Associate Software Engineer, CTLT

University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) Butaro, Rwanda

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 UGHE’s 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.