Software Developer

This is a 2 year fixed-term position. A cover letter and resume are required for full consideration.

About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution: The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace is a public policy research center devoted to the advanced study of economics, politics, history, and political economy—both domestic and foreign—as well as international affairs. Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover before he became the thirty-first president of the United States, the Institution began as a repository of historical material gathered at the end of World War I. The library and archives have grown to be among the largest private repositories of documents on twentieth-century political and economic history. Over time the Institution expanded its mission from collecting archival material to conducting advanced research on contemporary history and economics and applying this scholarship to current public policy challenges. With its eminent scholars and world-renowned library and archives, the Hoover Institution seeks to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all humanity under the directorship of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
To learn more about the current scope of the Institution’s work, please review the 2023 Annual Report:

JOB PURPOSE:

The Hoover Institution seeks a full-stack software developer for SECURE Analytics, a first-of-its-kind national effort authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and funded by the National Science Foundation to enhance the security and integrity of the U.S. research enterprise. This is a dynamic role for an individual to apply technical skills to the urgent real-world task of safeguarding the continued vitality of US research and innovation in a more challenging global environment.

They will be responsible for developing and maintaining secure internal-facing and external-facing software tools, search engines, deep learning models, and web-based interfaces that inform and empower key American stakeholders at the intersection of science, technology, and national security. They will implement leading-edge methodologies in scientometrics, bibliometrics, patent analysis, and risk science to enable granular understanding of evolving global research security risk. The role will be one of two full-stack developers and report directly to a senior data architect.

The developer will: analyze, design, develop, implement, modify, and maintain computer programs for research applications; interface with users to define system requirements or modifications, debug, and document computer application programs to meet the needs of the user’s system; and execute all programming tasks, including programming, analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, modifying, and maintaining computer programs.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a software coding assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interviews.

This is a two-year fixed term.

CORE DUTIES:

• Conceptualize design, implement, and develop solutions for complex systems/programs.
• Work with a variety of users to gain information, and develop intra-system tradeoffs between different users, as necessary; interact with a diverse collaborator base and outside vendor contacts.
• Document system builds and application configurations; maintain and update documentation as needed.
• Provide technical analysis, design, development, conversion, and implementation work.
• Work as a project leader, as needed, for projects of moderate complexity.
• Serve as a technical resource for applications.
• Compare, evaluate, and implement new features and technologies, and integrate them into the computing environment.
• Follow team software development methodology.

ADDITIONAL CORE DUTIES:

• Develop, validate, deploy, and refine secure internal and external client-facing platforms with web-based interfaces for search engines, data analysis and visualization.
• Develop, validate, deploy, and refine the codebase for analytical platforms on high performance computing systems, ensuring efficient retrieval, analysis, and visualization of complex, interconnected data while maintaining high performance and relevance.
• Develop, validate, deploy, and refine the codebase for a graph database analytical platform.
• Develop, train, validate, deploy, and refine risk models and deep learning models.
• Develop, train, validate, deploy, and refine RAG-optimized LLM agents.
• Develop, validate, deploy, and refine distributed applications using containerization technologies, including Docker and Kubernetes, ensuring scalability and seamless integration within complex environments.
• Evaluate performance of codebase and models.
• Learn and apply novel methods and technologies to solving research problems.
• Contribute to a working environment that is entrepreneurial and team-driven, with a culture of rigorous experimentation in a supportive environment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise in designing, developing, testing, and deploying software applications.
• Proficiency with application design and data modeling.
• Ability to define and solve logical problems for highly technical applications.
• Strong communication skills with both technical and non-technical clients.
• Advanced level knowledge of Python and scripting languages, expertise with high performance/systems languages and techniques.
• Expertise in (No)SQL, graph and vector databases, solving multidimensional, non-linear data problems, deep learning models, and predictive analytics.
• Advanced level knowledge of parallel and distributed data processing techniques and platforms (MPI, Map/Reduce, Batch, CUDA, OpenACC, Kubernetes, and complementary architectures) and systems.
• Ability to prioritize workload, and work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Adaptability and receptivity to feedback.

Certifications and Licenses:
None

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Expertise in RESTful API services, frontend frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js) and backend frameworks (e.g., Django, Flask, Node.js) to build, develop, and maintain robust full-stack applications that meet project requirements.
• Expertise in graph databases (e.g., Neo4j) and search engines (e.g., Elasticsearch) to design, deploy, and optimize search functionalities and graph-based data models within applications.
• Expertise in implementing cybersecurity, data privacy, compliance, and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) requirements.
• Expertise in scientometric, bibliometric, and/or patent research methodologies.
• Expertise in developing and deploying containerized applications.
• Expertise building RAG-optimized LLM agents.
• Expertise building and deploying user authentication and credentialing protocols.
• Growth mindset, personal initiative to upskill and develop new competencies in a supportive environment.
• Highly organized with keen attention to details; ability to produce high-quality work on deadlines; strong relationship-building skills; ability to interact comfortably and work effectively with others to set timelines, map milestones, and manage competing priorities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently sitting.
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May be required to work non-standard, extended or weekend hours in support of research work.
• Occasional overnight business travel.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,

The expected pay range for this position is $131,900 to $150,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Studies have shown that people from certain backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.