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Playground Wrangler

WordPress Playground needs a developer to help us shape the future of WordPress. We’re looking for a senior person, interested equally in the technology, the people using the technology, and the big picture.Some of your responsibilities will include:Build fundamental, low-level PHP tools intended for inclusion in WordPress Core (e.g. WPWP synchronization, streaming parsers, git clients).• Read specifications, RFCs, web standards proposals (e.g. WHATWG HTML spec, git protocol, JSPI proposal).• Publish rough, half-baked prototypes to inspire the community and draw out the early reactions (e.g. a WordPress IDE, recording WordPress (test runs) with Playwright, a Blueprints builder).• Coordinate with the community and other Automattic teams.Responsibilities:• Develop code for WordPress Playground, both in TypeScript and PHP, submit well described Github issues and pull requests, and engage in discussion and code reviews.• Communicate in a friendly and professional way with community members and help them take submissions over the finish line.• Make use of existing documentation resources and examples, and improve them where you see fit or make improvements to the APIs to help the community to achieve tasks faster.Requirements:We’d like you to have built something in one or two areas listed below which required a deep dive into those areas. Three is more than enough.• Web Assembly,• Offline apps,• Live collaboration,• Mobile apps,• Stream-processing data,• Parsers,• Browser extensions,• Web browser internals (e.g. chromium codebase),• PHP internals (the C codebase),• Git internals (the .git store, the protocol),• Helping define new web standards (e.g. contributing to WASM standards discussions, participating in PHP mailing lists, proposing RFCs for WordPress – even if there’s no RFC process in place).Salary range: $70,000-$170,000 USD - Please note that salary ranges are global, regardless of location, and we pay in local currency.This isn’t your typical work-from-home job—we are a fully-remote company with an open vacation policy. Read more about our compensation philosophy. To see a full list of benefits by country, consult our Benefits Page. And check out these links to learn more about How We Hire and What We Expect from Ourselves.ABOUT AUTOMATTICWe are the people behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Tumblr, Simplenote, Jetpack, Longreads, Day One, Pocket Casts, and more. We believe in making the web a better place.We’re a distributed company with more than 1700 Automatticians in 92 countries speaking 110+ different languages. And, even more than growth and profitability (although we’re plenty profitable), above all, we’re driven by a mission: We democratize publishing and commerce so anyone with a story can tell it, and anyone with a product can sell it, regardless of income, gender, politics, language, or country.We believe in Open Source, and the vast majority of our work is available under the GPL.DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION AT AUTOMATTICWe’re improving diversity in the tech industry. At Automattic, we want people to love their work and show respect and empathy to all. We welcome differences and strive to increase participation from traditionally underrepresented groups. Our DEI committee involves Automatticians across the company and drives grassroots change. For example, this group has helped facilitate private online spaces for affiliated Automatticians to gather and helps run a monthly DEI People Lab series for further learning. DEI is a priority at Automattic, though our dedication influences far more than just Automatticians: We make our products freely available and translate our products into and offer customer support in numerous languages. We require unconscious bias training for our hiring teams and ensure our products are accessible across different bandwidths and devices.Automattic is a Most Loved Company and Disability Confident Committed. (Here’s what that might mean for you.) Learn more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion and our Employee Resource Groups.
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What You Should Know About Playground Wrangler, Automattic

Join WordPress Playground in San Francisco, CA, as a Playground Wrangler and play a vital role in shaping the future of WordPress. We're eagerly seeking a senior developer who has a passion for technology, understands the needs of users, and keeps an eye on the bigger picture. Your responsibilities will include building fundamental, low-level PHP tools that are critical for WordPress Core and reading specifications and web standards proposals. You'll be responsible for publishing innovative prototypes that will inspire our community, such as a WordPress IDE, and you'll coordinate with the wider Automattic team and community. With a focus on TypeScript and PHP, you will engage in discussions, conduct code reviews, and help community members complete their submissions seamlessly. We’re looking for someone who has a robust understanding of several technical areas—be it Web Assembly, offline apps, or mobile apps—and who can comfortably communicate in a friendly manner with community members to further everyone's learning experience. Here at Automattic, we believe in creating an environment that is inclusive and diverse. If you're excited about developing tools that make publishing accessible to all and have a remote-first work attitude, you could be a great fit for us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Playground Wrangler Role at Automattic
What are the main responsibilities of a Playground Wrangler at WordPress Playground?

