Senior Software Engineer (Backend)

As a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) at GoFundMe, your primary role involves collaborating with a skilled team to craft and enhance features for our Giving team. You will handle the development, testing, deployment, and documentation of backend services, ensuring performance and reliability. In addition, you'll participate actively in code reviews, manage on-call responsibilities, recognize technical debt, and advocate for codebase improvements.

Candidates looking to join GoFundMe as a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) should possess at least 5 years of professional experience with backend programming languages, such as Java, Kotlin, Python, or PHP, and have a strong understanding of relational database design. Experience in developing GraphQL or REST APIs, using Git, and working with CI/CD tools in an agile environment is also essential for this role.

At GoFundMe, we promote a hybrid work environment, allowing for flexibility in how you work. Our team thrives in a supportive atmosphere where collaboration is encouraged and accomplishments are celebrated. You will be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, equity, and belonging, ensuring that all employees feel represented and supported.

As a Senior Software Engineer (Backend) at GoFundMe, you will primarily work with languages like Java, Kotlin, or Python to develop robust backend solutions. Familiarity with databases, CI/CD tooling, and APIs is crucial. Additionally, experience with application performance monitoring tools like New Relic and Sumo Logic, as well as cloud services like AWS, GCP, or Azure, will enhance your ability to contribute to our projects.

GoFundMe is committed to your professional development as a Senior Software Engineer (Backend). With various learning and development programs available, you will have ample opportunities to enhance your skills. You will also receive recognition for your contributions and can participate in our 'Gives Back' program, which fosters a sense of community while supporting your personal career goals.

In response, discuss your background with specific languages like Java, Kotlin, Python, or PHP, focusing on projects where you've applied these skills. Highlight specific features or functionalities you developed and how your contributions were pivotal to the project's success.

A great answer would involve discussing past experiences where you identified performance issues, the tools you utilized for diagnostics (like New Relic), and the solutions you implemented to enhance the application's efficiency.

It's important to emphasize your collaborative approach to code reviews, highlighting your focus on maintaining high standards, mentoring peers, and continuously improving the code quality through constructive feedback.

In your answer, provide details of specific projects where you've designed or used RESTful APIs, discussing their architecture, authentication methods, and how your work enhanced user experiences or functionality.

Express your understanding of technical debt, including its long-term implications. Share examples of how you've addressed it in past projects, be it through refactoring code, advocating for scheduled maintenance, or implementing best practices.

Discuss your experience using Git for version control, focusing on collaborative workflows. Mention how you manage branches, resolve merge conflicts, and utilize features like pull requests for peer reviews.

Talk about the CI/CD tools you've used, such as Jenkins or CircleCI, explaining how they fit into your development workflow and the impact they had on automating deployments and improving time-to-market.

Outline your familiarity with agile methodologies, such as Scrum or Kanban, and share your experiences in how these approaches improved team collaboration, adaptability, and the overall quality of software delivery.

Narrate a specific challenge related to backend development, detailing the steps you took to analyze the issue, the solution you implemented, and the outcome, emphasizing your problem-solving skills.

Convey your strategies for continuous learning, such as attending workshops, participating in online courses, or following industry leaders. Mention how you apply newfound knowledge to your work to remain competitive and innovative.