Who we are
At Picnic, we’re reinventing the way employees experience lunch at work. By partnering with top local restaurants and batching hundreds of orders, we make it easy for companies to offer high-quality, individually packed meals, without fees or tips. Our mission is to create a seamless, affordable, and joyful lunch experience that benefits both employees and employers.
About the role
We’re looking for a Backend Engineer to help architect and scale Picnic’s real-time logistics and operations platforms. This is a high-impact role for someone who enjoys ambiguity, thrives in complex systems, and wants to shape the technical direction of backend systems that power real-world operations. You’ll work across backend services that support web and mobile surfaces, partner closely with frontend, mobile, product, and operations teams, and help define how we design, build, and scale backend systems at Picnic.
What you’ll do
- Write high-quality, well-tested code in languages like Java and Go, and set a strong bar for engineering excellence
- Lead and influence large backend initiatives across domains such as vehicle routing optimization, automation, scalability, and reliability
- Own backend architecture and drive solutions to ambiguous, high-impact problems
- Drive the development and scaling of core data stores and API layers as the business grows
- Establish and promote best practices for building, testing, monitoring, and operating large-scale systems
- Translate technical vision into quarterly roadmaps in collaboration with product and engineering leadership
- Mentor and uplevel engineers through technical leadership, reviews, and hands-on collaboration
What we’re looking for
- 3+ years of experience in software engineering
- Strong experience architecting and delivering systems in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-team initiatives and drive architectural alignment
- Deep understanding of backend system design, APIs, data stores, and distributed systems
- Experience collaborating closely with frontend, mobile, product, data, and business partners
- A hands-on engineer who sets a high bar for code quality, reliability, and operational excellence
- Passion for product impact and building systems that directly support customers and operators
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience building or operating logistics, delivery, or real-time systems at scale
- Background in fast-growing, high-execution technology companies
- Familiarity with frontend and mobile tradeoffs and how backend decisions affect client performance
- Track record of improving developer productivity through tooling, patterns, or process improvements
Why join us
- Drive real impact: Be part of building the operational engine behind a fast-growing startup that’s redefining how work gets done.
- Own your city: Take full ownership of your city’s performance and see the direct results of your ideas and execution every single day.
- Work with purpose: Join a mission-driven team focused on making the workplace experience better for thousands of people.
- Grow with us: At Picnic, there’s room to grow—personally and professionally—as we scale and take on new challenges together.
What else you need to know
This role is based in our New York office location. As a company driven by innovation and continuous change, close collaboration is essential. We’re constantly reimagining our industry, creating new products, and refining our processes, and we do our best work together. That’s why all of our office-based teams work onsite, five days a week.
The base salary range for this role is $176,000 - $242,000 per year.
Actual compensation will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for equity awards and an annual performance-based bonus.
Benefits Summary (USA Full-Time Exempt Employees):
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans, incl. HSA options).
- Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term).
- Voluntary insurance: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity.
- Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children.
- Pet insurance discount.
- 401(k).
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
- Time Off policies:
- Discretionary vacation days
- 8 paid holidays per year
- Paid sick time
- Paid Bereavement leave
- Paid Parental Leave
Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis.
Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?
#LI-Onsite
Skills Required
- 3+ years of experience in software engineering
- Experience architecting and delivering systems in ambiguous, fast-moving environments
- Ability to lead complex, cross-team initiatives and drive architectural alignment
- Deep understanding of backend system design, APIs, data stores, and distributed systems
- Experience collaborating with frontend, mobile, product, data, and business partners
- Hands-on engineering experience with code quality, reliability, and operational excellence
- Experience building or operating logistics, delivery, or real-time systems at scale
- Background in fast-growing, high-execution technology companies
- Familiarity with frontend and mobile tradeoffs and client performance impacts
- Track record of improving developer productivity through tooling, patterns, or process improvements
What We Do
Picnic is a food delivery platform designed specifically for office meals, offering a seamless way for employees to order individually from over 50 restaurants without delivery fees or tips, enhancing workplace dining.
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