development Engineer (US Federal)

Workday, Inc.; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday, Inc. in Boulder, CO is seeking a Software Development Engineer in IDX Search to build scalable search experiences across web, mobile, and Slack.

You will write robust code using React, Kotlin, and Elasticsearch, while collaborating with product and UX teams to deliver high-quality features and ensure performance and security. The role offers hybrid work and opportunities to mentor others on a fast-paced team.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of OO design and programming for enterprise software.
• 1+ years frontend experience with RESTful apps in React.
• 1+ years in PROD service support and deployments.
• 1+ years with Docker, Kubernetes, Gradle, Jenkins.
• 1+ years in deployment technologies (Terraform, YAML).

Responsibilities

• Write and maintain robust, efficient, testable code with React, Kotlin, and Java stacks.
• Support production services from frontend to backend and assist teammates.
• Design features with focus on scalability, performance, monitoring, security and quality.
• Collaborate with product, UX, design and research to solve user challenges.
• Lead and mentor teammates; manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
• Suggest product and pipeline improvements and drive implementation.

Skills

OOP Design

Java/Kotlin

Spring Boot

React

Prod deployments

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

React

Kotlin

Webflux

Elasticsearch

TypeScript

Cypress

CI/CD

Jenkins

Gradle

Workday XO

Job description

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

We are a distributed team that builds cloud-scale services that power the Workday users search experience for millions of users every day across the world. Our mission is to build a scalable search experience platform to enhance findability and discoverability that powers seamless experiences across multiple surfaces, including web, mobile, and slack. We use modern technologies, clean code, and automated testing to ensure long-term success. If you're passionate about enhancing user experiences, thrive in a full‑stack environment, and take pride in high‑quality code, join our dedicated, high‑performing team.

About the Role

We're seeking driven problem solvers who thrive in a fast‑paced environment, delivering customer value quickly and making an impact. Ideal candidates will be exceptionally strong individual contributors, self‑stters who tackle complex problems, create innovative solutions, and mentor others. You'll collaborate with Product Managers, UX, design, and research to solve real user challenges. As a Software Development Engineer in IDX Search, you will:

• Write and maintain robust, efficient, and testable code using top‑tier languages, frameworks, and tools, including React, Kotlin, Webflux, Elasticsearch, TypeScript, Cypress, CI/CD, Jenkins, Gradle, and Workday XpressO (XO).
• Support services and customers in the production environment in specific environments from frontend to backend.
• Support other engineers on the team.
• Design and lead meaningful features with a strong focus on non‑functional requirements. (scalability, performance, monitoring, maintenance, security, usability and quality etc).
• Be a flexible teammate as part of a fast‑paced product development team.
• Suggest enhancements for the product and build pipelines.
• Operate as a self‑starter who can effectively manage numerous projects simultaneously, meet aggressive deadlines, and thrive in a multifaceted environment.
• You can expect a high‑profile position on a great team with many challenges and rewards.

About You

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Object-Oriented Design and Programming experience building enterprise‑level software with a focus on performance, scalability and security as part of a multi‑functional team. (Kotlin/Java/spring boot or functional programming background preferred)
• 1+ years experience in front‑end development; creating RESTful Web applications, developed within the React ecosystem.
• 1+ years experience in supporting services in PROD environments.
• 1+ years experience in building technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, Gradle and Jenkins.
• 1+ years experience in deployments technologies. (Terraform, yaml are preferred)

Other Qualifications:

• Bachelor's/Master's in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Knowledge of Workday XpressO and Internal Code Lifecycle Development in Workday is a plus.
• Demonstrable track record in technical leadership - people, product & process.
• Proficient in producing high quality technical documentation.
• Experience developing distributed and concurrent systems; secure, fault tolerant, highly available, recoverable, consistent, scalable, and predictable and the tradeoffs therein.
• Strong focus on performance, scalability, and security of services.
• Experienced in collaborating with diverse teams in a fast‑paced, Scrum‑based environment.
• Proven troubleshooting and triaging skills to resolve escalated production and customer issues.
• Skilled in turning ambiguous problems into clear solutions.
• Able to balance priorities and communicate cross‑functionally.
• Strong written and verbal communication with technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Familiarity with multiple programming languages and paradigms is a plus.

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

• The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below.
• Workday pay ranges vary based on work location.
• As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role‑specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants.
• Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process.
• Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things.

Primary Location: USA.CO.Boulder

Primary Location Base Pay Range: $130,400 USD - $195,600 USD

Additional US Location(s) Base Pay Range: $123,900 USD - $222,000 USD

Additional Considerations: The application deadline for this role is the same as the posting end date stated as below: 09/30/2026

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in‑person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in‑office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision‑making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodations, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email [e-mail], as far in advance as possible.

Workday will never ask candidates to apply to jobs through websites that are not Workday Careers. Please be aware of sites that may ask for you to input your data in connection with a job posting that appears to be from Workday but is not. In addition, Workday will never ask candidates to pay a recruiting fee, or pay for consulting or coaching services, in order to apply for a job at Workday.

Workday is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Workday are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Further, pursuant to applicable local ordinances, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.

You may view the Workday's Pay Transparency Policy, and Know Your Rights Notice, by clicking on their corresponding links.