Job position with MIT App Inventor

Jun 19, 2014 hal's Blog

Job Code/Title: ED001/Research SpecialistPosition
Title: Software Engineer
Effort: 100%
Term: Initial term through June 2015 with the possibility of extension based on progress and direction of the research

Summary: The MIT Center for the Mobile Learning, a joint project of the MIT Media Lab and the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. We are seeking an experienced software engineer/architect to play a key role in the evolution, operation, and educational research use of MIT App Inventor. App Inventor lets beginning students and others without prior programming experience create mobile applications for Android devices. It operates as a hosted service on Google App Engine and Google Compute Engine, and currently supports 87,000 active users each week, for a total of 2 million users, who among them have built almost 5 million apps.The person filling this position is expected to function as a core leader both in App Inventor technology and also in the community of students, teachers, hobbyists and others surrounding App Inventor.Responsibilities:Play a key role in the continuing design and development of App Inventor (with initial development work in Java and Javascript with Google App Engine)Help support and communicate with community of researchers and educators using App InventorMake public presentations about the work of the CenterSupervise MIT students working on Center projectsInteract with other leaders in the educational technology community.

Supervision Received: Will report to the App Inventor Director and the Director of Software Development.Minimum Qualifications:Master’s degree (preferred) in a relevant technical fieldA least three years experience in a production software position, including significant responsibility for large implementations. Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

Good familiarity with Java, Javascript and the Android platform.
Comfortable with a variety of programming paradigms, including functional programming in dynamic languages, serverside technologies, and Web client technologies like AJAX.
Experience as member of a development team that has implemented a substantial system that has been successfully deployed to a diverse set of users in a Web environmentPrevious operational responsibility for an extensive system with thousands of active users Effective communication skills.
Familiarity with current work in educational technology, including App Inventor, Scratch and StarLogo TNGAbility to participate in the global research community around educational technology and the design of programming tools for learnersDemonstrated passion for education and for fostering creativityAbility to work as part of a diverse, creative team.

To apply, please go to http://jobs.mit.edu/ and search for keyword App Inventor