Senior Software Engineer - Android - job 1 of 2

As a Senior Software Engineer - Android at Nextdoor, your key responsibilities include improving and developing various parts of our Android app infrastructure. You will work on optimizing networking, analytics, and modular app structures while utilizing best practices such as Kotlin and MVI. You will also be involved in mentoring junior engineers, innovating product features, and participating in data analysis to understand the impact of those features. Your role is crucial in ensuring that our app meets the needs of our communities while delivering a delightful user experience.

To be considered for the Senior Software Engineer - Android position at Nextdoor, candidates should possess at least 5 years of experience in software engineering and a strong background in Android development. An advanced understanding of Kotlin, modern networking stacks like OkHttp and Retrofit, and familiarity with testing frameworks such as JUnit and Mockito are essential. Additionally, a passion for mentoring and a keen interest in improving Android app infrastructure are vital attributes that we look for in applicants.

In the role of Senior Software Engineer - Android at Nextdoor, you will primarily work with Kotlin, MVI, and GraphQL, alongside modern networking libraries like OkHttp and Retrofit. You’ll also engage with testing frameworks such as Espresso and Mockito to ensure the quality of your code. Familiarity with dependency injection frameworks like Dagger, as well as UI architecture best practices, will also be important as you structure and enhance our Android application.

Absolutely! At Nextdoor, we believe in empowering our engineers to shape their careers. As a Senior Software Engineer - Android, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior staff and influence the project roadmap and features. We provide resources to enhance your skills and foster your growth within the company, allowing you to pursue your passions and goals while making a tangible impact on the platform you help build.

Nextdoor offers a competitive compensation package for the Senior Software Engineer - Android position, with an expected salary ranging from $180,000 to $225,000 annually, depending on experience and proficiency. Additionally, we provide equity grants, comprehensive health plans covering dental and vision, and a OneMedical membership. We foster a culture that values diversity and inclusivity and prioritize the wellness of our employees as you contribute to building stronger communities.

When discussing how you handle testing for your Android applications, focus on your familiarity with testing frameworks like JUnit, Mockito, and Espresso. Discuss your process for writing unit tests, integration tests, and UI tests to ensure your code is reliable and bug-free. Highlight your approach to creating a culture of testing within teams and how it contributes to the overall success of projects.

In your response, discuss methodologies such as Agile or Kanban, emphasizing your experience working within these frameworks. Explain how these methodologies improve communication and collaboration within teams and deliver better software products. Providing specific examples from past projects will illustrate your understanding and adaptability in different settings.

Use this opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills. Describe a specific challenge, the steps you took to analyze the issue, and how you arrived at a solution. Focus on the technologies you used and the impact your solution had on the app's performance or user experience. Make it clear why this experience highlighted your abilities as a Senior Software Engineer.

In answering how you prioritize features and technical debt, discuss your approach to balancing immediate needs with long-term codebase sustainability. Talk about the importance of stakeholder input, user feedback, and data analysis in determining priority levels. Provide examples of how you've prioritized effectively in past projects to drive value while maintaining code quality.

Mention the tools you're proficient in, such as Git for source control and Jira or Trello for project management. Explain how these tools enhance collaboration and streamline workflows. Discuss any practices you follow for code reviews and how you ensure that the project stays on track based on timelines and team allocations.

Share your strategies for staying current with Android development trends, like following key blogs, participating in online forums, or attending industry conferences. Emphasize the importance of continuous learning and engagement within the developer community to improve your skills and bring fresh ideas into your work.

Discuss your practical experience working with Kotlin, highlighting features that improve safety and code readability. Explain how Kotlin's features, like null safety and concise syntax, enhance Android app development, making it crucial for modern applications. Reference projects where you successfully utilized Kotlin to solve specific challenges.

Address performance optimization by discussing techniques you've used, like analyzing memory leaks, optimizing network calls, and leveraging efficient data storage solutions. Emphasize the value of performance testing and monitoring tools you might have utilized and how they contributed to an improved user experience.

In your response, focus on your mentorship philosophy. Discuss how you foster an inclusive and supportive environment while guiding junior engineers through projects. Highlight specific strategies you employ, like pair programming or regular feedback sessions, and share any success stories of juniors you have mentored and their development.

When discussing your excitement about working at Nextdoor, reflect on the mission and values of the company. Talk about your passion for building technology that fosters community connections and how your skills align with the role. Share specific aspects of the company culture or projects that resonate with you and your professional goals.