Lead Software Engineer - Tech Incubation Team

The Lead Software Engineer on the Tech Incubation Team operates onsite in Des Moines, IA. This role combines system design with hands-on development to turn ambiguous ideas into prototypes and MVPs, delivering AI-enabled capabilities while mentoring engineers and collaborating with product, design, architecture, security, and business stakeholders. A bachelor’s degree and hands-on development experience are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead system design and hands-on development for Wellmark Technology Incubation initiatives, converting unclear concepts into functional prototypes and MVPs with speed.
• Act as a builder and technical catalyst, rapidly experimenting, iterating, and delivering proofs of value that explore new capabilities, including agentic and AI-enabled development, to unlock future business outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with product, design, architecture, security, and business stakeholders to shape ideas, validate assumptions, and translate opportunities into scalable development paths.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor to other engineers, establishing lightweight patterns and guardrails that preserve quality and security while enabling fast, learn-fast delivery.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, MIS, or related field of study with at least five years of development experience across technologies such as Angular, Node.js, Python, C++, .NET, SQL; or nine years of related and applicable experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, high attention to detail, and a proven track record of troubleshooting and delivering innovative technical solutions.
• Experience with software development lifecycle methodologies.
• Proven ability to communicate with and coach team members, modeling a constructive attitude, composure under pressure, approachability, and accountability for outcomes.
• Strategic thinker capable of translating the value of the Wellmark as a Service (WaaS) strategy into company-level decisions during design and development.
• Proficiency in gathering information, conducting root-cause analysis, problem definition, solution implementation, verification, and ongoing optimization using data to support recommendations.
• Ability to build relationships to secure stakeholder buy-in and communicate key information promptly, adapting communication style to the audience.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities; strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to meet deadlines with minimal direction while maintaining data integrity.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current on industry trends.
• Collaborative team player who earns trust and respects peers, leadership, and stakeholders; open to coaching feedback and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading and supporting diverse development teams, including global staffing or crowdsourcing models.

Technologies

• Node.js
• TypeScript
• AWS
• Azure

Additional Information

• Lead system development and engineering for highly complex programs, coordinating preparation, coding, testing, and debugging, and designing workflows that leverage emerging technology to meet evolving business needs.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in implementing innovative and cost-effective solutions for multiple applications and systems, incorporating IT practices, business considerations, and industry trends.
• Provide leadership, training, and guidance to teammates in information gathering, root-cause analysis, problem definition, solution implementation, verification, and ongoing optimization; ensure defect analysis informs improvement opportunities.
• Mentor and collaborate with other technology areas to implement solutions and adopt new or enhanced software and applications.
• Coordinate with company resources to integrate products and processes and deliver timely results with strong customer service.
• Leverage established relationships with Wellmark leaders and act as a primary consultant on business status, issues, process improvements, and technology capabilities.
• Participate in project proposals, estimates, and proof-of-concept activities as needed.
• Maintain awareness of industry best practices and standards, participating in knowledge groups and providing direction for enterprise standards; conduct code reviews and monitor adherence.
• Other duties as assigned.