IT Appslications Programmer Consultant

Our people help make Progressive a successful, energetic, forward-moving organization. Time after time, we have turned the insurance industry upside down through our innovative services and use of technology.  Working at Progressive means having extensive career path opportunities and the chance to work with diverse, bright colleagues in a dynamic atmosphere where results are rewarded. As the fourth largest auto insurer in the country, we have a reputation for being a company doing business the right way with solid core values. Come join a team of enthusiastic people who are changing the insurance industry one big idea at a time.

This position is responsible for streamlining highly complex, cost-effective information technology solutions for major business processes and strategies by designing new or enhancing existing software programs/applications or components. Works on high impact projects involving the application of substantial knowledge of systems integration requirements across multiple IT groups and technologies. Design solutions will typically involve the coordination of several IT teams with complex interaction patterns. Assists others in the steps involved in the life cycle of software development. Makes recommendations to improve software delivery methods. May make recommendations ensure code quality across IT teams. Identifies and implements new testing approaches. Responsibilities may also include on-going support and maintenance of applications. May also work on assignments related to software architecture or lead iterations for delivery of software application functionality.

Sought out as an expert and unique individual contributor to help advise and address challenges related technologies, application development, approach and methodologies. Works on problems of significant and critical impact and complexity where analysis of situations or data requires review of a variety of factors and creativity to determine an appropriate solution. Exercises superior judgment in selecting methods and techniques to solve problems. Implements and oversees improvements to processes and procedures. Serves as an escalation point and training resource to less experienced programmers. Stays current with industry trends and looks for ways to educate other teams and resources on emerging technologies in a way that balances cost with practical application of the new technologies. Involved in developing or enhancing IT standards.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (% of Time):
(Specific responsibilities and % of time may differ depending on the needs of the department and/or the needs of business area being supported.)

100% Software/Application Development, Maintenance and Architectural Improvements
- Analyzes systems and business data, developing design solutions that will consider the strategic direction of business goals and IT technologies, which could include identifying what technology will be used, identifying opportunities for code reuse explaining the rational for application of any new technologies balancing cost and system maintainability. Informs others of the limitations of the system or platform structures. Collaborates on architectural design proposals as needed. Makes recommendations for, and implements the best way to proceed with the development and/or modification. Practices techniques to support the creation of more stable and effective software.
- Evaluates testing approaches and making recommendations for and implementing improvements to integration, acceptance, performance and stress testing. Identifies opportunities to improve testing effectiveness with utilities and automation.
- Prepares documentation as needed throughout the software program/application development and/or modification processes, which includes design documents and system flowcharts. Prepares presentations and/or documents for upper management regarding software application developments and/or enhancements. Maintains models of the software environment that shows all software parts and their relationships.
- Functions as an escalation point for other technical resources and various levels of management, which includes mentoring, training, helping others learn and implement new technologies, and developing training and technical documentation. Assists and performance code reviews with other programmers in Delivery to drive standards, consistency and drive overall technical quality. May write or modify code as needed.- Functions as the key Delivery technical advocate to other PAIT as well as outside of PAIT technical teams. This person will be responsible for understanding technical impacts of changes or new enhancements that will affect the delivery space and assist in determining ways to operationalize within PAIT Delivery.
- Functions as a technical resource or technical lead on large projects. Responsibilities may include developing and designing technical specifications for projects, creating Unit and Integration test beds for projects, coordinating with other IT teams that may be affected by certain technical direction decisions, identifying opportunities for reusable or shareable code. Typically, consults on cross-platform interactions.
- Assists with the development and implementation of coding standards to ensure the consistency of written code, which may include reviewing modules to ensure standards are being followed, and working with teams to ensure coding and work standards are being adhered to.
- Assists with enhancing and implementing existing processes and software development methodologies.
- Supports the architectural needs of various Company systems, which may include participating in the process of looking at the future state of various Company systems, and identifying architectural changes to support Company needs and system interactions. Looks for opportunities to share and/or reuse system capabilities.
- Participates in setting the direction for system changes and/or enhancements that span multiple systems.
- Participates on technical leadership committees or teams.

The IT Apps Programmer Consultant may be asked to perform any of the following roles:
Solution Architect - accountable for the technical integrity, system quality, fitness-for-purpose, and conformance to the enterprise architecture of business and technical solutions. They have overall responsibility for the design of one or more solutions across multiple platforms or domains, and are responsible for working with the appropriate domain architects to ensure that their solutions are in alignment with the architectures and roadmaps for those areas.

Domain Architect - sets architecture strategic direction and establish roadmaps for specific business, information, application and/or technology areas. Domain Architects are responsible for ensuring the capabilities and cost effectiveness of their domain areas are aligned to the needs of the business and in agreement with the overall enterprise architecture. Each business and IT platform is considered to be a domain. Additional domains may be defined where appropriate through consultation between the platform owners, domain architects, and EA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS EXPERIENCE:
Education Requirements: Bachelor's Degree in an Information Technology, or related discipline, which could include Computer Science, Information Systems (IS) or Management Information Systems (MIS). In lieu of a degree, related work experience will be accepted.

Work Experience Requirements: - Must have at least 10-12 years of related work experience designing/developing, programming, and supporting software programs/applications in mainframe or client server environments.
- Must have exceptional knowledge of software applications, computer coding /programming language and software development life cycle.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with others and lead others through change.
- The ability to work in a team-oriented environment and independently organize work resources from current team or other teams to solve technical problems.
- The ability to consider technical decisions as part of a multidimensional problem, balancing standards, principles, project management disciplines (time, cost, schedules), team norms (consultation, decision-making, communication) and process.
- Exceptional organization skills with the ability to work on multiple projects and/or assignment simultaneously.
- The ability to support department goals that align with current and future Company objectives and initiatives.
- Exceptional negotiation skills with the ability to find successful resolutions for moderate to complex issues, escalating those that require management involvement, when necessary.
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and changing priorities.
- The ability to effectively troubleshoot system problems by identifying and implementing software or process changes that allow business transactions to continue with minimal risk.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Typical office environment.

Typical work hours, but additional hours may be necessary to complete assigned tasks, and may be required to be on-call to support specific business areas.

Some travel required.

Progressive is a place where you are celebrated for the person you are, the ideas you bring and the energy you invest.

Apply now to find out what it's like to be a part of this exceptional group of collegial individuals or “Explore your Progressive Side” by visiting us jobs.progressive.com.  Once you complete your application, you'll be able to monitor your status in the hiring process by logging back into your profile at any time.  A representative from our Talent Advisor Group will be in touch if you are under consideration and moving forward in the process. Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V.