Job Summary
Michigan Creative, a unit of the Office of the Vice President for Communications, seeks an inspired creative for a full-time role as a Senior Engineer, Front-end.
The University of Michigan's academic excellence, history, diversity, campus culture, and public nature make it an extraordinary institution and an enormously influential brand. This position will be part of the marketing enterprise and, as such, will deliver high-caliber, award-winning websites and web applications for clients across the University's 19 schools and colleges and multiple institutes and centers.
The ideal candidate is a team player who is intelligent, collaborative, and passionate about beautiful design, accessibility, and trends in technology.
As a Senior Engineer, your code should be structured, testable, commented, and modern. Internally, you will have the opportunity to lead and promote your process and techniques. As a collaborator, you will help raise awareness and help solve the unique challenges of modern web and application development. As an innovator, you will have the opportunity to design and contribute to a system to serve the greater University. You will report to the Director of Technology.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Responsibilities*
- Stay current with emerging front-end technologies, UI patterns, and accessibility standards
- Conceptual brainstorming in visual and interactive design
- Collaborate with the Creative, Digital, and Development directors to maintain U-M brand standards
- Meet with internal and external stakeholders to discuss and define digital objectives and develop creative concepts to meet those objectives
- Solve complex technical issues using a variety of technologies
- Make contributions to an array of tools to better serve the University community and beyond
- Experience with performance optimization, Core Web Vitals, and associated audits
- Improve the development workflow
- Provide expertise and assist in mentorship of the technical team
- Work with the account team to plan, scope, and report on project status
- Meet with internal and external stakeholders to discuss and define digital objectives and develop applications to meet those objectives, as well as support overall digital strategy
Required Qualifications*
- 8+ years of design experience in an agency or studio
- Knowledge of graphic design principles and practices: layout, typography, and use of tone and color
- Experience in branding and design for both print and digital, with a thorough understanding of UI/UX principles
- Strong portfolio demonstrating excellence in ideation and implementation
- Expert knowledge in the theming layer of multiple Content Management Systems (WordPress, Drupal, Static sites, etc)
- Expert knowledge of JavaScript, including experience with JS frameworks (React, Angular, VueJS, etc)
- Explore opportunities to enhance workflows or interfaces with AI-assisted tools or automation
- Experience using Git version control
- Experience working in an Agile development environment
- Strong team player and an excellent communicator
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience with static site generators (Eleventy, Sveltekit, Hugo)
- Experience with Headless CMSs
- Experience with cloud services (cloud functions, cloud run, storage)
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.