Contract Software Developer Remote Jobs in Phoenix, AZ

Universal Background provides industry leading people insights to safety sensitive organizations in a simplified experience through our best-in-class background screening, drug testing, occupational health, and verification services. We are proudly ranked as an industry leader in quality and service delivery.

Job Summary:

The Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality software applications and systems. This role requires hands-on technical expertise across the .NET framework, multiple database platforms, and AWS data warehousing solutions, along with proficiency in modern AI-assisted development tools. The ideal candidate is a strong individual contributor who can work both independently and collaboratively with cross-functional and distributed teams to deliver reliable, scalable software solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Software Development & Architecture

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable, maintainable applications using .NET framework and related technologies

• Write clean, well-documented code following established coding standards and best practices

• Design and optimize database schemas across SQL and NoSQL platforms

• Support and contribute to data warehousing solutions using AWS services

• Ensure application performance, security, and reliability

• Participate in architectural discussions and contribute technical recommendations

Database & Data Management

• Design queries and optimize database performance

• Contribute to ETL processes and data pipelines

• Ensure data integrity and compliance with relevant standards

• Assist with database migrations and version control

AI-Assisted Development

• Use AI coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude, Cursor) to accelerate development and improve code quality

• Apply effective prompting techniques for code generation, debugging, and refactoring

• Review and validate AI-generated code for accuracy, security, and maintainability

• Stay current on emerging AI development tools and share learnings with the team

Project & Delivery

• Collaborate with product managers and senior engineers to define requirements and priorities

• Participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily standups, and retrospectives

• Debug and troubleshoot issues across development and production environments

• Contribute to testing efforts, including unit and integration testing

• Document technical specifications and maintain system documentation

• Support cloud-based applications and services, helping monitor performance and resolve incidents

Collaboration & Communication

• Work closely with cross-functional teams including product, QA, DevOps, and business stakeholders

• Participate in code reviews and contribute to improving overall code quality

• Communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Collaborate effectively with onshore and offshore team members across time zones

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for process improvements and automation

• Support CI/CD pipeline usage and DevOps practices

• Contribute to post-mortem analyses and apply learnings to future work

Required Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent practical experience

Experience

• 2+ years of professional software development experience

• Hands-on experience with the required technology stack

• 1+ years of hands-on experience using AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot, Claude, Cursor, or similar platforms

Technical Skills

• Working proficiency in .NET Framework (.NET Core, ASP.NET, C#)

• Understanding of object-oriented programming, design patterns, and SOLID principles

• Experience with RESTful API design and development

• Familiarity with front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, modern frameworks)

• Experience with relational databases (SQL Server, MySQL, or PostgreSQL); exposure to NoSQL platforms (e.g., MongoDB) a plus

• Basic understanding of AWS or Azure cloud platforms

• Familiarity with version control systems (Git, GitHub, GitLab, or Azure DevOps)

• Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools (code suggestions, completions, chat/refactoring features)

• Understanding of AI tool limitations, security considerations, and best practices

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Entity Framework or other ORM tools

• Familiarity with AWS services (Redshift, S3, Glue, Lambda, EC2) or Azure equivalents

• Exposure to dimensional modeling or data warehousing concepts

• Relevant certifications (AWS, Azure, database, or Scrum/Agile)

Key Competencies

• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Attention to detail and commitment to code quality

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team

• Adaptability and willingness to learn new tools and technologies

• Ability to collaborate across time zones and with distributed team members

Additional Skills

• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and practices

• Basic knowledge of containerization (Docker) a plus

• Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies

• Familiarity with collaboration tools (Jira, Confluence, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom)

Special Requirements:

• Must be available for 24/7 on-call responsibilities, including weekends and holidays.

• Must be proficient in the English language, both written and verbal.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds.

Selected candidates will be required to pass a comprehensive background check and drug screening. Universal Background is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment Visa. Universal Background is committed to creating a diverse work environment and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.