Senior Staff Platform Engineer - Database 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 backend or platform engineering experience, with 5+ focused on large-scale database systems
Proven experience architecting high-throughput, low-latency database infrastructures in production environments
Deep expertise in MySQL and PlanetScale; strong proficiency with Cloud Spanner, Postgres, or BigQuery
Experience building and leading platform-level automation and self-service tooling using Terraform, Kubernetes (GKE), and Python or Go
Expertise in observability, monitoring, and incident management for distributed data systems
Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, SRE, and product leadership
Passion for building systems that are secure, resilient, and developer-friendly

Responsibilities

Architect and evolve Quizlet’s database ecosystem, including Cloud Spanner, PlanetScale MySQL, BigQuery, and Redis, ensuring low latency, strong consistency, and high availability
Set technical direction for database reliability, observability, and disaster recovery patterns across all product teams
Lead large-scale modernization initiatives, including performance tuning, connection management optimization, and query efficiency improvements
Drive platform-wide resilience, building self-healing, automated systems that maintain 99.95% availability across critical services
Mentor and guide engineers in best practices for database design, caching, and operational excellence
Partner with leadership to define SLOs, shape roadmap priorities, and align platform strategy with Quizlet’s product and AI initiatives
Contribute to architecture reviews and company-wide infrastructure standards for data storage, access, and security

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Cloud SpannerPlanetScale MySQLBigQueryRedisDatabase ArchitecturePerformance TuningQuery OptimizationConnection ManagementReliability EngineeringObservabilityDisaster RecoveryCachingData InfrastructureScalabilityHigh Availability

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this role remote or onsite?

This is an onsite position in Quizlet's San Francisco office, requiring employees to be onsite a minimum of three days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

What salary or compensation does this role offer?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What skills and experience are required for this Senior Staff Platform Engineer role?

Candidates need 10+ years of backend or platform engineering experience with 5+ years focused on large-scale database systems, proven experience architecting high-throughput low-latency database infrastructures, deep expertise in MySQL and PlanetScale, strong proficiency with Cloud Spanner, Postgres, or BigQuery, and experience with Terraform, Kubernetes (GKE), and Python or Go.

What does Quizlet's company culture or work environment look like?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

A strong candidate has 10+ years of backend or platform engineering experience with deep expertise in large-scale databases like MySQL, PlanetScale, Cloud Spanner, and experience leading modernization initiatives, automation with Terraform and Kubernetes, and mentoring engineers.

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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