AI-Enabled Software Engineer

The University of Maine System is looking for a forward-thinking programmer who loves to build things and is genuinely excited about using artificial intelligence (AI) to work faster and smarter. This is a role for someone who picks up an unfamiliar codebase, figures out how it works, and gets things done.

You’ll maintain and extend applications that support roughly 30,000 students across Maine’s seven public universities and the University of Maine School of Law and build new custom tools from requirements through deployment. System-approved AI coding assistants are a regular part of how you’ll work, and you remain responsible for the quality, security, accessibility, and maintainability of everything you ship. 

This is a fully remote position, open to candidates anywhere in the continental U.S., reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).

What You’ll Do

• Maintain, debug, and extend existing web applications built with Node.js and related technologies, taking ownership of unfamiliar or sparsely documented codebases, identifying dependencies and risks, and planning changes with appropriate coordination and documentation.
• Independently analyze and resolve application problems when prescribed procedures aren’t available, using good judgment about when to seek clarification or escalate risks.
• Architect and build custom full-stack web applications from requirements and design through testing, deployment, and ongoing support, including APIs, database interactions, and front-end interfaces.
• Design and maintain data integration pipelines connecting institutional systems, including student information, learning management, and enterprise resource planning systems.
• Write, test, review, and document maintainable code so others can support and extend your applications.
• Use System-approved AI coding assistants as a regular part of your workflow while following institutional requirements for data protection and tool use, and critically review, test, and revise AI-generated code for errors, edge cases, security and privacy risks, accessibility, and maintainability.
• Research emerging AI development tools, recommend practical uses, and demonstrate effective AI-assisted development practices to IT colleagues.
• Monitor and improve the performance, security, accessibility, and reliability of production applications, and explain designs, changes, and technical issues clearly to technical colleagues and non-technical stakeholders.
• Provide the CIO with technical input on AI tools, licensing, API costs, and infrastructure needs to inform technology and budget decisions.
• Coach the AI Software Support Analyst and junior developers on application development and AI-assisted coding practices and supervise or mentor student employees as needed.
• Contribute to institutional software development standards and shared technical practices.

What We’re Looking For

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field — or an equivalent combination of education and experience — plus at least two years of software development experience (professional employment, internships, freelance work, or substantial completed projects).
• Experience building or maintaining server-side applications using Node.js or comparable technologies, and proficiency in at least one modern programming language, such as JavaScript or Python.
• Knowledge of full-stack application design and software development lifecycle, including front-end and back-end development, API design, databases, testing, code review, version control, and deployment.
• Knowledge of secure software development, data privacy, and accessibility principles relevant to institutional applications.
• Skill in diagnosing complex application failures and performance issues in production environments.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work, solve novel problems independently, and seek input or escalate risks when appropriate.
• Clear communication, in writing and conversation, with technical and non-technical audiences, and the ability to collaborate across teams and coach less experienced colleagues.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience maintaining or extending applications developed by others, including code produced with AI assistance.
• Experience deploying or supporting applications on cloud platforms su…