Principal Engineer – Partner Platform, APIs & Ecosystem Services at Quizlet

San Francisco, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

EdTech, TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

10+ years of engineering experience with large-scale, multi-tenant API or developer platforms
Strong track record designing extensible, secure APIs, SDKs, and plugin systems
Deep understanding of agent frameworks like MCP, protocol design, and AI/LLM interoperability
Significant experience building platform abstractions and developer enablement layers
Hands-on expertise with containerized services, OAuth 2.0, gRPC/REST, and event-driven systems
Passion for building platforms that enable scale, intelligence, and trust
Fluency with platform security, privacy, and system design
Proven ability to lead architectural transformation while shipping continuously

Responsibilities

Own and evolve the external API gateway, SDKs, and developer tooling
Design sandboxed plugin runtimes to support real-time learning triggers across platforms like Discord, Google Calendar, Grammarly
Architect Quizlet’s participation in agent-driven ecosystems, to integrate into AI services, like ChatGPT, Comet, Chrome
Define APIs that allow external agents to create study sets, track progress, or initiate learning actions programmatically
Collaborate with Legal and T&S to implement audit, rate limiting, and permissions for third-party integrations
Design publish-subscribe infrastructure for syncing learning activity across systems

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

API ArchitectureAPI GatewaySDKsDeveloper ToolingPlugin ArchitectureConnector ServicesScalable InfrastructureLMS IntegrationsAI AgentsAutonomous WorkflowsSandboxingReal-time Triggers

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this position remote or onsite?

This is an onsite position in Quizlet's San Francisco office, requiring employees to be in the office a minimum of three days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and as needed by your manager or the company.

What experience level is required for this role?

The role requires 10+ years of engineering experience with large-scale, multi-tenant API or developer platforms.

What key skills are needed for the Principal Engineer role?

Candidates need a strong track record designing extensible, secure APIs, SDKs, and plugin systems; deep understanding of agent frameworks like MCP, protocol design, and AI/LLM interoperability; significant experience building platform abstractions and developer enablement layers; and hands-on expertise with containerized services.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this Principal Engineer position?

A strong candidate will have 10+ years of experience with large-scale API platforms, expertise in designing secure APIs, SDKs, plugin systems, agent frameworks like MCP, AI/LLM interoperability, platform abstractions, and containerized services.

Quizlet

Develops educational tools for students and teachers

About Quizlet

Quizlet develops educational tools designed to inspire and empower students and teachers. It serves over 60 million active users each month and is recognized as one of the top education apps available on iOS and Android. Quizlet's products include various learning tools that help users study and retain information effectively. The platform offers both free and premium subscription services, allowing users to access additional features and resources. Unlike many competitors, Quizlet has a large user base and a strong presence in the education technology market, which enhances its community and resource sharing. The company's goal is to create a significant global impact in education by providing accessible and effective learning solutions.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2005Year Founded

$60.3MTotal Funding

SERIES_CCompany Stage

Consumer Software, EducationIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Shared financial success: Competitive salaries, stock options and a 401k that makes saving for retirement easy.

Competitive healthcare: Comprehensive health, dental, vision and disability plans for you and your family.

PTO and family benefits: Everyone gets four weeks of PTO. Our generous family leave plan has you covered when you welcome a new, little learner into your family.

Professional development: Learning never stops. Get reimbursed each year for professional development, and learn from the best with regular tech talks.

A welcoming workplace: Enjoy free lunch and dinner with great company. Benefit from adjustable desks and employee lounges while taking in amazing views of the Bay.

Commuter benefits: We don’t have a school bus, but we'll help cover your public transportation and parking. If you decide to work late, your ride home is on us as well.

Risks

Increased competition from AI-driven platforms like Khan Academy and Duolingo.

Recent U.S. outage may decrease user trust and retention.

New CEO's strategic shifts could disrupt operations or alienate existing users.

Differentiation

Quizlet offers AI-powered features like Magic Notes and Memory Score for personalized learning.

The platform's gamification strategy includes features like Quizlet Challenge and Quizlet Learn.

Quizlet's Q-Chat beta feature aligns with the trend of conversational AI in education.

Upsides

Quizlet's new CEO, Beidler, may drive fresh strategic direction and innovation.

Intentional slowing of AI adoption focuses on quality, ensuring sustainable long-term growth.

AI-powered features enhance user engagement, potentially increasing retention and user base.

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