Systems Engineer at Substack

San Francisco, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Technology, MediaIndustries

Requirements

5+ years of software engineering experience
Can contribute across the full web stack, with a focus on building resilient, scalable backend systems
Independent and autonomous
Hold yourself and others to a high standard when working on production systems
Take pride in building elegant and delightful product experiences
Enjoy collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders while bringing your own unique experience and background to the team
Believe in Substack’s mission to build a better business model for writing
Location: San Francisco or New York City

Responsibilities

Build out Substack’s platforms to scale with growing traffic and a multitude of services to support writer and reader communities
Contribute to the whole product process in collaboration with designers, writers, support staff, and others. From product concept and research to implementation and deployment, own your work and deliver high-quality solutions

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Node.jsExpressPostgresRedisAWSBackend SystemsScalable Infrastructure

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Systems Engineer position?

The cash compensation salary range is $185,000 - $225,000, with final offers determined by factors like experience and expertise.

Is this a remote position, or does it require office work?

The position is hybrid and located in San Francisco or New York City.

What skills and experience are required for this role?

Candidates need 5+ years of software engineering experience, ability to contribute across the full web stack with a focus on resilient, scalable backend systems, and familiarity with Node/Express, Postgres, Redis, and AWS is helpful.

What is the company culture like at Substack?

Substack emphasizes independence, autonomy, high standards for production systems, collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and ownership of work without micromanagement, in a small team environment.

What makes a strong candidate for this Systems Engineer role?

Strong candidates have 5+ years of experience, can work autonomously across the full stack focusing on scalable backends, hold high standards, enjoy collaboration, and believe in Substack’s mission.

Substack

Digital publishing platform for subscription-based content

About Substack

Substack is a digital publishing platform that connects writers and readers. It allows creators, such as authors, journalists, and chefs, to share their work through newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and videos. Creators can set their own subscription fees, ranging from $5 to $27 per month, enabling them to earn money directly from their content without relying on traditional publishing or advertising. Substack handles administrative tasks, billing, and technical support, allowing creators to focus on their writing. The platform also helps creators grow their audience, as a significant portion of new subscriptions comes from within the Substack network. Substack earns revenue by taking a percentage of the subscription fees, aligning its success with that of its creators. The goal of Substack is to empower creators to monetize their work while providing the necessary tools for managing and expanding their subscriber base.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2017Year Founded

$97.5MTotal Funding

ANGELCompany Stage

Consumer Software, EntertainmentIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Risks

Enterprise offering may lead to competition with established solutions, straining resources.

Elon Musk's acquisition interest could cause market speculation and investor instability.

Integration with Polymarket may expose Substack to reputational risks and regulatory scrutiny.

Differentiation

Substack empowers creators with a subscription-based model, bypassing traditional revenue streams.

The platform offers built-in marketing, aiding creators in growing their subscriber base.

Substack's tools support diverse content, including newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and videos.

Upsides

Spotify integration broadens podcasters' reach, potentially boosting subscribers and revenue.

Mobile editor launch enhances accessibility, increasing content output and engagement.

Enterprise offering partnership with The Free Press opens new revenue streams for Substack.

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