Application Developer

Position Summary:

The Application Developer independently handles a range of development tasks for custom applications and integrations at Vanderbilt University Information Technology (VUIT). They design, code, test, and debug complex software solutions and actively contribute to project planning and requirement analysis. This role requires a solid understanding of software development life cycles, best practices, and university-specific systems. This position mentors junior team members and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project delivery.

About the Work Unit:

Vanderbilt University Information Technology is a human-centric organization that advances our university by delivering innovative solutions and frictionless experiences through collaboration.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Software Development:

• Design, code, test, and debug custom applications and integrations.

• Develop high-quality software solutions following best practices and coding standards.

• Perform unit testing and participate in code reviews to ensure code quality.

Project Planning and Analysis:

• Actively participate in project planning, requirement gathering, and analysis phases.

• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, goals, and deliverables.

• Provide accurate estimates for development tasks and timelines.

Mentorship and Collaboration:

• Mentor and provide guidance to junior developers, fostering their growth and development.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including project managers, designers, and other developers, to ensure successful project delivery.

• Communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders to address any issues or concerns.

System Maintenance and Support:

• Maintain and enhance existing applications to improve functionality and performance.

• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues and bugs in a timely manner.

• Ensure that applications are secure, scalable, and optimized for performance.

On-call Responsibilities:

The position includes rotating on-call duties for after-hours incident response and requests.

Hybrid Work Arrangement:

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, combining on‑campus and remote work. Employees are expected to be on site at least one day per week and for activities that require in‑person presence, such as team collaboration, service delivery, or campus events. Specific on‑site expectations are determined in coordination with the supervisor and must align with departmental needs and institutional policy. Remote work privileges may be revoked at any time.

Supervisory Relationships:

This is an individual contributor position that reports administratively and functionally to the Application Development Manager. 

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent, related experience is necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, software engineering, or related field is preferred. 

Experience and Skills:

• 3-5 years of relevant experience is necessary.

• Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, C#, Python, or similar is necessary.

• Experience with web technologies, frameworks, and databases is necessary.

• Strong understanding of software development life cycles and best practices is necessary.

• Familiarity with university-specific systems and processes is preferred.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail are necessary.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously is necessary.

• Demonstrated commitment to VUIT’s guiding principles is necessary. 

Information Technology’s Guiding Principles:

• Trust and Respect- VUIT cultivates a community built on trust, mutual respect, and inclusivity, where all members feel valued and supported. We prioritize honesty, dignity, empathy, and a willingness to listen and understand. 

• Professionalism- VUIT strives to maintain a culture of maturity, accountability, and integrity to best represent the University and self. Have a sense of humility and poise in your work and daily interactions.

• Collaborate- VUIT commits to being inclusive in solution design where we value sharing within and partnering across the university. We are intentional about including our colleagues and preventing silos. 

• Bias-to-Action- VUIT is seen as a changemaker by exhibiting a decisive, self-starter, take-action approach with a willingness to make decisions without excessive deliberation. Personal initiative is recognized as a key part of the creative process.

• Communicate- Communication (written, verbal and non-verbal), within and outside VUIT, is open, thoughtful, welcoming, clear, proactive, concise yet complete, always honest, and delivered kindly.

• Innovate- VUIT pledges to be bold and challenge the status quo by inspiring a culture of creativity that promotes growth and advancement for the university. 

• Celebrate Each Other- We are intentional in showing appreciation for the work of others by valuing and acknowledging meaningful contributions at all levels of the organization.

• Optimize- VUIT will practice continuous and thoughtful optimization of our solutions and services to increase our human and technological capacity. Capacity drives innovation.