Staff Software Engineer, Backend

Posted 9 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
4 Locations
In-Office
150K-250K Annually
Senior level
Artificial Intelligence • HR Tech • Information Technology • Machine Learning • Software • App development • Industrial
WorkWhile is redefining the future of work
The Role
The Staff Software Engineer, Backend role involves owning backend systems architecture, mentoring engineers, enhancing system reliability, and guiding teams through ambiguity while maintaining high technical standards.
Summary Generated by Built In

About WorkWhile
WorkWhile is on a mission to help workers earn a better living and live better lives. More than 80 million Americans work hourly jobs, often with unpredictable schedules that pay close to minimum wage and offer limited benefits, leading to financial instability.

WorkWhile is revolutionizing frontline work by creating a more flexible and efficient labor market. Powered by AI, the WorkWhile platform helps businesses quickly access high-quality talent. Workers benefit from same-day pay, free telehealth services, upskilling, and the ability to choose shifts that match their skills and schedules.

We have the audacious goal to align incentives and solve inefficiencies in the labor market, disrupting the $650 billion staffing and recruiting market. Backed by Khosla Ventures and recognized by the Inc. 5000 for 10x growth, WorkWhile is reshaping the future of work.

What you'll do

  • Own and evolve complex backend systems that power core product flows, from architecture and data modelling to reliability and long-term scalability

  • Partner closely with engineering leadership, product, and design to shape technical direction and translate ambiguous problems into durable solutions

  • Lead high-impact initiatives that span multiple services or teams, setting clear technical direction and unblocking others

  • Raise the bar on system design, correctness, and operational excellence across the backend codebase

  • Act as a force multiplier for the team: reviewing designs, mentoring engineers, and helping others make strong technical decisions

  • Contribute to our engineering culture by modelling thoughtful tradeoffs, clear communication, and ownership at scale

What we're looking for

  • Significant experience designing and building backend systems in Python (or similar), including APIs, data models, and distributed services

  • A strong track record of owning technical systems or product areas end-to-end, especially in growing or evolving codebases

  • Comfort working in ambiguity: able to define problems, propose options, and guide teams toward pragmatic solutions

  • Deep care for system correctness, reliability, and long-term maintainability, balanced with real product needs

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence technical direction across the team

  • Experience mentoring engineers and elevating team-wide technical quality (formal management experience not required)

Nice to have

  • Experience working in marketplace, fintech, or data-sensitive systems

  • Exposure to scaling systems, migrations, or meaningful architectural change

  • Interest in helping shape engineering standards and best practices as the team grows

Engineering @ WorkWhile

  • We’re a small and mighty team with senior engineers from Rippling, Stripe, DoorDash, Faire among others

  • We value user-centricity, competence, speed, and having fun

  • We embrace independence and take ownership of our projects, yet are also great team players

  • We deal in outcomes, not projects

  • Read more about our team at https://tech.workwhile.ai/

Benefits & Perks

  • Hybrid work culture with office hubs in SF, NY, Seattle & Toronto

  • In-person company offsites

  • Medical, dental, & vision coverage

  • Flexible time off

  • 401(k) with employer match

  • WFH stipend to support your home office needs

WorkWhile has a diverse, mission-driven, and supportive culture—we look for people who want to take ownership, are energized by ambiguity, and strive to make a lasting impact. If this resonates with you, we’d love to chat!

WorkWhile is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Top Skills

Python
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The Company
HQ: San Francisco, CA
90 Employees
Year Founded: 2019

What We Do

WorkWhile is an AI-powered next generation labor platform that helps businesses in light industrial, hospitality, and events achieve over 90% fill rates and reduce no-shows through AI and predictive machine learning. We ensure seamless shift execution with trained, on-demand workers supported by on-site leads, real-time performance monitoring, and a robust accountability system. Our worker-first model boosts retention through benefits like next-day pay, telehealth, and free upskilling, while our platform delivers real-time analytics and dedicated support for every client. By combining flexibility, reliability, and deep insights, WorkWhile helps businesses scale efficiently and stay competitive.

Why Work With Us

WorkWhile is a technology platform with product and engineering at its core. Founded by alumni from Google, Meta, Yahoo, and Airbnb, continuous innovation is our strategy. We are an AI-native company that doesn’t just adopt new technologies, we operationalize them at scale to solve real business challenges.

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WorkWhile Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

Typical time on-site: Not Specified
HQSan Francisco, CA
New York, NY
Seattle, WA
Toronto, ON
Learn more

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