Position Description
This is a fully benefited, full-time Harvard University position that has been funded through 6/30/27. There is the possibility of renewal, contingent on funding, university priorities and satisfactory job performance.
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration. We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines - and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused, and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you!
Harvard Library and Harvard University IT are beginning significant work related to the Reimagining Discovery Project to revolutionize how researchers, students, and the global community access and explore Harvard's extensive collections. Through this work we want to make all kinds of information easily discoverable and accessible, driving innovation by connecting machine learning and artificial intelligence into library discovery systems. The IT Project Technical Lead oversees the technical aspects of this software development project by leading architectural and design decisions, collaborating with team members in technical matters, and supervising system modifications.
The IT Project Technical Lead establishes project specifications and technical direction, creates a framework of technical standards and procedures, oversees software quality and system development and modifications, guides team members with troubleshooting technical issues, analyzes existing operations to identify risks and redundancies, and conducts comprehensive assessments to develop solutions for Reimagining Discovery.
Typical Core Duties:

• Architecting and designing technical solutions and ensuring technical quality and standards. This includes making architectural decisions and guiding technical design.
• Staying on top of the latest AI and machine learning advancements, research papers, and tools to inform project direction. Leading technical decision making. Making judgment calls on technical implementation details and choices as needed.
• Estimating and planning work, ensuring they align with project's overall goals. Breaking down high-level requirements into tasks and estimating time/effort required. Helping with project planning and scheduling.
• Developing and reviewing code written by other engineers to ensure it meets quality standards and aligns with design/architecture as needed. Ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the AI-driven discovery applications.
• Troubleshooting and problem solving. Helping to debug and resolve technical issues/problems that arise during development.
• Setting and reinforcing coding standards and best practices. Ensuring consistent coding style, patterns, naming conventions etc. across the codebase.
• Collaborating with the project manager and acting as a liaison between technical and non-technical teams as needed to communicate project status and issues.
• Tracking and managing technical debt. Identifying technical debt and prioritizing its resolution.
• Ensure appropriate technical documentation for code, architecture, processes etc.
• Adhere to Harvard University's IT technical standards and best practices.
• Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT Code of Conduct.
• Other duties as necessary.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of two of those years of experience working with Machine Learning/ Artificial Intelligence (ML/AI) technologies including proficiency in data preprocessing and transformation, feature engineering, and model evaluation methods
• Minimum of two years' experience testing, maintaining, or launching software products and minimum of one year of experience with software design and architecture
• Experience with API-oriented application development
• Familiar with fundamental security principles
• Knowledge of Python and the FastAPI framework, React, API tooling, and vector database solutions like MongoDB or Elasticsearch
• Knowledge of software development tracking tools such as Jira and GitHub
• Knowledge of continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) software orchestration principles
• Relevant working experience with Docker and Kubernetes
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor
• Attitude that supports an Agile working environment and familiarity with Scrum framework

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting

Additional Information
Please provide a cover letter with your application.
Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.
Work Format Details
HUIT actively supports hybrid and remote work where business needs allow. This position has the option of being primarily on-site, hybrid or primarily remote. If hybrid or remote work is approved, additional travel to campus may be necessary based on business needs and the nature of work. Examples include bi-annual or quarterly Town Halls, critical business meetings or other work events. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
About Us
More about HUIT:
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across the University. Our mission is to assure Harvard's leadership in IT. We strive to make it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn and work through the effective use of information technology. HUIT's core values are User Focused, Collaborative, Innovative and Open.
HUIT's core values are:

• User-focused
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Open

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT's IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: ;br>
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.