Staff Software Developer

BackerKit enables creators worldwide to focus on doing what they love: creating! For over a decade, our software has been the premier platform for crowdfunding post-project management. Two years ago we added a complimentary offering: our own crowdfunding platform. With enthusiastic uptake from the creator community, we’re now the first true one-stop shop for crowdfunding creators.

We’re a profitable, self-funded start-up of around 50 people with a diverse, close-knit team that prizes creativity, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.

We have a small-yet-effective distributed engineering team. We are looking for a Staff-level software developer (an individual contributor) to take us to the next level. Perhaps that is you! 

Our Tech Stack

BackerKit is a Ruby on Rails “majestic monolith” deployed on Heroku. The codebase has been around since 2012. Despite that, it is generally well-factored and well-tested - we’ve been tending this garden for a decade+! We are on the most recent versions of Ruby and Rails, and have adopted some new technology in our crowdfunding platform, such as Hotwire and Tailwind, to leverage additions from the Rails ecosystem. We’re all about finding the right tool for the job, while getting utility out of what we’re already using. 

For this role, we’re looking for: 

-- Deep knowledge of Ruby, Rails, and JavaScript

-- Recent hands-on coding

-- Experience working on multiple complex software projects over time. We do not have a strict "years of experience" requirement, but in general strong candidates for this role have 10+ years of experience in software development (perhaps not all in Ruby/Rails).

-- Ability to zoom out to big-picture thinking (i.e., architecture or business level), while remaining comfortable bushwhacking in the weeds

Our Process Stack

We prioritize fast iteration, shipping small experiments to make sure we’re constantly learning from our customers, and solving the problem in front of us.

To serve that, we are a pair-programming, test-driven-development, one-week-iteration type of shop. We have a mature continuous integration setup, and though we aren’t all in on continuous deployment, we do deploy multiple times a day.

We are small-a agile, which means no component of our process is sacrosanct. Weekly retrospectives (among other things) help make sure that our processes evolve as we do. As one of our most senior folks, we hope you’ll contribute thoughtfully to those discussions and experiments, bringing your unique experience to bear.

For this role, we’re looking for the following experience:

-- Building a web product in an iterative, agile environment

-- Frequent pair programming - and excited to use it daily to learn and teach

-- Enthusiasm for test-driving and automated testing in general - can have thoughtful discussions about when and how much to test code

Our Work Style

None of the developers at BackerKit are expected to “stay in their lane,” particularly at the Staff level. Our team of product managers, designers, and developers are jointly responsible for creating and improving the product.  

Devs at all levels are often working directly with internal and external stakeholders, so experience working with people outside the development team is a must. Strong communication and consensus-building skills - with all types of folks - are also essential.

Before the pandemic, we were an in-person-only team located in San Francisco. We are now a remote-first distributed team, all currently working 9-5 Pacific time.  

For this role, we’re looking for:

-- Awesome communication powers, including with non-technical people

-- Located in the United States

-- Ideally, can work 9am-5pm Pacific time. For the right candidate, we could consider a 1-2 hour offset.

Some of the things a Staff Software Developer will do here:

• Align with the Head of Engineering on priorities and initiatives
• Cultivate and sustain team working culture and philosophies
• Make important technical decisions that have sweeping consequences for our customers and the business
• Serve as the go-to person for tough technical issues
• Develop both a macro- and micro-level understanding of the codebase 
• Rotate through pair programming with all the members of the development team, to help level everyone up
• Mentor and champion less-experienced developers
• Communicate, communicate, communicate! This is not a role with lots of heads-down solo work
• Understand our users. Everyone at BackerKit is customer-facing, and we expect everyone to get to know the project creators and backers that we are serving (plus, they are awesome, just like you!)
• Take actual breaks and vacations - no off-hours or weekend work except when the app experiences unforeseen issues (which does not happen often)

Benefits:

• Remote-first position on a distributed team
• Competitive salary and stock option plan
• Stipends for supporting creators of your choosing
• Medical, dental, vision, and 401k benefits (with employer match!)
• Family-friendly and focused on maintaining a healthy work/life balance
• Awesome work environment at a company with a huge vision
• Annual Learning and Development stipend to support your professional growth

Research shows that while men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other underrepresented groups tend to only apply when they check every box. So, if you think you have what it takes but don't necessarily meet every single point listed, please apply - you could be exactly who we are looking for!

Please click here to learn more about our interviewing process.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We here at BackerKit will always respect pronouns and identities when addressing candidates who feel comfortable sharing theirs.

BackerKit is committed to a culture of inclusion and belonging. We believe that crowdfunding is for everyone, and strive to build a company that reflects the diverse backgrounds of the creators we currently serve and hope to serve in the future.