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Senior Software Engineer, Compiler

Hi, we're The Browser Company 👋 and we're building a better way to use the internet.

Browsers are unique in that they are one of the only pieces of software that you share with your parents as well as your kids. Which makes sense, they're our doorway to the most important things — through them we socialize with loved ones, work on our passion projects, and explore our curiosities. But on their own, they don’t actually do a whole lot, they’re kind of just there. They don’t help us organize our messy lives or make it easier to compose our ideas. We believe that the browser could do so much more — it can empower and support the amazing things we do on the internet. That’s why we’re building one: a browser that can help us grow, create, and stay curious.

To accomplish this lofty task, we’re building a diverse team of people from different backgrounds and experiences. This isn’t optional, it’s crucial to our mission, as we need a wide range of perspectives to challenge our assumptions and shape our browser through a bold, creative lens. With that in mind, we especially encourage women, people of color, and others from historically marginalized groups to apply.

About The Role

At The Browser Company, we've taken a unique approach to building our Swift/Chromium web browsers for multiple platforms. While most major browsers are written in C++, we decided to avoid challenges around slow iteration speed and memory safety by building Arc and Dia using Swift. A small team of language compiler and systems engineers, led by Saleem Abdulrasool, have implemented the protocol that allows us to run our Swift code across MacOS, Windows, iOS and Android. You can read more about our open source work on our company Github and our Speaking in Swift blog.

As a Compiler Engineer at The Browser Company, you will focus on advancing Windows support for Swift and developing new features that benefit both our internal projects and the broader Swift community. Your work will directly contribute to our efforts to redefine how browsers and cross-platform applications are built, leveraging Swift as a core part of our technology stack. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with open-source communities while solving complex technical challenges that have a tangible impact on the future of software development.

Overall you will...

  • Enhance Compiler Performance: Investigate and address performance bottlenecks, focusing on areas like memory allocation, PGO/LTO/BOLT, and hot function optimizations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve build times and developer productivity.

  • Platform Support: Maintain and expand support for multiple operating systems, including Windows and Android. This includes enabling CI testing, debugging tools, and profiling capabilities to ensure robust toolchain performance. Maintain and improve support for multiple architectures including X86_64 and ARM64 across different Operating Systems. Be involved in emerging architecture support as well (e.g. RISCV).

  • Toolchain Development: Build and maintain custom toolchains on macOS and Windows, ensuring seamless integration with tools like Xcode and VSCode. Develop deployment solutions for alternative toolchains to enhance developer workflows. Work to support new platforms for cross-compilation and improve existing ones across the compilation pipeline.

  • Cross-Language Interoperability: Drive innovations in Swift and C/C++, Java/Kotlin interoperability, enabling seamless integration for Windows and Android application development. Improve Swift’s interoperability with C and C++ codebases to improve developer experiences with multi-lingual codebases.

  • Collaborate with Open Source Communities: Contribute to upstream LLVM, Swift, and related projects, ensuring alignment with industry standards and fostering innovation.

After 1 month you will...

  • Onboard onto our team and codebase with your onboarding buddy

  • Attend a number of onboarding presentations on the company, product, codebase, and culture

  • Get familiar with Swift, our Windows toolchain and tooling, and our Windows roadmap

  • Ship a few bug fixes and small improvements across our codebase and tooling

  • Pair programmed with a few people on the engineering team

  • Be regularly posting product feedback about the browser in our #dogfooding channel

After 3 months you will...

  • Be familiar with our Windows architecture, and be thinking of ways to make product engineers' lives easier when prototyping and building new features.

  • Be familiar with our Windows toolchain, our Swift bindings, and how the Swift compiler works on Windows

  • Shipped several tickets to improve Swift language features and Swift developer tooling

  • Be involved in weekly engineering discussions about our architecture, how we do code review, code style, and more.

  • Be involved in infrastructure discussions like how we add better observability to debug issues in production, how we better monitor performance regressions, and how we make our updater less finicky.

After 6 months you will...

  • Be interview trained and interviewing candidates for roles at The Browser Company.

  • Be driving projects from conception to production launch.

