As a Senior Software Engineer at Formal, you will design and develop a high-performance data platform, work on building new product features from start to finish, and enhance the performance and reliability of both new and existing features. You’ll have the opportunity to lead impactful initiatives and design scalable services as the company grows.

To qualify for the Senior Software Engineer role at Formal, you should have software development experience in building data-intensive platforms, strong knowledge of Golang, and familiarity with streaming data processing frameworks like Apache Kafka. Experience with debugging complex production systems and containerization technologies is also necessary.

The technology stack at Formal includes Golang, Rust, Temporal, various datastore protocols such as Postgres, S3, and Kafka, along with AWS. Familiarity with containerization and infrastructure as code technologies, like Docker and Terraform, will also be beneficial in this role.

Senior Software Engineers at Formal have ample opportunity for growth. You can lead initiatives that strongly impact the company, work on challenging projects that enhance your skills, and become involved in the strategic direction of product development as the company continues to grow.

At Formal, we value work-life balance and support it through flexible PTO policies, alongside comprehensive health benefits including 100% medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for our employees. This allows our team to work sustainably while focusing on their personal and professional growth.

When answering this question, discuss your previous projects using Golang, highlighting its concurrency features and performance benefits. Be sure to give examples of how Golang helped you solve specific technical challenges effectively.

Describe your systematic approach to identifying bugs, which might include using logging tools, performance monitoring, and employing a methodical testing strategy. Provide examples of challenges faced and the successful outcomes of your debugging processes.

Talk about practices such as code reviews, adhering to coding standards, writing unit tests, and using static analysis tools. Mention the importance of documentation and how it contributes to easier maintainability.

Discuss the importance of designing systems that can grow with the business and user demands. Mention techniques you've used in the past to ensure scalability, such as load balancing, microservices architecture, and optimizing database queries.

Explain your experiences with Docker or Kubernetes, focusing on how these technologies improved your development processes, such as through consistent environments and scalability. Give a specific project example where they made a significant impact.

Outline a specific project with clear challenges you faced, such as tight deadlines or technical issues. Describe your problem-solving process, collaboration with the team, and the ultimate successful outcome.

Share your strategies for continuous learning, such as online courses, participating in tech communities, or experimenting with side projects. Emphasize your dedication to staying current with industry trends and technologies.

Discuss methodologies like Agile or Scrum, explaining why you find certain practices effective. Mention how these methodologies facilitated collaboration and adaptability in your previous roles.

Talk about tools and practices you use, such as regular check-ins, Slack, or project management software. Highlight the importance of transparency and soliciting feedback in fostering a collaborative atmosphere.

Discuss key features such as real-time monitoring, data anonymization, and access controls. Link your experience and understanding of data security to the needs of Formal's product and its innovative mission.