As a Playground Wrangler at WordPress Playground, you will undertake a variety of responsibilities that include developing PHP tools critical for WordPress Core, working with TypeScript, and publishing prototypes to engage the community. You will collaborate with your peers at Automattic, facilitate discussions, and support community members in successfully completing their submissions.

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What qualifications are needed to apply for the Playground Wrangler position at WordPress Playground?

To qualify for the Playground Wrangler position at WordPress Playground, candidates should have substantial experience in web development. Additionally, expertise in one or more specialized areas such as Web Assembly, offline apps, or Git internals will be advantageous. Strong communication skills to engage with community members are also essential.

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How does WordPress Playground support its community and developers?

WordPress Playground is dedicated to supporting its community and developers through open communication and collaboration. You'll have opportunities to create innovative prototypes and participate in discussions that influence the development of WordPress. The team also actively encourages community contributions, aiming to make publishing and commerce accessible to everyone.

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What kind of work environment can I expect at WordPress Playground as a Playground Wrangler?

As a Playground Wrangler at WordPress Playground, you will enjoy a remote-first work environment that emphasizes flexibility, inclusiveness, and collaboration. Our open vacation policy allows you to prioritize your personal needs while contributing to a supportive atmosphere that values diversity and community involvement.

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What benefits does WordPress Playground offer to its employees?

WordPress Playground offers an extensive range of benefits for its employees, including competitive salaries across locations, flexible work-from-home policies, and opportunities for professional development. We also prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to ensure a respectful and empathetic work culture.

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Common Interview Questions for Playground Wrangler
Can you describe your experience with PHP tools relevant to WordPress?

When answering this question, focus on specific PHP projects you've worked on that relate directly to WordPress. Highlight your contributions, the challenges you faced, and how they helped improve functionality or user experience.

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What are the key considerations when contributing to open-source projects like WordPress?

When discussing contributions to open-source projects like WordPress, emphasize the importance of clear documentation, community engagement, and responsiveness to feedback. Also, mention how understanding licensing and adhering to community standards is crucial for successful collaboration.

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How do you approach reading and understanding web standards proposals?

In your answer, explain your methodology for analyzing web standards proposals. Discuss how you break down technical documents, seek clarification through community forums, and apply relevant standards to development work.

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What role does community feedback play in your development process?

Describe how essential community feedback is to refining your work. Emphasize your proactive approach in engaging with users for suggestions and perspective, noting how this input guides your decisions in code development.

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Can you share a challenge faced during a project and how you overcame it?

Provide a specific example where you encountered a significant challenge in a project. Detail your thought process, the steps you took to resolve it, and how your actions led to a positive outcome for your team or community.

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How familiar are you with Git, especially regarding its internals?

When addressing your Git knowledge, discuss your experience with various functionalities, your comfort level navigating Git internals, and any contributions you’ve made to understanding or improving Git processes within your projects.

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What innovative prototype would you like to create for WordPress Playground?

This question is your chance to showcase creativity. Present an idea for a prototype, explain why it's relevant and beneficial to the community, and discuss how you would approach its development, keeping in mind community feedback.

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How do you manage your time when working on multiple projects?

In your response, illustrate your time management strategy by covering how you prioritize tasks, use productivity tools, and communicate with your team to ensure everyone is aligned and informed.

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Can you describe your experience working with TypeScript?

Detail your familiarity and experience with TypeScript, listing any projects where you've employed it. Discuss how it differs from JavaScript in your development style and how you leverage its features for better code quality.

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What does diversity, equity, and inclusion mean to you in the workplace?

Express your understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and its importance in fostering a respectful work environment. Share examples of how you've promoted DEI in previous roles or how you would contribute at Automattic.

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We are the people behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, WordPress VIP, Simplenote, Longreads, The Atavist, WPScan, Akismet, Gravatar, Crowdsignal, Cloudup, Tumblr, Day One, Pocket Casts, and more. We believe in making the web a better place....

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BADGES
Badge Rapid Growth
CULTURE VALUES
Mission Driven
Customer-Centric
Passion for Exploration
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TEAM SIZE
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, remote
DATE POSTED
November 30, 2024

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