Senior Application Developer (Canvas LMS)

Princeton University’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) is seeking a skilled and motivated Senior Application Developer to join its central IT team. This role plays a vital part in supporting the academic mission of the University by designing, developing, and maintaining applications and services that enhance teaching and learning.

The Application Developer will build and maintain interactive applications, focusing on design, development, integrations (SharePoint, APIs), quality assurance testing, and deployment, while collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring scalable, high-performance solutions that meet business needs. Key tasks include requirement analysis, coding, debugging, creating documentation, and improving development processes.

The position focuses primarily on the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and its ecosystem, including integrations, plug-ins, and related web applications. In this role, the candidate will collaborate with faculty, staff, vendors, and cross-functional technical teams to deliver impactful, secure, and user-friendly solutions that meet the evolving needs of the academic community.

This position will be responsible for the configuration and maintenance of various system integrations with learning technologies to offer a seamless and intuitive learning experience. In addition, maintaining accurate technical documentation on system features and functionalities, and workflow processes will be required.

System Administration

• Deploy and integrate Canvas plug-ins and services (e.g., SimpleSyllabus, Panopto, Gradescope).
• Perform Canvas and related system patching, upgrades, and routine maintenance (e.g., data audits, implementing new features, addressing vulnerabilities).
• Configure and program LTIs and third-party integrations.
• Troubleshoot operational issues and implement effective solutions.
• Create and maintain comprehensive technical documentation.
• Monitor and validate data to ensure integrity and accuracy.
• Monitor and ensure the security of applications and their data.
• Research emerging technologies to address challenges in enterprise services and systems.

Application Development

• Design, build, test, and enhance custom applications.
• Independently manage and execute projects submitted by campus partners, applying the appropriate project management methodology—whether waterfall, agile, or hybrid—based on scope, complexity, and stakeholder needs.
• Consult with stakeholders to evaluate needs, gather requirements, and develop proposals, specifications, and project plans.
• Develop APIs and integrations to support academic workflows.
• Quality Assurance: Performing testing, debugging, code reviews, and ensuring security/usability.
• Agile development, CI/CD, automated testing.
• Migrate Canvas-related, custom applications to cloud platforms (e.g., Azure).
• Document requirements, design specifications, code, and implementation processes.
• Keep current with software development trends, make suggestions, and take action on IT-related best practices, processes, and systems.
• Utilize new technologies appropriately to streamline development efforts and reduce technical debt. (e.g. Github Copilot)

Customer Support

• Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 support for Canvas, CampusCE, eCampus, and related systems.
• Build and nurture strong relationships with campus partners, and functional users.
• Partner with OIT teams to support authentication, security, data governance, and change management processes related to the Canvas ecosystem.

Vendor Management

• Serve as a liaison between Instructure and other vendors of systems related to Canvas.
• Maintain an in-house prioritized roadmap of vendor enhancements.
• Assist management with product roadmaps and vendor support and issues related to Canvas and related third party LMS systems.
• Collaborate with learning technology and content vendors to promptly address any end-user, internal, or system-related performance or functionality concerns.
• Stay connected to the Canvas community and keep up to date with the latest product enhancements. Bring relevant features into the Princeton University ecosystem.

Essential Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting Canvas and related technologies.
• Expertise in Canvas system administration and integrations with Student Information Systems (SIS) and other third-party tools (e.g., Zoom, Panopto, CampusCE, and eCampus.)
• Demonstrated ability to set up and support imports for course, instructor, and student data from SIS and ensure proper course set up in Canvas.
• Ability to manage third-party solutions integrated with Canvas, including implementation and ongoing support of their LTI connections.
• Ability to collaborate with management on vendor and contract related matters.
• Experience working with vendors and their support teams and ticketing systems to resolve technical issues.
• Strong programming skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JSON, and high-level languages such as Python and Java.
• Ability to build, support, and maintain custom applications used with Canvas.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and handle sensitive and confidential data securely.
• Commitment to staying current with emerging technologies for solving evolving needs.
• Strong knowledge of and experience in software development methodologies and best practices especially Agile methodology.
• Expertise building and maintaining automated processes.
• Experience with databases and SQL queries
• Understanding of web services, APIs, and cloud platforms

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualification:

• Substantial experience in a higher education setting.
• Enthusiasm for continuous learning and skill development.
• Project management experience.
• Strong understanding of REST APIs, data architecture, and relational databases.
• Proficiency with Python and Java
• Experience with Docker
• Strong understanding of data design, architecture, relational databases, and data modeling.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.