About The Organization
Founded and operated by former election officials, KNOWiNK provides a proven solution rooted in knowledge gained from our extensive experience as former election officials and from working with and listening to elections authorities across the country. We are committed to growing to meet evolving needs and helping achieve the vision of individual jurisdictions to modernize elections with best-in-class technology. Therefore, KNOWiNK is in a perpetual state of development to enhance the overall election experience for voters, and everyone involved with running elections. Our top priority is to continue advancing the election process to make voting easier for workers and voters alike.
Key Responsibilities
Development & Maintenance:
- Assist in designing, developing, testing, and maintaining Ruby on Rails applications and JavaScript components under the supervision of senior engineers
- Follow established coding standards, procedures, and guidelines to complete assigned tasks
- Write clean, maintainable code and tests for web application features, both backend (Rails) and frontend (JavaScript)
- Develop RESTful APIs and integrate with external data sources and third-party services
Problem-Solving & Collaboration
- Troubleshoot simple issues independently; escalate more complex problems to senior team members with clear documentation of attempted solutions
- Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and stakeholders to gather requirements and provide technical assistance
- Participate in code reviews to learn best practices and improve code quality
- Work with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL), writing and optimizing SQL queries as needed
Learning & Growth
- Continuously learn new technologies, tools, and best practices related to Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and web development
- Seek feedback from senior engineers and actively work on improving technical skills
- Stay curious about emerging technologies and industry trends in election technology
Required Qualifications
Technical Skills:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience)
- Basic understanding of software engineering principles and web development fundamentals
- Foundational programming skills in Ruby and/or JavaScript
- Basic understanding of web application concepts (MVC architecture, HTTP, RESTful APIs)
- Familiarity with SQL and relational databases (preferably PostgreSQL or MySQL)
- Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git)
Problem-Solving & Communication
- Strong problem-solving skills with ability to seek guidance on complex issues
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively
- Eagerness to learn and adapt to new technologies and frameworks
- Willingness to seek feedback and demonstrate continuous improvement
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or project experience building web applications with Ruby on Rails
- Experience with modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue.js, or similar)
- Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Familiarity with testing frameworks (RSpec, Minitest, Jest, Mocha, or similar)
- Experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, or similar)
- Basic understanding of data structures and algorithms
- Familiarity with Linux/Unix command line
- Experience with front-end build tools (Webpack, npm/yarn)
- Understanding of software development lifecycle and agile methodologies
We Offer
- The ability to directly contribute to technology that powers modern elections and impacts millions of voters
- Be part of critical election infrastructure that makes a real difference in how Americans vote
- Strong emphasis on learning and growth through mentorship from experienced engineers
- Open communication across all levels
- Collaborative team culture that values questions and continuous improvement
- Stable, growing industry with exposure to diverse and exciting projects
- Fast-paced environment with meaningful, mission-driven work
Location
St. Louis, MO
This role is ideal for recent graduates or early-career professionals looking to launch their software engineering career while making a meaningful impact on democratic processes. You'll receive mentorship from senior engineers and gain hands-on experience with Ruby on Rails and JavaScript in a supportive, growth-oriented environment.
KNOWiNK provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, KNOWiNK complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
KNOWiNK expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of KNOWiNK employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.
