About the job
Job Title: Software Engineer
Team: Systems
Location: Hybrid in Chicago (IL)
Employment Type: Full-time
FLSA Classification: Exempt
Start Date: ASAP
About Braven
Braven is a dynamic national nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering ambitious college students to secure meaningful first opportunities post-graduation through innovative career-accelerating programs. Our collaboration with higher education institutions and employers fosters a transformative experience that starts with an engaging semester-long course, followed by continuous support until graduation. Together, we strive to rebuild the middle class and revitalize the American Dream.
About the Role
To fulfill our mission of serving 80,000–100,000 Fellows over the next decade, Braven is seeking a passionate Software Engineer. This individual will focus on enhancing user experiences that significantly impact students' lives. We prioritize projects that maximize value while keeping processes simple, and we continuously iterate to improve our offerings. Our agile environment ensures we enjoy our work while making a difference!
You will be integral to our mission by prototyping new features, mentoring colleagues through code reviews, and exploring new technologies. As Braven enters an exciting growth phase, we aim to balance agility in feature development with adherence to software engineering best practices.
This position is part of the Systems team and reports directly to the Senior Director of Software Engineering.
What You’ll Do
Full-stack project initiatives (90%)
- Utilize Ruby on Rails or Python to develop high-quality, maintainable applications.
- Take ownership of clearly defined tasks and deliver impactful solutions.
- Implement software engineering best practices to enhance processes and code quality.
- Keep end-users in focus, ensuring solutions positively influence students’ experiences.
- Address technical challenges creatively, enhancing team capabilities.
Team improvement through reviews, documentation, and communication (10%)
- Provide constructive feedback on code and architecture proposals to enhance team performance.
- Support the growth of junior engineers through mentorship and collaboration, fostering a learning culture.
- Maintain clear documentation for architecture, design decisions, and team protocols.
- Contribute to a collaborative team environment.

