Perfectly boring little post, nothing to see here, move along...
I’m not going to bother with rumor-launching headlines or search-engine grabbing keywords or stock symbols & name-dropping, and all that tech blog buzz that clogs up most talk of ebooks and devices. This is just a quiet little post — a shared secret between me and my regular readers. You know, I don’t think I’ll even publicize this, past posting it to the blog.
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It’s rather amazing what one can find on the internet, if you know where to look. I rather enjoy looking at the want ads.
no, not for Atlanta. [Have a job; kinda love it actually — I get to spend 40 hours a week with books. Even the bad stuff is “good” after a fashion as it is continual fodder for blog posts.]
Instead of looking for a new job, I like to look at jobs available in Palo Alto, CA. Did you know Barnes & Noble Digital is based in Palo Alto? [of course you do, I told you myself like a year ago. How quickly we forget…]
So what’s up in Palo Alto?
[note: links below valid as of 9PM EST 17 May 2011 – but these are job listings, and not permanent web pages.]
They’re looking for the usual, scarce talent (in fact, they’re also hiring headhunters…) and in the usual flavours — Android, Flash, Webkit, Bug fixes & OS optimization — past the usual, though, it starts to get really interesting.
Senior Services Delivery Engineer
“The B&N Cloud Services team in Palo Alto has built a brand new set of services which the NOOKcolor device is using for several functions including eBook browsing, searching, and purchasing, as well as social networking features. Bring your skills and experience in data center automation to minimize downtime, improve the code deployment process, and expand automation in all areas.”
Why, I had no idea B&N had a Cloud Services team. What else are we going to find?
Senior Java Cloud Services Developer
“if you are a Java Software Engineer with back end development experience or a Java Senior Server Engineer who has solved complex scalability, performance, and or optimization issues, then this position should interest you! We are working on designing and operating a highly optimized mobile services platform and we are looking for Java server engineers that have a strong background in core platform server development to join the team.”
So Java engineers to work on the servers — but for what?
Business Development Manager, 3rd Party Apps & Services
just wait until you read the job description:
“The primary objective in this role is to manage and grow key business partnerships, especially in the areas of music and video…” and “Contribute to the development and refinement of Barnes & Noble’s strategy around media & digital content.”
And then there’s this listing:
Product Manager, Mobile Clients
“The Product Manager for Mobile Clients is responsible for the product planning and execution throughout the product lifecycle for Barnes & Noble Nook eReader mobile client software. This includes gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements, defining the product vision, and working closely with the content acquisition teams, product marketing, engineering and customer service to ensure that revenue and customer satisfaction goals are met. The Product Manager’s job also includes ensuring that the product supports the company’s overall strategy and goals.” [emphasis mine]
and
iOS Developer (iphone, objecitve C)
“Join the eReading and eCommerce eVolution. Simply put, building great software is the most important thing we do at BN.com. Whether it’s our eBookstore, our fastest growing product line, offering content on multiple mobile platforms, or continuing to grow our award-winning eCommerce shopping platform, you will personally have the opportunity to build software solutions used by millions of customers. In our NYC and Palo Alto offices, we’re making significant investments to create a world-class team of Software Engineers, Architects, and Technical Leads who will thrive in our solution-focused, collaborative culture.
***We are looking to hire multiple iOS consultants and employees for a major initiative***” [emphasis in original listing]
Oh my, that does sound exciting. That was first posted 13 days ago. [4 May 2011]
edit: or *reposted* at that point in time. Here’s the thing: I can’t find confirmation of the above job posting at the official corporate site so I’m thinking this is an undeleted artefact from at least 30 months ago, before the original B&N iPhone app launched. Note the different tone used, and the reference to “significant investment” rather than to the currently-up-and-running B&N Digital division. Still, the cloud stuff and video content could be cool, even without a new iPad app. [/endnote]
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The Nook Color won’t be standing still:
“Candidate will be responsible for architecture and design of current and next generation B&N e-readers. Engineer will be responsible for schematic of design and choice of key components in conjunction with JDM manufacturer in Asia. Responsible for supervision of pcb layout as well as board level BOM. Definition of all testing and analysis of prototype systems. Work with JDM to bring up and debug system level boards. Work with mechanical designers to define form factor and clearances. Manage JDM regarding support in the areas of layout and signal integrity testing. Work as a team lead or senior designer in a team of 2-3 EE’s per project”
“Barnes and Noble are searching for world-class software engineers to join the Android platform development team. In your role you will be responsible for the design, implement, and optimize multimedia system software for Barnes and Noble’s NOOKcolor product line leveraging its hardware acceleration and enabling cutting edge digital media use cases in the areas of audio, video, and image playback and capture. Advanced use cases include HD content delivery and playback leveraging streaming video and encryption, video telephony, etc.” [awkward grammar in original listing. Ooo, not so professional — hope they fix that, or fill this position (these positions) soon.]
tantalizing hardware and features aside, I also like the fact that B&N will be paying to make it look good:
“The Art Director is responsible for driving the creative vision, direction and development of all visual design assets for Barnes & Noble, Digital Products. This person is responsible for conceptualizing the visual identity of our digital products, as well as ensuring visual and brand consistency across all experiences. The Art Director also manages the Design Team, providing creative direction and hands on support to digital artists, ensuring their workload is manageable and the output is high quality and on brand.”
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These are just job listings, and reflect expectations & required skill sets: not actual job responsibilities or finished products. I’d be reading a lot into these if I were to extrapolate future hardware or applications just from a handful of classified ads that are likely going to disappear soon anyway.
Oh, but it’s fun to guess.
Here’s one I should probably apply for
“Be a part of the digital reading evolution! Since its debut, NOOK and the Barnes & Noble.com eBookstore have received accolade upon accolade from the most well-respected technology and consumer electronic pubs in the industry. We’ve assembled a team of the top thought leaders in Software Architecture, Product Management, Consumer Electronics, Supply Chain and Mobile technology. At NOOK’s epicenter… our growing Palo Alto office has an opportunity for an Executive Administrative Assistant with a track record of success supporting Engineering Executives. In this individual contributor role, based in Palo Alto, CA, you’ll be responsible for supporting the success of 2 engineering executives and their teams.”
—except I’m a book seller, have been for 10 years. I’m probably not qualified ;)
