Staff Software Engineer - Backend / Fullstack

We are looking for a Staff Engineer - Backend OR Full stack to lead the technical strategy and execution of the client-side architecture that powers these components. In this role, you will be the expert on how Rippling constructs its user interfaces across both Backend and Web. While your primary focus will be on the backend, this is a truly full-stack role. You will not only design highly scalable backend distributed systems, but you will also dive into the frontend (React. Js) to architect the APIs and data models required to support them. You will ensure that our Backend is powered by a robust, scalable UI foundation.

Responsibilities

• Architect Client-Side Systems: Drive the architectural vision for the App Components frontend. You will design scalable, robust, distributed architecture systems.
• Set the Standard for Backend Excellence: Deeply understand distributed systems, high scalable products.
• Operate Across the Stack: While your depth is in the frontend, you will actively contribute to the backend codebase. You will write production-grade Python and Django code to build the APIs, schema definitions, and business logic needed to unblock your frontend work.
• Platform Design: Design the "API surface" of our components. Since other engineering teams build on top of your work, you will focus heavily on Developer Experience (DX), creating intuitive interfaces that allow other teams to move faster.
• Navigate Ambiguity: Take ownership of major product initiatives from vague requirements to concrete technical designs. You will figure out how to build complex "App Studio" visual builders that don't exist yet.
• Elevate Engineering Standards: Mentor senior and mid-level engineers on advanced frontend patterns, accessibility standards, and performance optimization. You will act as a subject matter expert for Python/Golang across the wider organization.

Requirements

• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a primary focus on building complex backend system at scale.
• Deep Backend Expertise: Mastery of Distributed systems. You have a deep understanding of the backend systems.
• Solid Backend Proficiency: You are comfortable designing and writing production code in Python, Django, and Golang. You understand database modeling (MongoDB) and can architect APIs that efficiently serve your UI requirements.
• Product and Design fluency: You care deeply about the product experience. You can partner with designers to deconstruct complex workflows and translate them into elegant technical solutions.
• Platform Mindset: Experience building design systems, component libraries, or developer tools. You understand how to build generic, reusable software that scales from "0 to 1" to "1 to 100".
• Leadership: A track record of influencing technical direction across teams and mentoring engineers to improve their craftsmanship in both frontend architecture and full-stack delivery.