IT Software Engineer - Diversification

Nelnet is a diversified and innovative company committed to enriching lives through the power of service as a student loan servicer, professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payments processor, renewable energy solutions, and K-12 and higher education expert. For over 40 years, Nelnet has been serving its customers, associates, and communities.

The perks of working at Nelnet go beyond our benefits package. When you join the Nelnet team, you're part of a community invested in the success of each individual. That support comes through in our work, as we are united by our mission of creating opportunities for people where they live, learn, and work.

Responsible for software development contributions supporting a project-based diversification initiative - the design and delivery of a new AI-enabled workforce onboarding and case support platform for public-sector agencies - WREN. The initial project proposes the development of an AI-powered workforce onboarding, training, and case support platform for State Health and Human Services agencies, initially focused on Child Support Services, with the goal of improving how new frontline staff learn, gain confidence, and perform complex, high-stakes casework.
This role will contribute to the delivery of an MVP focused on onboarding and training workflows, decision support, and guided user experiences, starting on WREN and supporting its initial build until the product hands off to a long-term product team. At that point, the engineer will follow one of two tracks: continuing on with the ongoing support of WREN, or transitioning onto the MVP development team for a new product within New Business and Innovation.

Nelnet believes in a hybrid work environment. The standard hybrid work schedule includes 24 hours of in-office work each week, for associates that reside within 30 miles of an office. This is subject to change, based on manager discretion.

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. To be considered, candidates must already be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

At this time, we are unable to consider external candidates that reside in these states: Alabama, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to the design and development of application features as part of a cross-functional scrum team, collaborating closely with other engineers, product owners, and designers.
• Implement backend services and APIs and front-end user interface components to support defined product requirements.
• Translate well-defined business and technical requirements into working software.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code following established team standards and best practices.
• Participate in code reviews, testing activities, and iterative refinement of features.
• Assist in diagnosing and resolving defects, performance issues, and integration problems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members, including product, design, and domain experts, to deliver project goals.
• Adapt to evolving requirements and priorities within the scope of the project timeline.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

EXPERIENCE:

We are looking for engineers experienced in the full stack of software development. Our department is focused on new product development, which often requires engineers to become comfortable in unfamiliar frameworks and languages that best fit the product — we believe significant experience in a particular development environment translates well across other tech stacks.

5+ years of professional software development experience, demonstrating the ability to independently deliver well-scoped features and contribute effectively to a team-based development effort.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• 3-5 years of experience in at least one of the following backend technologies: Python, Node, .NET, or Java.

• 2+ years of experience in at least one of the following frontend technologies: Angular, React, .NET Blazor, .NET MVC, or an equivalent Java framework.

• Cloud engineering experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP), AWS, or Azure.

• Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL or SQL Server.

• Experience with document databases such as MongoDB, DynamoDB, or Firestore.

• Experience designing and consuming RESTful APIs.

• Familiarity with version control systems, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing practices.

BONUS SKILLS (nice to have):

• Terraform

• Docker

• Data warehousing solutions such as Snowflake or Google BigQuery.

COMPETENCIES – SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / ABILITIES:

• Solid understanding of software development fundamentals and the software development lifecycle.

• Ability to follow established design patterns, standards, and technical direction.

• Demonstrated ability to learn new tools, technologies, and domain concepts as needed to support project goals.

• Strong problem-solving skills within defined technical and functional boundaries.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative development team.

• Clear verbal and written communication skills.

Annual compensation range for this role is $100,000 - $110,000 depending on experience.

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. To be considered, candidates must already be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA, generous earned time off, 401K/student loan repayment, life insurance & AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, employee stock purchase program, tuition reimbursement, performance-based incentive pay, short- and long-term disability, and a robust wellness program. Click here to learn more about our benefits: Benefits & Perks - Nelnet Inc.

Nelnet is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful workplace where all associates have the opportunity to succeed. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We value the unique contributions of every team member and believe that a positive work environment benefits everyone.  

Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Talent Acquisition at 402-486-5725 or [email protected].

Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Hiring

We may use automated or artificial intelligence enabled tools to assist with the initial review of applications, such as identifying relevant skills or experience. These tools are used to support human review and do not make hiring decisions. A recruiter reviews applications and determines which candidates move forward in the hiring process. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Pre-Use Notice: Automated Tools in Hiring