Backend Software Developer Intern Jobs in Madison, WI

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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.
How to Apply:
Successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. The University of Wisconsin-Madison does not participate in the E-Verify program.
Please go to the "Apply Now" area and select your current UW Employment Status. Applicants are required to upload a resume and a cover letter outlining relevant qualifications and experience as it pertains to the required and preferred qualifications outlined in this job posting. Applicants are also required to upload a separate document answering the 2 questions below. Candidates who do not submit all required application materials, will not be considered:
1. Please briefly describe your experience with the following technologies. For each area, provide a response that includes an example of how you have used it in a project, your role in that work, and any key challenges or lessons learned. Responses should not exceed 200 words per section.
Java programming and object-oriented design
Describe a project or feature where you used Java and applied object-oriented principles (e.g., inheritance, abstraction, design patterns).
Front-end web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
Provide an example of a user interface or web application you helped build, including how you contributed to layout, interactivity, or usability.
Relational databases
Describe how you have used relational databases in an application, including which systems (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle) and any experience with schema design, queries, or performance considerations.
Front-end mapping libraries (e.g., OpenLayers, Leaflet, Google Maps API)
If applicable, describe your experience building or supporting mapping or geospatial interfaces. If you do not have direct experience, briefly describe any related experience or your familiarity with these tools.
2. Describe how you approached diagnosing and resolving a software issue reported by a user. In your response, please include:

• The type of issue (e.g., functional defect, performance issue, data inconsistency)
• The tools or techniques you used (e.g., logging, debugging tools, unit tests, monitoring)
• The outcome, including how the issue was resolved and any improvements made

The search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly. References will be requested of final candidates. All applicants will be notified after the search is complete and a candidate has been selected.
Contact Information:
Barry Crook
Department Administrator
barry.crook@wisc.edu
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 Police Department.