Software Engineer/Developer

UW-Madison College of Engineering; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The TOPS Lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s College of Engineering seeks a Software Engineer/Developer I to design, build, and support large-scale transportation systems. You’ll work with engineers, researchers, and external partners to shape system requirements and deliver impactful features.

You’ll contribute to implementation, performance, and clear technical documentation, in a collaborative research environment with real-world impact.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of professional software development experience.
• Proficiency in Java and front-end technologies (HTML/CSS/JS).
• Experience with databases such as Oracle, PostgreSQL, or MSSQL.
• Experience across the software development lifecycle from requirements to maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Reviews design specifications, codes new applications, and enhances existing apps.
• Implements data structures and system performance strategies.
• Maintains and troubleshoots applications, systems, or websites.
• Prepares documentation and training requirements.
• Tests and debugs programs and prepares test data.
• Develops specifications for low‑complexity projects using disciplined software practices.

Skills

Java

HTML/CSS/JS

Object-oriented design

Databases

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Spring/Hibernate

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Software Engineer/Developer I

Job Summary:

The TOPS Lab, part of the College of Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is dedicated to improving transportation safety and mobility through innovative research, partnerships, and applied technology solutions. As part of the lab’s Information Technology Research and Development group, this position contributes to impactful, real-world systems developed in collaboration with partners such as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). The Software Engineer/Developer I/II will play a key role in supporting and enhancing these mission-critical systems.

In this role, you’ll work closely with experienced engineers, researchers, and external stakeholders to design, build, and support large-scale applications that make a difference in transportation safety and efficiency. You’ll collaborate with a diverse team of staff, faculty, and students to help shape system requirements and bring new features and improvements to life. The position also offers opportunities to contribute to system implementation and deployment, ensure performance and reliability of production systems, and create clear, effective technical documentation that supports long-term success. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys applying their technical skills in a collaborative, research-driven environment with real-world impact.

The Software Engineer/Developer I/II assists in design, development, testing, debugging, maintaining, and supporting TOPS Lab systems and applications.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Prepares program documentation and training requirements
• Maintains and troubleshoots applications, systems, or websites
• Implements data structure and systems performance strategies
• Reviews application design specifications, codes new applications, and makes enhancements to existing applications
• Develops or modifies technical specifications for low-complexity projects using disciplined software development practices
• Tests and debugs programs, and prepares systems test data

Additional Information

• Applicants for this position will be considered for Software Engineer/Developer I and Software Engineer/Developer II titles. The title and compensation will be determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Reviews application design specifications, codes new applications, and makes enhancements to existing applications
• Implements data structure and systems performance strategies
• Maintains and troubleshoots applications, systems, or websites
• Prepares program documentation and training requirements
• Tests and debugs programs, and prepares systems test data
• Develops or modifies technical specifications for low-complexity projects using disciplined software development practices

Department:

College of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering - Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory (TOPS)

Compensation:

Starting salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Well-qualified applicants can anticipate earning between $70,000 - $85,000, with final salary based on experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of professional software development experience in a business or production environment.
• Proficiency in using Java programming language
• Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with experience using modern front-end frameworks or libraries (e.g., Bootstrap, React, Angular)
• Proficiency in object-oriented design and programming.
• Experience with databases (e.g., Oracle database, PostgreSQL, MSSQL).
• Experience working across the software development lifecycle including requirements, architecture, design, development, testing, documentation, and maintenance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with backend Java frameworks such as Spring or Hibernate
• Experience in JUnit and integration testing frameworks
• Experience using front-end mapping libraries such as Leaflet, OpenLayers, or Google Maps API.
• Experience with collaborative workflows and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated success working in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Education:

Bachelor's degree in computer science of related field preferred.

Contact Information:

Barry Crook
Department Administrator
[e-mail]

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin