About Activate Global
Activate empowers scientists and engineers to reinvent our world by bringing their research to market. We partner with leading funders and research institutions to offer the Activate Fellowship, providing the funding, community, mentorship, network, and time that scientists need to become entrepreneurs.
The results are game changing: Activate Fellows have launched 197 new companies since 2015. These companies have raised $4B in follow-on funding, created more than 2,800 U.S.-based jobs, and defined several new market categories. Activate supports fellows in Berkeley, CA; Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; and across the U.S. through Activate Anywhere.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Data Solutions, the Data Solutions Engineer is responsible for extending the usability and integration capabilities of Activate’s data tech stack to meet the needs of end users. This role is also responsible for ensuring that development meets best practices for long term sustainability and scalability. They work closely with the Director of Data Solutions to deliver a cohesive set of tools to end users that support business processes and enhance data quality across platforms.
Primary Responsibilities
CRM & Application Development (50%)
Leads development of application layer across platforms, including existing low code solutions to support key business processes;
- Develops application and UI extensions within technology stack utilizing best practices in development and UX design.
- Effectively translates software development principles for use in low code platforms such as Make and Softr and improves existing low code solutions.
- Works closely with the Director of Data Solutions and stakeholders to ensure that applications are appropriately scoped for the needs of the business.
- Tests technical feasibility of new features as needed.
- Keeps up to date on latest developments and features within tech stack and advises on implementation of said features to support business processes.
- Advises Director of Data Solutions as needed for implementation of new features and tools including but not limited to technical feasibility, alignment with current data model, and cost effectiveness.
- Develops new properties, objects, and automations in CRM and other systems as needed.
System Integration (30%)
Acts as lead technical resource for ensuring that application data effectively flows between systems to support end user work flows;
- Builds and maintains integrations between enterprise data sources utilizing webhooks and automated integration platforms.
- Continually monitors integration landscape and makes recommendations for tooling and practices that meet current industry standards.
- Works closely with the Director of Data Solutions to ensure that data integrations are aligned with overarching data model and strategic needs.
- Monitors integrations and responds to system outages in a timely manner.
- Communicates effectively with stakeholders to understand business needs.
Documentation and Sustainable Design (20%)
Ensures that all development in platform is documented, and follows best practices to drive long term success of model and that development tools are right sized for a small organization;
- Proactively identifies and communicates custom built solutions that could be simplified or achieved with out of the box features of our current tech stack.
- Creates, edits, and maintains technical documentation for integrations and custom development within HubSpot, Airtable, Make, Softr, Survey Monkey Apply and other systems as needed.
- Creates and maintains testing methods for developed application and integration layers.
- Takes ownership of development and release cycles.
- Acts as technical liaison between Activate and outside vendors as needed to ensure new technology is compatible with current tech stack.
The Ideal Candidate
- Has a minimum of 7 years experience developing custom applications and integrations with a proven track record of documentation and sustainable design.
- Has proven experience in overseeing the development lifecycle of enterprise application and integration solutions in a fast paced environment.
- Ability to apply software engineering principles and problem-solving mindset to low-code platforms (experience with Make, Zapier, or n8n a plus).
- Is proficient in at least one modern programming language (JavaScript and Python strongly preferred).
- Is proficient in API frameworks.
- Has advanced knowledge of at least one CRM platform (HubSpot or Salesforce strongly preferred).
- Advanced knowledge developing with a modern database platform (Airtable strongly preferred).
- Can demonstrate the ability to work closely with users of all technical capabilities.
About the Role
This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $135,000 and a generous benefits package that includes professional development, $2,000 in annual wellness funds, flexible paid time off, healthcare coverage for employees and dependents, with 90–100% of premiums covered, and the opportunity to join a retirement plan with a 3% match beginning after 3 months at Activate.
This position will be remote with a preferred location at any of the following: Cambridge, MA; New York, NY; Houston, TX; or Berkeley, CA. While this is primarily a remote role, we ask for in-person presence once a month (depending on location) for programming and as needed for special team events.
Encouraging Applications from All Backgrounds
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming workplace for all employees. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Activate Global, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Top Skills
What We Do
We empower scientists to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market.
Founded in 2015, Activate is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that empowers scientists to reinvent the world by bringing their research to market to address climate change and other global challenges.
Activate works between government and the private sector, transforming scientists into high-impact entrepreneurs through a fellowship that guides them along every step of the journey. The Activate Fellowship provides two years of funding and connects fellows with the resources, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed. The fellowship does not take equity in fellows' startups.
Activate's entrepreneurial fellowship model originated at Cyclotron Road, a division of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and founding Activate partner. Today, Activate supports 20-30 new Activate Fellows each year in with plans to expand to 100 new fellows, across the United States, each year.
For more information, go to Activate.org.
