Professional employment

BU Spark! is looking for industry professionals to join our team! If you are interested in working at Spark! but don’t see an open position that fits your skill set, email your resume to buspark@bu.edu and we’ll be in touch. Student employment is also available for enrolled Boston University students.

Open positions

Assistant Solutions Engineer

Position Summary: We are seeking an Assistant Solutions Engineer with a strong background in software engineering, data engineering, and full-stack development to join our team. This role involves overseeing and contributing to a wide range of projects, from web and mobile applications to automating internal tasks, in collaboration with undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and external partners. This position works closely with students as a coach and mentor on projects for external partners and will work closely with the Spark! Technical Director to develop and build a technical infrastructure that will strengthen project quality, maintain and enable public access to technical artifacts produced through Spark! programs. The Assistant Solutions Engineer will have opportunities to work directly on special projects and initiatives in coordination with external partners and experts in residence and will support CDS co-Labs including Justice Media co-Lab and the Open Justice co-Lab. 

Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with student project teams supporting them to design, develop, and deploy software solutions that align with partner specifications and project goals.
  • Oversee the technical aspects of student-led projects, providing guidance and mentorship to enhance their learning experience and ensure consistent project outcomes that satisfy client requests.
  • Work directly on special projects for VIP clients or Spark! Tech projects
  • Maintain and share expertise in full stack development activities, utilizing a diverse tech stack including React.js, Next.js, TypeScript, Flutter, and various backend technologies (Google Firebase, Python-based APIs, Node.js). An interest in learning any of the stacks you are not familiar with.
  • Lend technical expertise/ oversight on project scoping as needed 
  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of Spark!’s technical infrastructure for software engineering, data science, ensuring best practices in project outputs including code quality and security
  • Support learning Ambassadors in designing and deploying relevant skill-building activities (e.g. micro challenges and tech talk workshops, etc.)
  • Participate in Spark! community programming and events, supporting the community and outreach manager. 
  • Participate in the identification and interviewing of prospective student interns and student team members.

Qualifications:

  • BA/BS degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
  • 1-5 years of experience in software engineering, data engineering, data science, with a strong emphasis on full stack development.
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to mentor and support students in technical projects.
  • Knowledge in React.js and TypeScript for front-end development.
  • Experience with mobile app development, preferably using Flutter, for cross-platform solutions.
  • Familiarity with backend development, including Google Firebase, Python-based APIs (Flask, FastAPI), or Node.js + Express.
  • Understanding of CI/CD processes, code quality checks, and software engineering standards.
  • Passion for learning and applying new technologies.
  • Experience and passion for working on interdisciplinary computing and commitment to user-centered design principles and practices. 
  • Outstanding communication and people skills with an ability to engage and interact effectively with diverse stakeholders from students to senior government officials to distinguished alumni. 
  • Strong process and project management skills 
  • Excellent organizational skills 
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced, dynamic work setting. Flexibility is a must. Positivity and teamwork is a must. 
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in a personal and professional context 
  • Basic IT skills (MS Office/Google Office, Slack, Trello, etc.) 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in data engineering, data science, and machine learning
  • Experience and knowledge of technology product development and UX/UI Design
  • Knowledge of agile development methodologies
  • Familiarity with ethical and responsible computing principles and practices 

Essential Functions:

1  Technical Architect: Serve as technical architect overseeing a portfolio of data science, data engineering, and software engineering projects to ensure high-quality deliverables from student teams consistent with project scopes.  45%
3  Infrastructure and Maintenance: Contribute to the development of a core technical infrastructure for BU Spark! including standardizing processes for hosting, security, and data and code quality, as well as building toward the creation of open and interactive data repositories. Contribute to the implementation and maintenance of an online repository of completed projects, datasets, and impacts. Contribute to the identification and creation of tools to increase our ability to scale as a team. Serve as the liaison to other members of the Spark! Technical Team, the Spark! Community team,BU Research Computing, and external partners related to software engineering infrastructure.  15%
4  Student Assessments and Hiring: Work with the Managing Director to develop a streamlined approach to assess and assign student applicants to projects based on appropriate skill matching.  Review applications and lead interviews for student internship roles. 15%
5  Special Projects: Engage in special initiatives and miscellaneous responsibilities as needed and agreed upon with Spark! Leadership including projects that will contribute to personal growth and development. 25%
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Practitioners

Practitioners are industry professionals who teach and mentor students within the BU Faculty of Computing & Data Science who are working on real-world projects for Spark! partners. Successful applicants will meet the following criteria:

  • Five or more years of experience working in industry
  • Experience with Python, React, PostgreSQL, TensorFlow, Flutter, Flask, containerization and Kubernetes
  • Experience mentoring junior software developers
  • Strong interest in sharing industry experience with students
  • Passion for making a social impact through computing and data sciences

For teaching opportunities, master’s and doctoral degrees are preferred (but not required).

Interested individuals should email sparklecturer@bu.edu for more information.