Software Engineer (Android)

As a Software Engineer (Android) at WGU, you'll be responsible for researching, designing, and developing mobile applications with a focus on user experience. You will engage in hands-on coding for 85-95% of your time, participate in peer reviews, and resolve bugs during quality assurance testing. Collaboration with product management and various teams ensures that you contribute effectively to our mission of providing high-quality education to students.

To qualify for the Software Engineer (Android) position at WGU, candidates should have a minimum of 4 years of experience in mobile development with a strong command of Kotlin and/or Java. Experience in optimizing mobile location services, social media API integrations, and familiarity with Agile methodologies such as SCRUM are also crucial. Additionally, a solid understanding of RESTful APIs and unit testing is required.

WGU is committed to fostering a culture of growth and learning for Software Engineers. Our collaborative environment encourages team members to enhance their technical skills while working on impactful projects. Regular peer reviews, feedback, and access to training resources ensure that you are always supported in your career development, thus preparing you for future challenges.

WGU stands out as a fantastic workplace for Software Engineers due to its mission-driven focus on expanding access to education. The inclusive and diverse environment reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. You'll find yourself working alongside a talented team passionate about technology and education, making a significant difference in students' lives.

The team culture for Software Engineers at WGU is one of collaboration and support. We value diverse perspectives and a positive atmosphere where team members work together to achieve common goals. You'll find open lines of communication with all members, providing you with a space to share ideas and foster innovation in developing our mobile platforms.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects you have worked on using Kotlin and Java. Discuss the complexity of the applications you built and any frameworks or libraries you utilized to enhance functionality. Be sure to reflect on how your experience has prepared you for challenges in this role at WGU.

Discuss your approach to code quality, mentioning practices like code reviews, automated testing, and continuous integration. Providing examples of how you implemented these strategies in previous roles can showcase your commitment to maintaining high standards, which aligns with WGU's emphasis on high-quality code.

Share a specific challenge you encountered while developing an Android application, detailing the steps you took to resolve the issue. This demonstrates your problem-solving skills and resilience, which are crucial attributes for a Software Engineer at WGU.

When answering this question, explain the techniques you use for optimizing performance, such as reducing memory usage, optimizing network calls, and leveraging background processing. Mention any tools you use for profiling applications to identify bottlenecks as well.

Provide examples of how you've integrated RESTful APIs in previous projects. Discuss how you handled authentication, data handling, and any specific challenges you've faced. This will highlight your ability to work seamlessly with different data sources, a key requirement for WGU’s mobile applications.

Discuss your familiarity with Agile methodologies such as SCRUM or Kanban. Provide examples of how you contributed to sprint planning, participated in daily stand-ups, and collaborated with team members to ensure the team's success in delivering high-quality applications.

Effective communication is essential in a collaborative environment. Discuss your strategies, such as using project management tools, regular updates, and encouraging feedback. This highlights your commitment to transparency and teamwork, values that align with WGU's culture.

Describe the testing strategies you employ, including unit testing, integration testing, and functional testing. Mention any specific frameworks you have experience with, such as Espresso, to showcase your technical proficiency and your understanding of producing reliable software at WGU.

Share your insights on user experience design, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs, conducting usability testing, and implementing design best practices. This ensures that you align with WGU's goal of creating exceptional experiences for their students.

Discuss your strategies for staying current, such as attending industry conferences, participating in online courses, or following relevant blogs and forums. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning, an essential trait for a Software Engineer at WGU.