Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer at Skyward, your main responsibilities will include designing, developing, and maintaining software applications for K-12 schools. You will work closely with product owners and quality specialists to ensure that the software meets user needs and delivers a high-quality experience. Collaboration is key, as you will be part of a team where your programming skills will be applied in real-world scenarios, working with languages like C# and front-end technologies.

Candidates for the Software Engineer position at Skyward should ideally hold an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. However, equivalent programming experience is also valued. Additionally, strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and a passion for collaboration are essential to thrive in our team-oriented environment.

Skyward is dedicated to the professional development of its Software Engineers through comprehensive onboarding programs and ongoing support from mentors. You’ll receive individual coaching and collaborative learning experiences to enhance your skills and knowledge, ensuring you are continuously growing in your career with various opportunities for advancement within the company.

In your role as a Software Engineer at Skyward, you will primarily work with object-oriented programming in C#. Additionally, familiarity with Microsoft Visual Studio IDE, CSS, JavaScript, and the Microsoft .NET/MS SQL stack will be beneficial. Experience with OpenEdge ABL (Progress) is also a plus, as our projects may require such technologies.

The culture at Skyward is centered on teamwork, enthusiasm, and fun! Unlike many traditional tech firms, we have a close-knit environment where everyone collaborates on projects, shares ideas openly, and celebrates each other's successes. This supportive atmosphere encourages innovation and helps you feel connected to the cause of improving education in our communities.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you used C#. Discuss the types of applications you developed, the challenges faced, and how you overcame them. Show enthusiasm for coding and any practical experience you gained during school or internships.

Reflect on a project where collaboration was key. Describe your role, how you communicated with team members, and the outcome of the project. Make sure to underline the importance of team dynamics and how they contributed to success.

Discuss your methodology when debugging or tackling programming challenges. Break down your thought process into clear steps, such as identifying the problem, researching possible solutions, and testing your approach. This shows employers that you have a strategic approach to problem-solving.

Emphasize your passion for educational technology and how Skyward's mission aligns with your values. Reference their positive work culture and your eagerness to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact schools and students.

Share your experience level with each web technology. Provide examples of projects or coursework that involved these languages. Be honest about your proficiency and express your willingness to learn and improve further in these areas.

Discuss your familiarity with agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban. Highlight any experience you have working on sprints or in a collaborative environment, and explain how this approach supports efficient delivery of quality software.

Think of a scenario where you had to adapt to a new language, technology, or process. Explain what steps you took to learn quickly and how you successfully applied that knowledge to a project. This demonstrates your ability to grow and react positively to change.

Mention your preferred IDE, like Microsoft Visual Studio, and any debugging tools you find effective. Offer reasons for your choices and mention experiences that highlight the benefits these tools provide in developing efficient code.

Talk about your understanding of best coding practices, such as writing clean, readable code and conducting regular code reviews. Share experiences of how you incorporated testing and feedback processes into your previous projects to maintain code quality.

Be honest about your aspirations, whether it's becoming a senior developer, moving into management, or specializing in a specific technology. Show your interest in continuous learning and how you see that aligning with the opportunities available at Skyward for growth.