  • Be mentoring and pair programming with newer engineers to help them get spun up on the codebase.

Qualifications

  • Compiler experience. You have 4+ years of experience working with language compilers and complex codebases, such as LLVM. Ideally, you’ve worked with Swift and/or C++.

  • Operating system experience. Some familiarity with one of our operating systems (Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS) is preferred, but not required.

  • A passion for build systems and tooling. You understand how to improve systems to make them easier to understand, debug, and maintain. You're excited about elegant, maintainable, and easy to use build tooling and configuration.

  • Pragmatism and problem-solving. You’re pragmatic, motivated by nebulous problems, and excited to work in a startup environment with quick product validation cycles.

  • You’re time zone overlaps with our team. We’re primarily focused on hiring in North American time zones and require that folks have at least 4+ hours of overlap time with team members in Eastern Time Zone.

Compensation and Benefits

💰 With our flexible compensation model, employees have the ability to choose the cash-to-equity ratio that best suits their individual needs. Every offer we extend includes three options: a salary-optimized offer, an equity-optimized offer, and a balanced offer.

The annual salary range for this role is $200,000-250,000 USD. The actual salary range offered will vary based on experience level and interview performance.

🧘🏻‍♀️ In addition to a competitive salary and equity package, we provide every employee with the following benefits:

  • comprehensive benefits package with employee medical, dental, and vision - we cover 100% of premiums for employees, and up to 95% for dependents

  • 401k plan

  • flexible vacation policy - on average, our team members take between 15-20 vacation days a year, plus federal holidays (holidays vary by location)

  • remote-friendly working environment - our core working hours are 11 AM-2 PM Eastern Time

  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave

  • $1,500 USD home office stipend

  • Employees based in the US also receive additional services like free annual memberships to One Medical (where available), Talkspace, Teladoc, and HealthAdvocate

The Browser Company is a well-funded, ambitious startup of close to 100 people (and growing!) who are passionate about building great products. We are a remote-first, distributed team, with the option to work from office in Brooklyn, New York. We strongly support diversity and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. 

🚙 To read more about what we value as a company, check out Notes on Roadtrips on our blog.

Average salary estimate

$225000 / YEARLY (est.)
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$200000K
$250000K

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What You Should Know About Senior Software Engineer, Compiler, The Browser Company

At The Browser Company, we're on an exciting journey to revolutionize how we use the internet, and we're looking for a Senior Software Engineer, Compiler to join our growing team! With a diverse crew of innovators, we aim to craft a browser that truly empowers users. As a Senior Software Engineer focused on compilers, you'll collaborate with a talented group of engineers to enhance our Swift/Chromium browsers across multiple platforms. Your work will involve tackling intriguing challenges in compiler performance, cross-language interoperability, and building powerful toolchains that simplify the lives of developers. With your expertise in compilers, particularly LLVM, you'll enhance Windows support for Swift and contribute directly to an open-source atmosphere that thrives on collaboration. Your insights will help shape the future of cross-platform applications, making software development more robust and efficient. We embrace diverse backgrounds and perspectives because we believe they drive creativity and innovation. At The Browser Company, you’ll have the chance to impact the way millions experience the internet and catalyze new ideas. If you're excited about pushing boundaries and solving complex technical problems in a startup environment, this could be the perfect opportunity for you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Senior Software Engineer, Compiler Role at The Browser Company
What are the responsibilities of a Senior Software Engineer, Compiler at The Browser Company?

As a Senior Software Engineer, Compiler at The Browser Company, you'll be responsible for enhancing compiler performance, maintaining platform support, and developing custom toolchains. This role involves improving Swift's interoperability with C/C++ and collaborating with open-source communities to drive innovation in our software projects. You will also work on addressing performance bottlenecks, ensuring robust toolchain performance across different operating systems, including Windows and Android.

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What qualifications are required for the Senior Software Engineer, Compiler position at The Browser Company?

Candidates applying for the Senior Software Engineer, Compiler role at The Browser Company should have at least 4 years of experience working with language compilers and complex codebases, preferably LLVM. Familiarity with Swift or C++ is highly beneficial, and experience with operating systems like Windows, MacOS, Android, or iOS is preferred. Additionally, a passion for build systems, tooling, and problem-solving in a fast-paced startup environment is essential.

