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Principal Software Engineer (Ruby on Rails)

Remote

Location: 

Remote (International OK)

While our operations are centered in the United States and preference will be given to candidates located within the US, we welcome international applicants who can ensure some overlap with US time zones, including US Pacific Time (UTC−07:00). This arrangement supports effective collaboration and synchronization with our team.

 

About Us:

Ameelio is a pioneering non-profit committed to using technology to make a significant social impact. Our mission encompasses the development and implementation of innovative tech solutions that improve the lives of incarcerated individuals and their families. We focus on enhancing communications and expanding educational opportunities within correctional facilities, which are crucial for maintaining family connections and supporting rehabilitation.

By providing free and accessible communication tools, we help preserve essential support structures that significantly reduce recidivism. We also challenge the unjust practices of incumbents in the industry who impose high costs on communications, ensuring that families, especially those least able to afford these fees, can stay connected without financial burden.

Join us in our mission to empower educators, improve familial connections, and fight against systemic exploitation in the communication services for incarcerated individuals and their families.

 

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Principal Engineer with extensive experience in Ruby on Rails to oversee the technical implementation of our product. In this pivotal role, you will work closely with our product team and designers to plan, estimate, and deliver high-impact features while maintaining technical excellence and managing tech debt.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Technical Leadership:
    • Lead the technical implementation of the product, ensuring high-quality, scalable, and maintainable code.
    • Provide technical direction and mentorship to other engineers.
    • Oversee prioritization and maintenance of technical debt.
  • Product Management:
    • Collaborate with the product team to define and prioritize feature development.
    • Become a product expert and provide insights that guide development.
    • Work with designers and product managers to plan, estimate, and deliver new features.
  • Canvas LMS Integration:
    • Leverage your expertise or quickly gain proficiency in Canvas LMS.
    • Implement and oversee integrations with Canvas LMS and other relevant educational platforms.
  • Team Collaboration:
    • Foster a collaborative and positive team environment.
    • Mentor junior engineers, providing guidance on best practices and career growth.

 

Qualifications:

  • Proven experience as a Principal Engineer or similar leadership role.
  • Required Skills:
    • Strong proficiency in Ruby on Rails.
    • Deep understanding of software engineering best practices.
    • Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.
    • Experience working with PostgreSQL or similar relational database
    • Familiarity with container technology (like Docker)
    • Willingness to learn/use basic Kubernetes (kubectl) to troubleshoot deployed environments, get Pod logs, etc.
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Familiarity with Canvas LMS
    • Experience working with applications in Kubernetes is a big plus. You don’t need to be hacking operators, but if you can check the status of running Pods, read logs, and understand basics about how the application is running, you’ll have a much easier time getting up to speed.
    • Experience working in the EdTech or non-profit sector, not required at all but can be helpful
  • Soft Skills:
    • Effective communication and team leadership abilities.
    • Ability to thrive in a collaborative and mission-driven environment.
    • Comfortable taking sometimes ambiguous requests/requirements and through collaborative engagement, defining them and turning them into work tickets.

 

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary and benefits package.
  • Opportunity to contribute to a meaningful mission that positively (and measurably) impacts society.
  • Ability to strongly shape the development/outcome of the product, lay a sustainable foundation, and set the team up for long-term success.
  • Be an early part of a high-impact startup that has a bright future ahead of it.
  • Work with a talented, passionate team committed to making a difference.
  • Enjoy a great work/life balance

 

Salary:

We aim to offer competitive compensation that aligns with local standards while reflecting the significance of the role and the expertise brought by the ideal candidate.

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