Description
Job Title: Associate Software Engineer, CTLT
Reports to: CTLT Software Engineer
Location: Butaro Campus
Role Overview
The Associate Software Engineer will support the design, development, and maintenance of UGHEโs AI-powered digital learning platforms. While expected to contribute across the full software development lifecycle, the role requires strong knowledge of database design and management, ensuring reliable, secure, and scalable systems for student learning and institutional use.
Role and Responsibilities
- Contribute to the full software development lifecycle: requirements gathering, architecture design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
- Assist with the design, setup, and optimization of databases (relational: PostgreSQL/Supabase; non-relational: MongoDB), including schema design, query optimization, and indexing.
- Implement and monitor data security, user access permissions, and backup/recovery procedures to ensure compliance and reliability.
- Support backend API development (Node.js, Express, TypeScript) and integration with databases.
- Collaborate on front-end development (React, Chakra UI/Tailwind) to deliver responsive, user-friendly interfaces.
- Work with cross-functional teams (educators, data scientists, instructional designers) to translate academic needs into data structures and technical solutions.
- Troubleshoot issues across the stack, with a focus on database integrity and performance.
- Ensure proper documentation of schemas, access rules, and data flows for long-term maintainability.
- Stay up to date with emerging technologies in both databases and software engineering to enhance system scalability and security.
- Support the integration of AI-powered features (e.g., tutoring, feedback, analytics) into the platform by assisting with data pipelines, APIs, and backend services.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in software development.
- Solid foundation in full-stack development (React, Node.js/Express, TypeScript).
- Strong knowledge of database concepts:
- Relational databases (tables, relationships, normalization, indexing)
- Non-relational databases (document-based storage, flexible schemas)
- Backup strategies and disaster recovery
- User access control and permissions
- Data privacy and security best practices
- Experience in systems relevant to education and digital learning, preferably with exposure to Learning Management Systems (LMS) or similar platforms.
- Familiarity with cloud-hosted environments (Supabase, Railway, Vercel) and version control (Git).
- Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems across frontend, backend, and database layers.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Curiosity, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning.
- Preferably with exposure to AI and machine learning concepts, and comfort working with modern AI-powered tools or frameworks.
How to Apply
Applicants should provide: (1) curriculum vitae, (2) Degree, (3) A cover letter describing your interest in UGHE and relevant experience. Please upload these under the โAdditional Filesโ tab on the application page.
University of Global Health Equity is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Organizational Profile
UGHE is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in health care delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015. Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system.
UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high quality healthcare to some of the worldโs most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu BuzimaโPIHโs sister organizationโand our government partners have driven innovation for a decade.
Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.
Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:
At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members โ as well as our students, contractors, staff, and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHEโs policy.
UGHE will request information from applicantsโ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.