Lead Software Engineer

oclcĀ· OCLC, Inc.
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Full timeOCLC, Inc.

About this role

Together we make breakthroughs possible.Ā 

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.Ā 

Why join OCLC?Ā 

OCLC is consistently recognized as a best place to work by several independent programs. WeĀ 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.Ā 

  • Free use of our on-site fitness center, gym sports, group exercise classes, and game roomĀ 

  • Onsite catering and cafeteria subsidized by OCLCĀ 

  • Health and wellness eventsĀ 

  • Work environments with individual and team spaces and the latest technology toolsĀ 

  • Paid parental leave and adoption assistanceĀ 

  • Tuition reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibilityĀ 

  • Company-subsidized pricing on local tickets and membershipsĀ 

Join us in transforming how people everywhere access information and be part of a mission-driven team that makes a global impact.Ā 

The job details are as follows:

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will be responsible for leading software development initiatives. You will independently design, develop, and test complex software programs and systems. You will also collaborate with team members, mentor junior engineers, and provide technical guidance to ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions. You will also collaborate with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define, refine, and implement features and enhancements.

Responsibilities:

  • Own and evolveĀ large-scale data flows end-to-end—batch processing, transformation, clustering, and publication of datasets and indexes—ensuring they are reliable, documented, and ready for modernization.Ā 

  • Drive modernizationĀ of data-flow architecture: evaluate and introduce new techniques, patterns, and tooling; make build-vs-buy and technology choices; set direction others can implement against.Ā 

  • Lead solution designĀ for batch and distributed processing: data quality checks, indexing strategies, replay/idempotency patterns, and integration with existingĀ Java/SpringĀ services and APIs.Ā 

  • Develop and tune Apache SparkĀ workloads: implement batch jobs, diagnose failures, and improve performance through profiling, troubleshooting, and optimization.Ā 

  • Build and maintain scripting and orchestration at scaleĀ usingĀ bashĀ (required) and related automation; coordinate long-running jobs through enterprise scheduling and operational runbooks.Ā 

  • Establish technical standardsĀ for batch and data-flow engineering—scripting patterns, monitoring, failure handling, and operational handoff—and influence practices beyond your immediate team.Ā 

  • CollaborateĀ with product managers, leadership, and engineering teams to align roadmaps with product needs and translate organizational goals into executable technical strategy.Ā 

  • Troubleshoot and resolveĀ complex production issues in data flows and batch systems; implement preventive, systemic improvements—not one-off fixes.Ā 

  • Leverage and exploreĀ AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor, code generation, smart testing) where appropriate; help assess effectiveness and support adoption.Ā 

  • ChampionĀ agile methodologies, lead technical and design reviews, and foster cross-team collaboration.Ā 

  • Maintain awarenessĀ of security, data governance, and quality standards in an enterprise context.Ā 

Ā 

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or related discipline, or equivalent work experience.

  • 7+ years of software development experience .

  • Demonstrated professional strength inĀ Java: shipping, maintaining, and evolving production services—not occasional or peripheral use.Ā 

  • StrongĀ bash scripting at scaleĀ in production data-flow and batch environments; comfort maintaining and extending large script-based systems.Ā 

  • Hands-on experience withĀ Apache Spark: developing batch workloads andĀ troubleshooting/tuningĀ performance and reliability (depth in patterns matters; specific cluster or vendor context can be learned on the job).Ā 

  • Proven experienceĀ owning large-scale batch processing and data flows: design, operation, troubleshooting, and evolution—including publishing datasets or indexes at scale.Ā 

  • Experience withĀ batch orchestration and job schedulingĀ in production (enterprise schedulers, dependency chains, failure recovery, and operational runbooks).Ā 

  • Ability to work withĀ messy, evolving data: inconsistent schemas, multiple sources, and changing requirements; design for robustness and incremental improvement.Ā 

Working Conditions:Ā Normal office environment.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the salary disclosed for the Lead Software Engineer position at oclc?
The salary for this Lead Software Engineer role at oclc is not publicly listed. Click "Apply Now" to learn more about the compensation package on their official careers page.
Where is the Lead Software Engineer position at oclc located?
This Lead Software Engineer role at oclc is based in Dublin, OH / Hybrid. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Lead Software Engineer role at oclc full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full time position. It is posted as a Lead Software Engineer role in the OCLC, Inc. department at oclc.
Which team or department does the Lead Software Engineer at oclc belong to?
This Lead Software Engineer position is part of the OCLC, Inc. department at oclc. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Lead Software Engineer position at oclc?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to oclc's official application portal hosted on workday where you can submit your application directly.
Lead Software Engineer
oclc
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