Software Developer (AI/Data Engineer)

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is the region’s leading public transportation provider, operating rail, bus, and paratransit services. WMATA is seeking a Software Developer (AI/Data Engineer) to lead software and data application development, integrations, quality assurance, and system maintenance within Digital Modernization. The role focuses on building reliable enterprise systems, resolving complex technical problems, supporting cloud applications, and providing technical leadership across projects.

Responsibilities:

• Provides technical leadership and/or specialized technical assistance in problem-solving and application systems development
• Provides expert assistance in assigned critical systems areas within the department
• Develops, enhances and maintains applications and integrations within Digital Modernization's portfolio
• Prepares concise reports suitable for all levels of management regarding projects and technical issues within assigned areas of responsibility
• Performs assignments using a full complement of software engineering skills such as requirements specification, system design, software development, quality assurance, documentation, and testing
• Functions as project engineer for system configuration management plan, with assigned responsibility and is designated as the prime point of contact. Responsible for the maintenance and execution of project configuration version control when making changes to existing application software or designing new software
• Is responsible for being on call during "off" hours and must respond to emergency outages either via telephone, email, or in person and assists on-site staff until normal operations are resumed
• Provides technical leadership and/or specialized technical assistance in problem solving and application systems development
• Is responsible for a high level of operational performance and software reliability within major application systems throughout Digital Modernization
• Develops, reviews and updates various systems or software as required, in compliance with WMATA Standards and Criteria and Standard Specifications with industry standards, best industry practices, and current or future WMATA practices
• Develops and reviews other department technical specifications and task orders for procurement of hardware, software, test equipment and services
• Performs failure analysis and prepares reports including root cause and recommended corrective action for stakeholders and management. Evaluates and provide guidance on system changes to determine feasibility, alternative solutions, and back out procedures
• Works closely with end users to understand their information requirements and to direct resolution of their problems
• Maintains up-to-date support requests and project work plans. Prepares status reports to compare progress with work plans
• Advises supervisory staff concerning system modifications and applications system deficiencies, end user requirements, and computer hardware, and recommends software support, work method and practice improvements
• Works variable hours to avoid adverse impact on operations and availability
• Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles

Requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering or related field
• In lieu of degree, a high school diploma or GED and additional four (4) years of experience in progressively responsible and diversified information systems, communication systems management and technical experience in a large organization
• Five (5) years of experience in progressively responsible and diversified information systems, communication systems management and technical experience in a large organization
• Extensive, expert-level software engineering knowledge as it applies to system design, maintenance, and operation
• Extensive knowledge of project management in a complex technical environment to include meeting operational requirements, minimizing production outages, conserving resources, promoting application ease-of-use and ease-of-maintenance goals
• Extensive knowledge of concepts, standards, products and technical support within assigned areas of responsibility
• Considerable skill in estimating, scheduling, project planning, control and reporting
• Skills in interpersonal relations to establish and maintain effective working relationships and deal with others in a customer-oriented, business-like manner
• Skills in verbal and written communication to exchange complex technical information with others, and the professional ability to resolve user and software problems in a timely manner
• Hands on skills in working with cloud Software Application as Service/Platform Application as Service applications
• Ability to organize and lead staff in project and process-oriented activities
• Considerable ability to independently configure, implement, and maintain assigned systems/products in support of development, and production
• Ability to manage multiple projects to a successful, timely conclusion while simultaneously ensuring that routine tasks such as system maintenance, monitoring and tuning are not neglected
• Ability to maintain up-to-date documentation and project reporting on systems within assigned areas of responsibility
• SOAP/REST Webservices
• BPEL
• XML
• WSDL
• XSD
• MS Visio
• MS Office Suite
• Jira/Atlassian Suite
• Experience in design, development and maintenance of operational applications preferably including responsibilities as senior technical staff and project manager