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How does the role of a Senior Software Engineer, Compiler contribute to The Browser Company's mission?

In the Senior Software Engineer, Compiler position at The Browser Company, your work will be pivotal in transforming how browsers support user interaction. By focusing on advancing Windows support for Swift and enhancing compiler performance, you directly influence our mission of building a more empowering and creative internet experience for users. Your innovations will help us create robust, cross-platform applications that benefit not only our team but also the broader developer community.

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What technology stack does a Senior Software Engineer, Compiler at The Browser Company work with?

As a Senior Software Engineer, Compiler at The Browser Company, you'll primarily work with Swift and C++, alongside other technologies such as LLVM for compiler development. You'll also engage with various operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, and Android. Your role will demand building custom toolchains and enhancing cross-language interoperability, ensuring seamless integration within our innovative browser framework.

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What opportunities for growth exist for a Senior Software Engineer, Compiler at The Browser Company?

The Senior Software Engineer, Compiler position at The Browser Company offers ample opportunities for professional growth. You will be involved in mentoring newer engineers, participating in architecture discussions, and driving projects from conception to launch. Over time, you'll also gain experience contributing to open-source communities, enhancing collaboration skills, and developing your technical expertise within a dynamic startup environment.

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Common Interview Questions for Senior Software Engineer, Compiler
Can you explain your experience with compilers and how it relates to the role of Senior Software Engineer, Compiler?

In answering this question, highlight your previous roles involving compiler design, optimization, and improvements. Detail specific projects or challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Connect your experience with LLVM or other relevant technologies to the responsibilities mentioned in the job description.

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What strategies would you use to enhance compiler performance?

Discuss how you would investigate performance bottlenecks, such as memory allocation or hot function optimizations. Mention specific techniques or tools you've utilized previously to improve compiler efficiency and effectiveness.

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How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams as a Senior Software Engineer, Compiler?

Emphasize the importance of communication and teamwork in your approach. Share examples of past collaborations on projects where you worked with other engineers and stakeholders, illustrating how you ensured alignment and achieved project goals.

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How familiar are you with Swift, and what is your approach to improving language interoperability?

Describe your level of familiarity with Swift and your previous experiences in working with it. Discuss tools or approaches you've employed to enhance interoperability between languages, and provide examples of your work that demonstrate your skills.

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What are your thoughts on the future of web browsers and the role of compilers within that future?

Share your insights on emerging trends in web development, specifically how compilers play a vital role in improving performance and enhancing user experience. Discuss potential advancements or innovations that you foresee and how you would like to contribute to these changes at The Browser Company.

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Describe a challenging technical problem you solved in your previous roles.

Pick a specific technical challenge that is relevant to the role of Senior Software Engineer, Compiler. Detail the problem, your thought process, the steps you took to solve it, and the outcome. Make sure to highlight any collaborative aspects and learning experiences.

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How do you stay current with new developments in compiler technology?

Discuss various sources of information, such as research papers, blogs, webinars, and participation in relevant communities. Mention any conferences or workshops you've attended recently that enriched your knowledge and skills in compiler technology.

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What is your experience with toolchain development and how would you apply it in this role?

Explain your background with toolchain development. Include specific tools, environments, and languages you've worked with, and link your experience to the needs of The Browser Company.

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Can you discuss your experience with cross-platform application development?

Describe specific projects where you contributed to cross-platform application development. Talk about the challenges you faced regarding compatibility and performance and how you addressed these issues effectively.

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What excites you most about the role of Senior Software Engineer, Compiler at The Browser Company?

Express your enthusiasm for the company’s vision and mission. Share specific aspects of the role that resonate with you, such as the focus on innovation, the collaborative culture, and the potential impact on browser technology.

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The web browser is one of the most important tools we use — not just on our computers, but in our lives. The world has changed in the past 15 years, but our web browsers look and behave pretty much th...e same. We think it’s time to push the web b...

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DATE POSTED
March 19, 2025

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