Senior Software Engineer

As a Senior Software Engineer at Alpaca, your primary responsibilities include designing, implementing, and maintaining backend systems that support our innovative trading technology. You will collaborate with finance, operations, and product teams to deliver high-impact features, ensuring the integrity and scalability of the systems. Owning the delivery of significant projects from design to deployment is also key, along with actively participating in cross-functional goal definition.

To be considered for the Senior Software Engineer position at Alpaca, you should have a proven track record in system design, object-oriented data modeling, and service-oriented architectures. Fluent business-level Japanese and conversational English skills are essential. Proficiency in coding with languages such as Go or Java and experience with cloud platforms and relational databases are also important qualifications.

At Alpaca, the work environment for a Senior Software Engineer is fully remote, allowing you to work from anywhere in Tokyo or around the globe. We embrace a collaborative and inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives. You will work with talented colleagues from various backgrounds, ensuring a dynamic atmosphere where innovation thrives and financial services can be opened to everyone.

As a Senior Software Engineer at Alpaca, you will work on developing a modern ledger system specifically designed for the Japanese market. This innovative project will involve building a structured and organized system that aggregates transactional data, aiming to replace traditional ledger systems. Additionally, you’ll contribute to further initiatives that support NISA, API trading, and global stocks, enhancing our award-winning developer-friendly API.

Alpaca provides tremendous growth opportunities for a Senior Software Engineer through ongoing innovations and projects in the fast-evolving financial technology sector. You will have the autonomy to design and implement solutions, and there are numerous avenues for professional development through cross-functional collaborations. Engaging in open-source contributions and learning from a diverse team enriches your career trajectory at Alpaca.

When answering this question, express your enthusiasm for Alpaca’s mission to democratize financial services and how your skills align with their innovative projects. Highlight your interest in the global impact of technology in finance and your eagerness to contribute to a collaborative remote work culture.

Provide detailed examples of past projects where you were responsible for system design, emphasizing your approach to object-oriented data modeling and service-oriented architectures. Discuss how these experiences prepare you for the challenges at Alpaca, particularly in building scalable and maintainable systems.

Share your practices for writing clean, efficient code, such as using code reviews, writing unit tests, and adhering to design patterns. Emphasize your commitment to producing defect-free solutions and how this aligns with Alpaca's emphasis on system integrity.

Select a relevant technical challenge you encountered, describe the context, and detail the actions you took to resolve it. Emphasize problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate with others, aligning this with your potential contributions at Alpaca.

Discuss your methods for prioritizing work effectively, such as breaking down projects into manageable tasks, using project management tools, and communicating with stakeholders. Highlight how these practices can be crucial when delivering high-impact features at Alpaca.

Detail your experience with cloud platforms, specifically Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and how you have used cloud services to enhance system performance and scalability. Illustrate how your cloud knowledge will aid your role at Alpaca.

Explain how you adapt your communication style to connect with non-technical teams effectively. Provide examples of past collaborations that demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring everyone is aligned on project goals.

Be specific about your experience with Go and Java, discussing projects where you effectively utilized these languages. Tie your programming expertise back to the requirements of the Senior Software Engineer role at Alpaca, focusing on how it will be beneficial for their projects.

Demonstrate your knowledge of Alpaca’s offerings, including their API, trading capabilities, and innovative financial solutions. Show engagement by sharing thoughts on how these products evolve the financial services landscape and your interest in contributing to their success.

Discuss the relevance of a modern ledger system in maintaining accurate transactional data, its importance in compliance with financial regulations, and how it can improve operational efficiency. Your answer should reflect a comprehensive understanding of both the technical and business implications, making it clear how you can contribute to this initiative.