Senior Software Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the largest nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty, disease, and inequity globally. Founded on the principle that everyone deserves the opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives, the organization emphasizes the importance of diversity among its employees to reflect the global populations it serves. It offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage without premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, retirement contributions, regional holidays, and opportunities for employees to engage in various communities. The organization is committed to fostering an environment that supports both personal and professional growth.

Job Overview:
The position of Senior Software Engineer is situated within the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM) at the Gates Foundation, which plays a pivotal role in global health initiatives aimed at eradicating infectious diseases. The IDM team is composed of research scientists and software engineers who collaborate to develop computational modeling tools that inform health policy and decision-making. The Senior Software Engineer will be integral to the Rapid Reuse Modeling group, focusing on the Starsim framework for agent-based disease modeling. This role involves implementing advanced dynamic models and analytical pipelines that contribute to significant public health outcomes. The engineer will work closely with global health policymakers and collaborate with researchers and engineers to enhance disease burden reduction strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Software Engineer will be responsible for several key tasks:

• Collaborating with IDM’s research teams to identify challenges and limitations in current modeling and analytical processes.
• Designing, implementing, testing, and deploying next-generation models in partnership with both internal teams and external collaborators.
• Researching and developing AI-based tools to enhance model development and improve accessibility and equity in disease modeling.
• Integrating solutions from various scientific disciplines, including computer science, economics, and computational biology, to address health and development issues.
• Leading the creation of global public goods such as open-source software and contributing to academic publications.
• Working with other software engineers and researchers to share knowledge and promote best practices.
• Continuously improving codebases through major rewrites and refactoring as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a blend of scientific and software engineering expertise. This includes degrees or experience in computational science, as well as proficiency in software engineering practices. Preference will be given to candidates with health-related backgrounds, particularly those with experience in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Exceptional proficiency in Python is required, while familiarity with R, C++, or Rust is advantageous but not mandatory. Candidates should also have experience with software development lifecycle practices and tools such as GitHub and Azure DevOps, as well as a track record of contributing to open-source software projects and research publications.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have a strong educational background in fields related to computational science or software engineering. This may include degrees in computer science, software engineering, or related disciplines that provide a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of software development and scientific research.

Experience:
Candidates should have a demonstrated level of experience that reflects a blend of scientific knowledge and software engineering skills. This includes hands-on experience in software development, particularly in open-source environments, and a proven ability to engage with complex scientific problems. Experience in health-related projects, especially those that involve low-resource settings, is highly desirable.

Languages:
While English is the mandatory language for this position, proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial, particularly those relevant to the regions served by the organization. This could enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and contribute to the effectiveness of global health initiatives.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Seattle, WA, and qualifies for relocation benefits. The salary range for this role is between $186,400.00 and $288,800.00 USD, with adjustments for high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C. New hires typically start within the range minimum and midpoint, depending on their skills and experience. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, and the organization is committed to providing accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the application process. The organization values diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants.