Senior Software Engineer 2, Backend

As a Senior Software Engineer 2, Backend at Life360, your primary responsibilities will include designing and developing scalable cloud systems in Java, creating new microservices to support product features, and implementing API gateways for external integrations. You will collaborate with mobile and web engineering teams, ensuring efficient and reliable development processes as the business grows.

To qualify for the Senior Software Engineer 2, Backend role at Life360, candidates should possess a Bachelor's in Computer Science or a related field along with 8+ years of experience in programming languages such as Java, PHP, or Python. Expertise in AWS for large scale deployments, strong Kubernetes experience, and proficiency in Infrastructure as Code tools is essential for success in this position.

The Senior Software Engineer 2, Backend plays a crucial role in furthering Life360’s mission by developing robust backend systems that keep families connected. By creating resilient and scalable solutions, you directly enhance the user experience, making Life360’s services more effective in providing peace of mind for millions of families across the globe.

Life360 offers a remote-first work environment for the Senior Software Engineer 2, Backend role. This means you will collaborate with a diverse group of team members virtually, participate in meetings via video conferencing, and work independently while receiving support from your peers. You’ll have the flexibility to manage your workspace, and we provide the tools necessary for effective remote collaboration.

As a Senior Software Engineer 2, Backend at Life360, you can expect a competitive salary, 100% paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, flexible PTO, and mental wellness support. Additional perks include a free Life360 Platinum Membership and various educational programs to help you grow in your career while ensuring your work-life balance.

In preparing for this excellent question, think of specific Java projects that showcase your ability to build scalable applications. Discuss frameworks like Spring that you've used and highlight any challenges you overcame, particularly in a cloud environment.

When answering this question, outline your approach to microservice architecture. Discuss principles like bounded contexts, API-first design, and maintaining service independence while ensuring smooth communication between services.

Share your experiences with deploying applications on AWS, focusing on tools like Terraform for Infrastructure as Code and any CI/CD pipelines you've implemented. Be sure to mention how you have addressed scalability in real-time applications.

Discuss any specific instances where you've deployed applications using Kubernetes and highlight your familiarity with managing production Kubernetes clusters. Mention best practices you've implemented for performance and security.

Address your coding standards, including your routine for code reviews, automated testing strategies, and any CI/CD practices that ensure quality. Emphasize the importance of strong documentation and unit tests.

Choose a specific example that showcases your problem-solving skills. Describe the issue, your analysis process, and the steps you took to reach a solution. Highlight teamwork if applicable, and conclude with the positive outcome.

Demonstrate your interpersonal skills by explaining how you engage with product managers, designers, and other engineering teams. Discuss communication tools and strategies that ensure everyone is on the same page throughout the development lifecycle.

Discuss tools like Prometheus, Grafana, or CloudWatch and how you've used them to monitor application performance. Provide examples of incidents where monitoring helped you detect issues and how you proactively addressed them.

Describe your ongoing learning habits, whether that includes attending conferences, online courses, or active participation in developer communities. Emphasize your passion for technology and how you apply new knowledge to your work.

Share your motivations for pursuing this position at Life360, including your passion for creating impactful software that enhances family connectivity. Talk about the satisfaction derived from solving complex problems and mentoring others.