INNOVATION ROLE: BUILDER
Our team
UPS^NEXT is a series of programs and teams that accelerate innovation across UPS. It is a partnership that brings together talent and capabilities from Strategy, IT, Marketing, Customer Solutions, Engineering, and Operations. We are focused on developing new businesses and prototypes to support and accelerate growth across UPS. UPS^NEXT is not “the innovation department,” but a home for programs and spaces that enable rapid exploration and experimentation for UPS.
The role
Our engineers, developers, and testers make functioning products for use in pilots and testing. They will work closely with Catalysts, Designers, and key stakeholders to turn a fuzzy idea into a live, pilot-ready prototype. In their hands, ideas move from paper to working code and physical solutions.
These builders will be working on a small self-contained agile team which aims to go from concept to pilot in a matter of weeks. We will not be building for large-scale production, but rather for pressure-testing ideas and determining whether issues around feature/function prioritization and user experience are correct.
Because of the speed and impermanence of the solutions, we believe that mentality is much more important than deep specific-stack knowledge. Creative generalists will feel more at home than code-efficiency optimizers. Innovation projects are often near the front of the curve for both new technology and emerging business models. So, the best candidates are curious minds that can dive into new topics and learn quickly from informal sources.
Our design and build teams are small. So, builders will spend time meeting with users and (along with designers) interviewing potential customers. Also, we expect that constant iteration and testing of the solutions during the pilot windows will be key to discovering what the long-term solutions should look like.
The best candidates will have the ability to learn fast and make decisions, but also keep an open and flexible mind at all points in the process. Ideal candidates are high energy, engaged leaders who can lead teams through tough times and help set visions that keep people motivated in periods of setback and uncertainty.
This role is onsite at UPS in Atlanta.
Minimum Qualifications
- 3 months-4 years of experience or equivalent education
- Strong computer science fundamentals
- Strong knowledge of a modern development language like Java, JavaScript, Python, or C#
- Knowledge of web libraries and frameworks, such as Angular2/4, React, Closure or Backbone
- Familiarity with the whole web stack, including protocols and web server optimization techniques
- Mobile and mobile web development skills are highly desired
- Familiarity with testing and testing script methodology is a plus
- Familiarity with hardware design and software/hardware integration is a plus
Strongly Preferred (Front-end)
- Experience building mobile first responsive web apps
- Strong grasp of web design and attuned to the fundamentals of UX
AND/OR
Strongly Preferred (Back-end)
- Database
- API
- Microservices development and integration
Nice-to-have
- Experience working with an Agile team structure
- Knowledge of Design Thinking principles
- Some business background or education
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent
Our philosophy
Innovation is a blend of different skills that are commonly learned as separate disciplines: business, design, and engineering. In order to accelerate innovation at UPS, we want to bring people with diverse skills together and allow them to work in a nimble and flexible manner. The environment needs to focus on learning rather than perfection. Everyone on the team should know their ‘super power’ and understand the value they add to the group.
T3 is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer oriented toward inclusivity. We celebrate diversity, not just in commitment but in action. We get it and hire people that do, too.