Associate Software Engineer

Amtech is hiring for the role of Associate Software Engineer!

Responsibilities of the Candidate:

• 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.

Requirements:

• 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
• 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 team