Staff Software Engineer, Backend Platform

Robinhood
New York, NY
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for experienced backend engineers who lead large-scale platform initiatives and influence engineering practices, with a focus on Go and Python and a commitment to in-person collaboration in New York, NY.

Best fit for

  • Experienced backend engineers with leadership experience in platform design and tooling standardization
    — “As a Staff Software Developer, you will set technical direction and lead large, multi-team initiatives”
  • Candidates with a background in building internal tooling and frameworks for scalable systems
    — “You have experience designing internal platforms, developer tooling (Bazel, etc), or shared infrastructure used by multiple teams”
  • Individuals who thrive in a high-impact, collaborative environment focused on system reliability and innovation
    — “Robinhood isn’t a place for complacency, it’s where ambitious people do the best work of their careers”

Things to consider

  • In-person attendance required at least 3 days per week in New York, NY
    — “This role is based in our New York City, New York office(s), with in-person attendance expected at least 3 days per week”
  • Compensation is performance-driven and includes equity, which may affect expectations for impact and contribution
    — “Performance driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact, bonus programs, and equity ownership”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience leading multi-team technical projects and platform design contributions
    — “You will lead large, multi-team initiatives that improve how backend systems are developed and operated”
  • Emphasize your history of improving developer workflows and system maintainability
    — “You are committed to improving developer workflows, system quality, and maintainability through thoughtful design”
  • Showcase your expertise in Go and Python with concrete examples of backend system scaling
    — “You have extensive experience building and scaling backend systems using Go and Python”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful platform improvements
  • enhanced system reliability
Typical background
experience in backend developmentbackground in software engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Backend DevelopmentGoPythonDjangoGrpc

Preferred

BazelStatic AnalysisService Frameworks

Stack & domain

Backend DevelopmentGoPythonDjangoGrpcBazelCommunicationLeadershipFinanceTechnology

About the role

Original posting from Robinhood via Greenhouse

Join us in building the future of finance.

Our mission is to democratize finance for all. An estimated $124 trillion of assets will be inherited by younger generations in the next two decades. The largest transfer of wealth in human history. If you’re ready to be at the epicenter of this historic cultural and financial shift, keep reading.

About the team + role

We are building an elite team, applying frontier technologies to the world’s biggest financial problems. We’re looking for bold thinkers. Sharp problem-solvers. Builders who are wired to make an impact. Robinhood isn’t a place for complacency, it’s where ambitious people do the best work of their careers. We’re a high-performing, fast-moving team with ethics at the center of everything we do. Expectations are high, and so are the rewards.

The Backend Platform team’s mission is to enable fast, safe, and reliable backend development at scale. The team builds and maintains shared frameworks, libraries, and tooling that support hundreds of engineers working across backend services. By improving development workflows, strengthening security practices, and standardizing how services are built and maintained, this team plays a critical role in how quickly and safely products reach customers. You will help shape the foundation that backend engineers rely on every day!

As a Staff Software Developer, you will set technical direction and lead large, multi-team initiatives that improve how backend systems are developed and operated. You will design and guide adoption of platform capabilities such as service frameworks, static analysis systems, and developer tooling. This role focuses on solving complex system-level challenges, influencing engineering practices across teams, and ensuring long-term scalability and reliability of backend development. You will also support engineers through technical guidance and contribute to planning and execution of major platform investments!

This role is based in our New York City, New York office(s), with in-person attendance expected at least 3 days per week.

At Robinhood, we believe in the power of in-person work to accelerate progress, spark innovation, and strengthen community. Our office experience is intentional, energizing, and designed to fully support high-performing teams.

What you’ll do

You define and lead large-scale initiatives that improve backend development systems, including frameworks, tooling, and shared libraries

You design long-term technical solutions that support scalability, reliability, and maintainability across backend services

You guide the evolution of core tooling such as static analysis, formatting systems, and service scaffolding used across the codebase

You partner with engineering teams such as infrastructure, security, and product engineering to plan and execute platform improvements

You mentor engineers and provide technical guidance that improves code quality, system design, and development practices

What you bring

You have extensive experience building and scaling backend systems using Go and Python

You have deep knowledge of backend frameworks such as Django, gRPC or comparable systems in Go

You have experience designing internal platforms, developer tooling (Bazel, etc), or shared infrastructure used by multiple teams

You have demonstrated ability to lead complex technical projects and influence engineering direction across teams

You are committed to improving developer workflows, system quality, and maintainability through thoughtful design

What we offer

Challenging, high-impact work to grow your career

Performance driven compensation with multipliers for outsized impact, bonus programs, and equity ownership

Top tier benefits to fuel your work, including supplemental health insurance, ancillary insurance, and mental health support programs

Lifestyle wallet - a highly flexible employer-paid benefits spending account expenses beyond traditional benefits such as wellness, childcare, learning, and more.

Time off to recharge including company holidays, paid time off, sick time, paid volunteer time off, parental leave, and more!

Exceptional office experience with catered meals, events, and comfortable workspaces.

Monthly commuter stipend to help offset in-office commuting costs

Our team is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming interview experience for all candidates. If you require a specific accommodation during the application or interview process due to a physical or mental condition, please complete this Applicant Accommodation Form to notify our team. The form should only be completed if you need a specific accommodation.

In addition to the base pay range listed below, this role is also eligible for bonus opportunities + equity + benefits.

Base pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected base pay range for this role is based on the location where the work will be performed and is aligned to one of 3 compensation zones. For other locations not listed, compensation can be discussed with your recruiter during the interview process.

Base Pay Range:

Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC)$230,000—$270,000 USDZone 2 (Denver, CO; Westlake, TX; Chicago, IL)$203,000—$238,000 USDZone 3 (Lake Mary, FL; Clearwater, FL; Gainesville, FL)$180,000—$211,000 USDIn addition to the base pay range listed below, this role is also eligible for bonus opportunities + equity + benefits.

Base pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of job-related factors, which may include education, training, experience, location, business needs, or market demands. The expected base pay range for this role is based on the location where the work will be performed. For other locations not listed, compensation can be discussed with your recruiter during the interview process.

Base Pay Range:

Zone 1 (Menlo Park, CA; New York, NY; Bellevue, WA; Washington, DC)$230,000—$270,000 USDClick here to learn more about our Total Rewards, which vary by region and entity.

If our mission energizes you and you’re ready to build the future of finance, we look forward to seeing your application.

AI Usage Disclosure: Robinhood uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of our recruiting process. These tools enhance the efficiency and consistency of our hiring process; however, all hiring decisions are made by our hiring teams.

Robinhood provides equal opportunity for all applicants, offers reasonable accommodations upon request, and complies with applicable equal employment and privacy laws. Inclusion is built into how we hire and work—welcoming different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so everyone can do their best. Please review the Privacy Policy for your country of application.

Source: Robinhood careers (Greenhouse)

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