Staff Software Engineer, Backend at Grindr

Palo Alto, California, United States

Grindr Logo
$171,000 – $229,000Compensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
TechnologyIndustries

Requirements

  • 7+ years of experience as a Software Engineer contributing to Backend Systems (Service APIs, Data Processing, Messaging Services)
  • Experience designing and implementing large-scale systems for high load and data consistency in a microservice-based architecture
  • Experience designing systems that make heavy and efficient use of Cloud Services, AWS preferred
  • Passionate about testing software and systems
  • Deep understanding of concurrency concepts and trade-offs
  • Love figuring things out and understanding how they work end-to-end
  • Experience with the JVM and at least one JVM language such as Java, Kotlin, and Scala
  • Experience designing and productionizing large-scale distributed systems
  • (Preferred) Experience developing Production systems using Kotlin, Postgres, and Kafka
  • (Preferred) Experience in mentoring / skilling up less experienced developers

Responsibilities

  • Lead projects and other engineers to implement new features and coordinate closely with the product and design teams
  • Own the design and development of Grindr’s backend services in a stable and scalable microservices architecture
  • Work with Product Managers, Designers, and other Engineers to refine feature design and functionality
  • Optimize key pieces of Grindr's platform using tools like Redis, Postgres, and Kafka on AWS services
  • Innovate by guiding data-driven decisions to adopt new technologies, architectures, and workflow
  • Maintain high availability of the Grindr platform by leveraging distributed systems and infrastructure engineering, while playing a key role in optimizations, cost reduction, and incident management
  • Help guide and mentor team members through pairing sessions, code reviews, and architecture reviews

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

RedisPostgresKafkaAWSMicroservicesAPIsDistributed SystemsService APIsData ProcessingMessaging Services

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for this Staff Software Engineer role?

The salary range is $171K - $229K.

Is this a remote role, or do I need to come into the office?

This is a hybrid role based in our Palo Alto office or Chicago offices and will require you to be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What skills and experience are required for this backend engineer position?

Candidates need 7+ years of experience as a Software Engineer contributing to Backend Systems, experience designing large-scale systems in a microservice architecture, experience with Cloud Services like AWS, deep understanding of concurrency, and experience with the JVM and languages like Java, Kotlin, or Scala.

What is the team structure like for this role?

You'll join a backend team of 10+ engineers working on key features that support millions of active users daily.

What benefits does Grindr offer?

Benefits include family insurance premium coverage for health, dental, and vision for you and partial coverage for dependents, plus a generous 401K plan with 6% match and immediate vesting.

Grindr

Social networking app for LGBTQ individuals

About Grindr

Grindr connects gay, bi, trans, and queer individuals through a social networking app that uses location-based technology. Launched in 2009, it serves millions of users worldwide, providing a platform for social interaction, dating, and networking specifically for the LGBTQ community. Unlike other dating apps, Grindr focuses solely on this demographic, creating a safe and inclusive environment. The app generates revenue through advertisements, premium subscriptions like Grindr Unlimited, and in-app purchases, allowing users to enhance their experience. Beyond dating, Grindr engages with social issues and offers resources related to sexual health and safety, aiming to expand its influence within the community.

Los Angeles, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2009Year Founded
$90.5MTotal Funding
IPOCompany Stage
Consumer Software, Social ImpactIndustries
201-500Employees

Benefits

Family Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Phone/Internet Stipend
Wellness Program
Family Planning Benefits
Performance Bonus
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Risks

Union-busting allegations could harm Grindr's reputation and employee relations.
The AI 'wingman' bot may raise privacy concerns among users.
Involvement in Canberra's homophobic assault investigation could lead to negative publicity.

Differentiation

Grindr focuses exclusively on the LGBTQ community, offering a unique social networking platform.
The app leverages location-based technology to connect users globally, enhancing user engagement.
Grindr for Equality engages users in social issues, expanding its influence beyond dating.

Upsides

Grindr's AI 'wingman' bot aligns with the trend of AI-driven personalization in dating apps.
The partnership with Meridian enhances user safety, aligning with the trend of safety features.
Grindr's expansion into health services aligns with the trend of apps offering wellness features.

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