Software Developer - Hybrid in AZ or MI [SD2-2026-08]

What We're Looking For

Agate is hiring a Software Developer II to help build and improve a mission-critical product in a fast-moving, evolving environment. This is a hands-on, mid-level role for a builder who thrives when things are imperfect: requirements evolve, priorities shift, and the team needs someone who can take ownership, make sound technical decisions, and drive work to completion.

You’ll work across the stack - SQL is a must-have - and you’ll also contribute to our application layers (backend services/middle tier and front-end). You don’t need to have spent your whole career in .NET, but you do need meaningful experience building and maintaining real web applications using a backend language and database-driven systems.

This role is ideal for a solutions-oriented developer who enjoys solving hard problems with limited oversight, values pragmatic engineering and continuous improvement, and is comfortable operating in an Agile delivery model.

What You'll Do

• Deliver end-to-end features across the database, backend/middle tier, and front-end layers (SQL + .NET + HTML/CSS/JS).
• Own medium-to-high complexity work from refinement through implementation, testing support, and release.
• Write and maintain SQL stored procedures, functions, and scripts, including indexing basics, query tuning, and performance-minded design.
• Contribute to backend logic in VB.NET or C#.NET (or bring strong transferable backend experience and ramp quickly).
• Build and enhance front-end components using HTML, CSS/Bootstrap, and JavaScript.
• Collaborate with QA to improve test coverage and ensure the completeness of authored work.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies (refinement, estimation, planning) and help the team deliver predictably.
• Perform code reviews, reinforce patterns/standards, and raise overall code quality
• Support requirement clarity by partnering with Product/BA peers on technical approaches and acceptance criteria.
• Mentor Software Developer I teammates through pairing, reviews, and practical guidance.

What You'll Bring

• Professional experience building production software where you’ve shipped and supported real features (not just prototypes).
• Strong SQL capability: stored procedures, basic indexing, query optimization, and validation/testing.
• Experience contributing to a web application at one or more layers beyond the database, including meaningful backend development (language/framework may vary).
• Working proficiency in VB.NET or C#.NET (or a close equivalent with the ability to ramp quickly).
• Front-end fundamentals: HTML, CSS (Bootstrap), JavaScript.
• Practical experience working in Agile (Scrum, Kanban, or SAFe).
• Able to work with limited direction, turn ambiguity into action, and communicate tradeoffs clearly.
• Strong problem-solving skills-debugging, root cause analysis, and performance troubleshooting mindset.
• Solid grasp of intermediate engineering concepts such as modular design, state management, asynchronous patterns, and managing dependencies.
• Can analyze requirements and propose sound technical approaches before writing code.
• Comfortable contributing in an environment where priorities can shift quickly and outcomes matter more than ceremony.

What Success Looks Like (within your first year)

• Delivered multiple meaningful features end-to-end (database → backend → UI) with minimal rework and strong quality.
• Demonstrated SQL performance competence - you can identify inefficient queries, tune stored procedures, and apply indexing basics appropriately.
• Become a trusted contributor in the backend codebase, able to implement complex business logic and troubleshoot defects across layers.
• Improved team throughput through strong Agile participation (refinement, estimation, planning) and proactive risk/blocker identification.
• Positively influenced code quality through thoughtful reviews, adherence to patterns/standards, and pragmatic engineering decisions.
• Supported growth of junior teammates through mentoring and guidance.

What Makes This Role Exciting

• High ownership, real impact: You’ll work on core systems where your improvements show up quickly in performance, reliability, and customer experience.
• Builder-friendly environment: If you’re the kind of developer who likes rolling up your sleeves, untangling complexity, and shipping practical solutions, you’ll have plenty of room to do that here.
• Broader scope than a typical mid-level role: You’ll touch SQL and application layers - not just one narrow slice - building strong “how the whole thing works” instincts.
• Opportunity to level up fast: You’ll be surrounded by real-world problems (performance, maintainability, evolving requirements) that accelerate learning and technical maturity.
• Autonomy with clear expectations: We’re hiring for someone who can contribute in more than one area of the system and take ownership of meaningful work, who want a strong step-up in ownership and responsibility, without being expected to operate as a fully senior “architect/lead everything” profile.