Backend Developer

Job Description: Backend Developer - Privacy Compliance Reporting System (DataGov.AI Project)

Position Overview We are seeking a skilled Backend Developer to join the development team at Utah Valley University (UVU) in collaboration with Utah state initiatives for the DataGov.AI platform. This AI-powered reporting system is designed to assist political subdivisions (such as cities, counties, and state agencies) in automating and streamlining privacy compliance obligations under laws like the Government Data Privacy Act. The role focuses on building secure, scalable backend infrastructure to handle sensitive data governance, records management, and compliance reporting, ensuring adherence to privacy protections while empowering government entities with intuitive tools. This position is ideal for a developer passionate about public sector technology, data security, and cloud-based solutions. Location: Orem, UT (UVU campus) or hybrid, with potential collaboration with state offices in Salt Lake City.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain backend APIs and services for the DataGov.AI system, enabling secure data ingestion, processing, and reporting for privacy compliance tasks (e.g., automated audits, records classification, and risk assessments).
• Implement and optimize database schemas to store and query compliance-related data, ensuring data minimization, encryption, and access controls in line with Utah's privacy mandates.
• Deploy and manage cloud infrastructure on AWS, including serverless architectures, storage solutions, and scalable computing resources to support multi-entity reporting.
• Integrate AI-driven features (e.g., via APIs) for guiding users through privacy workflows, while maintaining audit trails and data sovereignty.
• Collaborate with frontend developers, data scientists, and compliance experts to build microservices that translate legal requirements into actionable backend logic.
• Ensure system security through best practices like authentication, authorization, and vulnerability scanning, with a focus on protecting personally identifiable information (PII).
• Monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and scale the backend to handle growing demands from political subdivisions across Utah.
• Participate in code reviews, documentation, and agile development processes to align with UVU's Herbert Institute goals for unified data governance.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Backend Development: 3+ years of experience with server-side languages such as Python (preferred for AI integrations), Node.js, Java, or Go. Proficiency in building RESTful/GraphQL APIs and microservices architectures (e.g., using Express, Flask, or Spring Boot).
• Database Expertise: Strong hands-on experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL via AWS RDS) and NoSQL solutions (e.g., MongoDB, DynamoDB). Skills in database design, optimization, indexing, and ORM tools (e.g., SQLAlchemy, Sequelize). Experience with data warehousing for reporting (e.g., Redshift) is a plus.
• AWS Proficiency: In-depth knowledge of AWS services, including EC2, Lambda, S3 for storage, VPC for networking, IAM for access management, and CloudWatch for monitoring. Experience with AWS security tools (e.g., KMS for encryption, GuardDuty) and infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) to ensure compliant, scalable deployments.
• Security and Compliance: Familiarity with data privacy frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CCPA, or Utah-specific laws) and implementing secure coding practices (e.g., OWASP guidelines). Experience with handling sensitive government data is highly desirable.
• Additional Technical Skills: Version control with Git; containerization (Docker, Kubernetes); CI/CD pipelines (e.g., AWS CodePipeline); and basic understanding of AI/ML integrations (e.g., via SageMaker).
• Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. Excellent communication skills for documenting technical decisions and explaining compliance features to non-technical stakeholders.
• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Prior work on government, compliance, or SaaS platforms is advantageous.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI-assisted tools or data governance systems.
• Certifications such as AWS Certified Developer, AWS Certified Database Specialist, or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• Knowledge of Utah's public sector ecosystem, including interactions with state agencies and political subdivisions.