Associate Software Engineer

Associate Software Engineer - Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking an Associate Software Engineer to join our EnCore ERP development team. You will work on a large-scale, mission-critical enterprise resource planning system serving the corrugated packaging manufacturing industry. As an entry-level engineer, you will build foundational skills in C#/.NET development, database design, and software quality practices while contributing to a mature, production system used by manufacturing customers worldwide.

This role emphasizes learning, code quality, and data integrity over breadth of features. You will write code that handles financial transactions, inventory management, and production scheduling—where correctness is non-negotiable.

Key Responsibilities

• Write safe, testable C# code that follows enterprise standards for parameter binding, exception handling, and resource cleanup.
• Develop and maintain SQL queries that correctly handle joins, grouping, null values, and transaction boundaries.
• Debug systematically using logs, breakpoints, and methodical reasoning rather than trial-and-error.
• Participate in code review as both author and reviewer, learning from peers and contributing to team code quality.
• Implement features and bug fixes from specification, with attention to edge cases and test coverage.
• Own your learning curve—ask questions, document unfamiliar patterns, and build mental models of the codebase.
• Collaborate across functional areas—work with QA, product, and customer success to understand business requirements and validate solutions.

AI Proficiency (L1: AI Aware)

Scope: Self-directed learning and individual task support

• Understanding: Recognize when AI tools (Claude, GitHub Copilot, etc.) can accelerate learning and coding, and when human judgment is required.
• Usage: Ask AI for explanations of unfamiliar code patterns, database concepts, and debugging techniques.
• Validation: Understand that AI can hallucinate or provide incorrect solutions; always verify generated code before committing.
• Policy compliance: Follow team policies on data safety, secrets handling, and appropriate use of AI tools.
• Risk awareness: Recognize basic risks: AI-generated code without understanding, over-reliance on suggestions, accidental data leakage.

Examples:

• Use Claude to explain unfamiliar patterns or  Code behavior.
• Ask GitHub Copilot for SQL boilerplate while you verify the logic.
• Request AI help explaining error messages or debugging strategies.
• Always review AI-generated code and understand it before committing.

Required Qualifications

Technical Foundation

• C# and .NET Framework fundamentals:
• Understanding of value types vs. reference types and when each applies.
• Ability to use LINQ and collections (List, Dictionary).
• Familiarity with async/await patterns.
• Knowledge of exception handling and the using statement for resource cleanup.
• SQL fundamentals:
• Ability to write SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE queries.
• Understanding of INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, GROUP BY, and WHERE vs. HAVING clauses.
• Correct use of IS NULL / IS NOT NULL instead of equality comparisons with NULL.
• Understanding of transactions and why related operations belong in a single transaction.
• Ability to use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection.
• Data safety and quality:
• Recognition that SQL parameters protect against injection, quoting issues, and data format problems.
• Understanding that UI validation is not sufficient—database constraints and application logic must enforce integrity.
• Knowledge of why catching exceptions without handling them is dangerous.
• Awareness that disabling buttons or showing confirmation dialogs must be paired with database-level uniqueness constraints.
• Debugging discipline:
• Ability to step through code with a debugger and inspect variable state.
• Habit of reviewing logs and error messages before guessing at causes.
• Understanding of when to add logging vs. when to set breakpoints.
• Willingness to write small test cases to isolate problems.

General Competencies

• Communication: Explain unfamiliar code in plain language; ask clarifying questions about business requirements.
• Ownership: Take responsibility for code quality, testing, and correctness rather than shipping and hoping.
• Curiosity: Understand the "why" behind patterns and best practices, not just the syntax.
• Collaboration: Work well with code reviewers, QA, and cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with a relational database (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Oracle).
• Familiarity with web development (ASP.NET, WinForms, or similar).
• Understanding of version control (Git, Azure DevOps, or similar).
• Experience with unit testing frameworks or test-driven development.
• Exposure to enterprise software or ERP systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field (or equivalent self-directed learning).

Work Environment & Culture

• Mature codebase: 13,000+ C# files across 50+ modules. You'll learn from established patterns and existing code.
• Customer-focused: Your code impacts real manufacturing operations. Correctness and reliability are paramount.
• Collaborative: Code review, pair programming, and mentorship are standard practices.
• Production mindset: You'll work with SQL Server, financial transactions, and multi-user scenarios from day one.
• Learning curve: You are not expected to know PPJ Web, WiseJ, or EnCore-specific frameworks on day one. You'll learn these through hands-on development and mentorship. To be updated

Assessment Criteria

During interviews and in early assignments, we evaluate:

1. Data safety – You never concatenate user input into SQL and always validate data before persisting.
2. SQL correctness – You understand joins, nulls, grouping, and can write efficient queries.
3. Code quality – Your code is readable, follows team conventions, and includes error handling.
4. Testing mindset – You think about edge cases, empty inputs, and failure modes before shipping.
5. Learning ability – You ask questions, research unfamiliar patterns, and integrate feedback quickly.
6. Debugging discipline – You investigate problems systematically and document findings.

Growth Path

Within 12 months, a successful Associate Software Engineer will:

• Ship 5–10 features or bug fixes independently with minimal review revisions.
• Mentor newer engineers by explaining code and design decisions.
• Reduce code review cycle time by writing safer, more complete code the first time.
• Understand the business domain (order entry, invoicing, scheduling, inventory, etc.) well enough to flag edge cases during specification.

Beyond Associate level, growth leads to Software Engineer II (intermediate) and Software Engineer III (senior) roles, with increasing responsibility for system design, mentorship, and strategic projects.