Lead Software Engineer – Data Services Division

Together we make breakthroughs possible. At OCLC, we build technology with a purpose: to connect libraries and make knowledge accessible worldwide, because we believe that what is known must be shared. Our teams work with complex global datasets, AI and machine learning, hybrid cloud solutions, and other technologies that connect people and organizations to the information they need. We value the power of unique perspectives and experiences to unlock innovation. At OCLC, your ideas matter, whether you have two years of experience or 20. You’ll learn, create, and problem-solve with technologists, product developers, librarians, researchers, marketing pros, and support teams around the world. Why join OCLC? OCLC is consistently recognized as a best place to work by several independent programs. We recognize and reward people and results with a comprehensive Total Rewards package. This means competitive compensation that reflects your unique contributions—performance, experience, and skills—along with exceptional benefits, including best-in-class health coverage, retirement plans with generous company contributions, and a commitment to your overall well-being. We know the best ideas don’t always happen at a desk. Take a walking meeting around our 100-acre campus or enjoy lunch on the patio. We’re committed to your success—both personally and professionally. Hybrid work environment: For many roles, three days a week on-site, with occasional additional days based on business needs. Free use of our on-site fitness center, gym sports, group exercise classes, and game room Onsite catering and cafeteria subsidized by OCLC Health and wellness events Work environments with individual and team spaces and the latest technology tools Paid parental leave and adoption assistance Tuition reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility Company-subsidized pricing on local tickets and memberships Join us in transforming how people everywhere access information and be part of a mission-driven team that makes a global impact. The job details are as follows: We’re looking for a Lead Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on development across large-scale, distributed systems that support products used by libraries worldwide. This role is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys designing robust software systems, mentoring others, and influencing technical direction while still writing high-quality code. Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Architecture Lead the design and delivery of medium to large-scale software initiatives from concept through production. Architect scalable, resilient systems using modern Java-based frameworks, cloud infrastructure, and distributed system patterns. Establish and champion engineering best practices, including code quality, testing, observability, and documentation. Guide teams through complex technical decisions, system design, and implementation trade-offs. Mentorship & Engineering Excellence Mentor small group of engineers across teams and levels, acting as a trusted technical leader and sounding board. Foster an inclusive, high-trust environment where engineers feel safe to share ideas, experiment, and learn. Provide actionable feedback through code reviews, design discussions, and one-on-one mentorship. Model strong communication skills and collaborative problem-solving across the organization. · Strategic & Cross-Functional Impact Partner with product and business stakeholders to translate customer needs into scalable technical solutions. Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to inform architectural and platform decisions. Clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Drive cross-team initiatives that improve system reliability, developer productivity, and platform capabilities. Hands-On Development Design, develop, and maintain backend services using Java, Spring Boot, and microservices architectures. Build and integrate distributed systems leveraging technologies such as Kafka, Spark, and cloud-native services. Write clean, testable code and ensure quality through unit, integration, and performance testing. Participate in code reviews, incident response, and continuous improvement of engineering processes. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. 7+ years of professional software development experience, including 5+ years working with Java. Demonstrates strong initiative and ownership, driving tasks to completion with minimal supervision. Experience in executing work independently while aligning with broader teaming organizational goals. Strong expertise in: Java and object-oriented design (design patterns, UML) Distributed systems and service-oriented architectures Spring IoC, Spring Boot, Maven RESTful and SOAP-based web services Experience working with data-intensive or event-driven systems (e.g., Kafka, Spark, Hadoop). Worked with AI tools or frameworks used to enhance software development or system capabilities. Experience building and operating cloud-based applications (AWS preferred; Snowflake a plus). Proficiency with Linux/UNIX environments and CI/CD pipelines. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Nice to Have Experience designing and operating microservices at scale. Working Conditions: Normal office environment. Hybrid position requires three days in the office. ADA/EAA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be the principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties. Don't see a role that fits just yet? Send your resume to our Talent Acquisition Team for future opportunities! Who we are: We are a non-profit global technology company that develops innovative services for libraries. Together with member libraries, we connect people to the resources they need to learn and grow, and ultimately, to transform the world. We connect libraries to other libraries, making their work more efficient and effective. Our large-scale, high-performance cloud computing services enable libraries to share data, work, and resources to save money and better serve their communities. What we do: We are dedicated and passionate about libraries—and helping them change lives. Our goal is to provide innovative technologies for every library to help them meet the demands of a rapidly changing digital world. Our success depends on our ability to deliver new, high-quality features and stable, scalable solutions for libraries. Live our values: New ideas. Open dialog. Hard work. Recognition. Purpose. We offer a dynamic, fulfilling work environment that is productive, collaborative, innovative—and fun. We are consistently rated among the top employers within Central Ohio and across the IT landscape. There is a strong, team-based culture where everyone is appreciated and focused on common goals. You will make a difference. OCLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. If you are interested in applying for employment with OCLC and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, contact our Human Resources Department at +1-614-764-6000 or email at hr@oclc.org