Mobile Application Developer

Cornerstone University is looking for a skilled and driven Mobile Application Developer with proven experience in building robust mobile solutions is responsible for designing, developing, maintaining, and evolving mobile applications that support enterprise operations and strategic initiatives. The pace-setting education platform we are designing provides significant opportunity to further grow your skills as an application developer.

• Reports To: Executive Director - Technology and Innovation
• Location: Grand Rapids, MI
• Classification: Full-Time Salaried

This creative role requires precision in native mobile development and versatility in web maintenance. You will be instrumental in implementing new features, maintaining data integrity, and ensuring a seamless student experience across all platforms. The ideal candidate is passionate about delivering exceptional user experiences, writing clean and maintainable code, architecting scalable mobile systems, and embracing continuous improvement. At Cornerstone University, our Christ-centered mission and Biblical confession are the foundation of everything we do, guiding our work and purpose.

SALARY: $75,000 - $80,000. Actual salary will be contingent upon skills, experience, and work approach, with the potential for additional salary for the extraordinary candidate.

Responsibilities – Mobile Application Developer

• Design, develop, test, and deploy mobile applications for iOS (Swift) and/or Android (Kotlin/Java) platforms using modern frameworks such as React Native, with backend integration via .NET technologies.

• Maintain and enhance existing mobile applications, ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and security across devices and operating systems.

• Integrate mobile apps with cloud services, databases (e.g., SQL Server), and third-party APIs, ensuring seamless data flow and user experience. Discern and utilize documentation for enterprise APIs (like Ellucian/Colleague SIS) to facilitate accurate data exchange for registration, grading, and transcript updates.

• Web Portal Maintenance: Maintain and extend the front-end features of the Faculty and Student Web Portals (built in Vue, React, or Angular) to support new functionality.

• Platform & Content Management: Implement solutions related to complex curriculum rules, data synchronization, and managing the flow of content and configuration settings from the CMS (Content Management System) to all client apps.

• Technical Leadership: Serve as a senior technical voice within a small team, helping to triage complex bugs, manage technical support requests, and ensure adherence to best practices.

• Participate in code reviews, write unit tests, and contribute to technical documentation to uphold high standards of code quality and maintainability.

• Support backend systems and database operations as needed, including occasional SQL Server maintenance tasks.

• Troubleshoot and resolve mobile application issues promptly to minimize downtime and ensure user satisfaction.

• Stay current with emerging mobile technologies and development practices, recommending improvements to enhance app functionality and user engagement.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including designers, product managers, and backend developers to gather requirements and translate them into intuitive, performant mobile solutions.

• Respond to after-hours IT emergencies when necessary, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to operational stability.

• Engage regularly with students through projects, activities, and campus settings, serving as a Christian leader and mentor by modeling a gospel-centered lifestyle and ministering through a biblical worldview.

• Perform other duties as assigned, contributing to the broader mission and goals of Cornerstone University and WCSG.

Required Qualifications:

• Senior Level Expertise: 5 years of professional experience in software development.

• Degree: High School diploma required, with a bachelor's in computer science or a technology field preferred.

• Native Mobile Proficiency (Bilingual): Deep expertise in developing and maintaining production applications using Swift (for iOS) and either Kotlin or Java (for Android).

• Web Framework Versatility: Experience with a modern JavaScript framework (e.g., Vue, React, or Angular) sufficient to maintain and extend our existing web portal interfaces.

• Integration Acumen: Proven ability to read, understand, and implement solutions based on detailed API documentation for complex system integrations.

• Architectural Mindset: Ability to evaluate technical trade-offs (quick fixes vs. long-term solutions) and advocate for stable, scalable architecture.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing configuration and feature flags using Firebase Remote Config.

• Familiarity with cloud functions or infrastructure management in Azure (e.g., Azure Functions).

• Prior experience building features related to media playback and synchronization.

• Experience with Ellucian/Colleague or other major Student Information Systems.

Essential Qualifications:

These core commitments convey who we are, what we believe and how we live and work together in community.

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an active Christian commitment.

• A theology that supports the values and mission of Cornerstone University core commitments evidenced by an ability to affirm and sign the university’s doctrinal statement, “The Cornerstone Confession.”

• Four other foundational pillars, along with the university’s mission and confession, form Cornerstone’s Core Commitments.

• The Cornerstone Christian World View

• The Cornerstone Academic Vision

• The Cornerstone Beautiful Christian Community

• The Marriage and Human Sexuality Position Statement

Employees are expected to faithfully attend an evangelical and biblical church whose core beliefs and practices are consistent with Cornerstone’s confession and core commitments.