Senior Software Engineer

Company Snapshot

Founded in 1999, Linden Lab develops platforms that empower people to create, share, and thrive within virtual experiences. 

In 2003, Linden Lab first launched Second Life, the groundbreaking virtual world enjoyed by millions around the globe, which has since gone on to boast nearly two billion user creations and a vibrant $500 million (USD) economy. 

Lindens value a workplace that’s as diverse as our products. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to building a company that is rooted in organizational health, strengths-based leadership, and the belief that teams are stronger than individuals.

If you want access to the forefront of virtual words and payment platforms that support the creator economy, this is the place for you. We’ve created space for everyone to find belonging and invite you to come as you are.

Role Overview

This is a hybrid role, assigned to our San Francisco worksite, and candidates must be available to work on-site a few days per week and be flexible for ad hoc in-office meetings as needed.

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer (Server) to join Second Life's Server team and help develop mobile backend applications and the persistent real time simulation software behind one of the world's most long-lived and rich virtual worlds.

This is an independent contributor role, reporting to the Director, Engineering of Second Life. In this role, you will create new features and improve core functionality of the platform, taking projects through their full lifecycle, from idea to release and help maintain them afterwards. This role will be hybrid in our San Francisco office three days a week.

What We’ll Offer You

The stability of an established company with new startup momentum. An unparalleled opportunity to create  relationships, systems, strategy and culture. An environment where your voice will be heard and your impact deeply felt. A sense of belonging where your work is appreciated and rewarded. 

Second Life's huge, persistently simulated virtual topography runs 24/7. You will have opportunities to work on unique engineering problems that cannot be found anywhere else and that meaningfully impact the lives of millions of residents. You will also be given the time and support needed to grow your skills and knowledge.

What We’ll Create Together

• Performant, modern backend services
• Exciting new features for Second Life Mobile and Desktop
• Improvements to existing systems' stability, testability and code quality
• Collaborate with multiple teams, including product and QA, to ship ambitious new functionality

What You’ll Bring to the Team

At Linden, we celebrate all the dimensions of diversity, including diversity of experience. We recognize that candidates applying for this role will be most successful if they bring the following with them:

• 5+ years of experience as a Software Engineer with client/server architecture and networking 
• Experience with Python and compiled languages like C/C++
• Experience developing for and deploying software to cloud-hosting platforms such as AWS
• Aptitude for thinking creatively and solving complex and often wholly novel technical problems
• Willingness to participate in an on-call rotation and respond to production incidents
• Knowledge of code instrumentation and using metrics, monitoring and telemetry
• Experience with large, complex codebases with challenging workflow requirements
• Consistent and demonstrated interest in, collaboration, pushing boundaries and being team player
• You use AI tools such as Copilot and ChatGPT daily to accelerate your work
• Curiosity for experimenting with and implementing novel AI capabilities

If you feel like you don’t meet all of the requirements for this role, we encourage you to apply anyway. The confidence gap and imposter syndrome can sometimes get in the way of meeting incredible candidates and we don’t want it to get in the way of meeting you. We encourage you to reach out if you have belief in our mission and your own ability to contribute to our team!

The Fine Print

Pay Transparency Notice

Linden’s Total Rewards philosophy ensures a fair, equitable, and unbiased approach to compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate. 

In this San Francisco Bay Area-based role, the salary range for this position is $143,000 - $193,000, with a midpoint of $168,000.

We enter new hires between the minimum and the midpoint of the applicable geo-defined range. Our talent partners will discuss this in more detail during the hiring process. Actual base pay within this range is dependent on many factors, including experience, competencies, skills, internal equity, and calibration of market data. In addition to base pay, this position is eligible to receive awards under the equity incentive plan (EIP) + generous benefits program, including comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and 401(k). 

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform focused work using the computer without distraction and collaborate with coworkers in both remote and in-office environments. 
• Communicate clearly and effectively using hands and fingers for typing.
• Sustain the ability to sit, stand, or remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time (up to eight hours at a time) during calls, meetings, or collaboration sessions, with adjustable workstations and ergonomic support tools provided.
• Maintain prolonged focus on a computer monitor for extended periods of time, often for up to 8 hours or more during a standard workday, while performing tasks that require visual concentration and attention to detail.
• Operate office equipment and handle physical materials during presentations or strategy discussions.
• Move freely around the office to attend meetings, collaborate, participate in team activities, and contribute to shared office upkeep.

Commitment to Equal Opportunity

The Company celebrates diversity of thought, race, national origin and culture, age, experience, religion, economic and social status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability status. Building a culture of inclusion  and belonging allows us to create and share experiences with each other, and with our virtual communities. We always seek to maintain a diverse and welcoming workplace, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Global Data Privacy Notice

Depending on your location, the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) may regulate the way we manage the data of job applicants. Our full notice outlining how data will be processed as part of the application procedure for applicable locations is available here. By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data as required.