Staff Software Engineer

As a Staff Software Engineer at Chewy, you'll primarily be responsible for delivering projects, designing scalable systems, and mentoring junior engineers. You will also perform code reviews, engage in user research to understand customer needs for the Sponsored Ads platform, and apply DevOps practices to enhance development processes. Your collaborative work will be crucial for ensuring that we exceed our user and business expectations.

To qualify for the Staff Software Engineer role at Chewy, candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field (or equivalent experience) and have over 10 years of industry experience focusing on modern JavaScript/TypeScript frameworks like React. Proven skills in building scalable systems, along with expertise in CI/CD, cloud environments like AWS, and a solid understanding of software engineering best practices, are essential. Additional experience in Ad Tech or e-commerce is a plus.

A Staff Software Engineer at Chewy should be well-versed in TypeScript, React, NodeJS, and Express. Familiarity with CI/CD tools (like Jenkins), cloud services (AWS), and authenticating services is critical. Experience with backend technologies such as Java, Kotlin, or Kafka, as well as databases (both SQL and NoSQL), will also be beneficial in successfully executing tasks and projects.

Chewy places a strong emphasis on professional growth for Staff Software Engineers by fostering a culture of mentorship, where experienced engineers can mentor juniors. Additionally, we encourage participation in user research and contemporary development practices, ensuring that you stay engaged and at the forefront of technological advancements. Chewy's commitment to operational excellence will further enhance your skills in a stimulating environment.

Chewy offers a comprehensive benefits package for Staff Software Engineers, including competitive salaries ranging from $169,500 to $271,500, 401k plans, medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as generous paid leave policies. You can also enjoy perks such as pet adoption reimbursement, discounts on pet insurance, unlimited PTO, and flexible spending accounts, ensuring a well-rounded work-life balance.

When answering, focus on specific projects where you utilized TypeScript and React effectively. Highlight how your experience led to code that is both efficient and easy to maintain. Mention any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing the impact of your work on user experience or performance.

When discussing code reviews, stress the importance of constructive feedback and knowledge sharing. Share your strategy for reviewing code, such as ensuring adherence to standards, promoting clean coding practices, and how you encourage an open dialogue with team members.

Describe your project management techniques, such as breaking down large tasks into manageable pieces, setting realistic timelines, and leveraging agile methodologies. Discuss your approach to maintaining clear communication with team members to ensure everyone stays aligned with project goals.

Explain your commitment to continuous learning. You might mention attending developer conferences, participating in online courses, or subscribing to relevant tech publications and communities. Stress the importance of this knowledge in enhancing your work as a Staff Software Engineer.

Choose a specific example that showcases your problem-solving skills. Detail the context, what made the problem challenging, the approach you took to solve it, and the positive outcome that followed. This demonstrates your technical competence and persistence.

Discuss your hands-on experience with CI/CD tools like Jenkins. Describe the benefits you've witnessed when applying CI/CD methodologies in software development, such as faster release cycles and reduced technical debt. If you have specific metrics to share, include them to substantiate your experience.

Outline your prioritization strategies when faced with tight deadlines. Emphasize your ability to focus on critical tasks, maintain quality and clear communication with the team to ensure projects meet deadlines without compromising standards.

Talk about your mentoring style and how you facilitate a nurturing learning environment. Discuss techniques like pair programming, offering constructive feedback, and creating opportunities for junior engineers to take on challenges while ensuring they have support when needed.

Detail your experience with cloud platforms, particularly AWS. Share specific instances where your use of cloud services improved system performance, scaled applications, or contributed to more efficient operations. Be ready to discuss any tools you’ve utilized in those environments.

Highlight the importance of data-driven decision-making. Discuss metrics you prioritize, such as response times, error rates, and user engagement statistics, and how you utilize these metrics to make informed improvements to applications.