Come do TDD in beautiful, scenic Pittsburgh

We currently have an opening for a mid-level software developer at my employer, Matrix Solutions, based in Pittsburgh, PA.  This is an excellent opportunity to work with some truly incredible people at an awesome company.  Here are some the major qualities that we're looking for...

• 2 - 3 years of experience with .NET, preferably C#.  Honestly, we're willing to consider any significant experience with any object oriented language, however.  What's important to us is that you have a strong grasp of the fundamentals of development...not that you've memorized all seven parameters of the System.Reflection.Assembly.CreateInstance() method.
• Experience with relational databases and SQL.  You don't necessarily need to be a guru, but you do need to have a solid understanding of basic SQL and the fundamentals of relational databases.  Of course, if that experience is with SQL Server 2005 or SQL CE, then even better.
  
• Experience with agile development methodologies.  We're currently using a modified implementation of SCRUM so significant experience with SCRUM would be awesome but as long as you understand and appreciate the ideas behind agile that's really all we're concerned about.
• A strong grasp of object oriented development and the classic design patterns literature.
• Experience with, or for the right person, a strong desire to learn test driven development.  This is perhaps the most important qualification on the list and the one that we're least likely to bend on.  The project you will be working on is a TDD project and you'll need to be willing to embrace this aspect of how we work.
• A passion for new technologies.  We're currently developing against pieces of .NET 3.5 (Orcas) for key portions of our product and will likely begin working with LINQ in the very near future.  You need to be brave enough to jump into bleeding edge tech and identify what works and what doesn't in a very short timeframe.  This also means that you'll be comfortable working with "early" documentation (i.e., non-existent) and that you know how to find answers  to the tough questions yourself using this guy.
• A passion for what you do.  You have to love to code and want to constantly improve yourself.  We'll provide you every opportunity and resource possible for you to grow as a developer, but we'll expect you to provide the want and desire.
  

And, as you may expect, there many "nice to haves" that you'll want to mention should you decide to apply...

• Our product is a smart client project so any experience with smart client development, or related technologies, would be a huge bonus.  This would include supporting technologies such as the Smart Client Software Factory, ClickOnce, SCOAB, or ASP.NET web services.
  
• Along that same vein, experience with the Enterprise Library would also be helpful.
• Significant experience with WinForms and/or the DevExpress suite of Windows Forms components.
• Any MCP developer certifications (MCTS, MCPD, MCAD/MCSD).  We don't necessarily believe that a certification prepares you for everything but we're also not convinced that their value can be totally discounted.  Regardless of their perception in the industry, we're a Microsoft Certified Partner-ISV so those certifications do have a certain business value to us.
• Experience with, and a fan-boy like love for, ReSharper.

Although all of these qualities and skills are important, nothing is more important than finding the right person who wants to come to work every day with the right attitude and deliver a great product.  If you feel that you may be that person but that you are missing a few of the qualities we've mentioned above then don't be discouraged, drop us a line and let's talk about what you can offer.

Now here's a bit about the company.  Matrix Solutions is a small, family oriented company who is the leading provider of CRM solutions to the media industry.  Our customers range from your local hometown stations to some of the biggest networks in the business.  Aside from a comprehensive benefits package and a competitive pay rate, we offer numerous other benefits such as a company library and company wellness programs, free massages, and all of the M&M and cheddar flavored Goldfish you can eat.  We are also housed in award winning office space in Pittsburgh, PA which was recently named America's Most Livable City by the PlacesRated Almanac and a Top Ten Tech Town, or "Geek Mecca", by Wired Magazine.

In regards to your position as a developer, we offer flexible tasking and strive to make sure that our developers work on what they want to work on while still growing and stretching out professionally.  We offer various forms of training through an extensive department library, a regular lunch and learn schedule, and a growing career mentoring program.  We will also provide you with the finest tools that money can buy, but don't necessarily believe that all of the finest tools come with the highest prices (*ahem* Subversion :).  We are also firm believers that after about 8 hours in a day you're probably going to do more harm then good.  Translation: we don't do 10 hour days and don't expect you to either.  Also...NO ONE here owns a pager.

If this sounds like something that interests you, or you'd like to simply know more.  Please drop us a line through the Contact page of my website, or directly to me at my professional email at jjarrell(AT)matrixplus.com.  We're hoping to fill this position as soon as possible so if you'd like to be considered, don't hesitate to get in touch.111112111112