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Staff iOS Engineer

About us

Our mission is to reinvent the way people learn, starting with language. We begin by teaching the next billion people English, Spanish, and French.

English is the global language of business, culture, and communication, and over 1.5 billion people around the world are actively trying to learn right now. Others dream of communicating with the half-billion native Spanish speakers across the globe. The problem is that it's nearly impossible to learn to speak a language without constant access to a speaking partner. Grammar and vocab apps don't really help – you need to actually converse with someone.

Speak is on a journey to fix this. We're creating an AI-powered experience that replicates the flow of a conversation, without needing a human on the other end. The goal is to make it radically more accessible to be able to have conversations in a foreign language and eventually help hundreds of millions of people gain fluency who otherwise wouldn't be able to.

We started on this journey over five years ago and we've still got a long ways to go. We're thoughtfully adding new team members only when we think they can truly play a big role in our mission.

Speak launched first in South Korea where we have quickly grown to become the top grossing education app in the country. We have now delivered this winning product to more than 30 countries globally and are continuing to expand to more markets in the coming months. The company is well funded, raising a recent Series B backed by investors like OpenAI, Founders Fund, Y Combinator, Khosla Ventures, Lachy Groom, Josh Buckley, and others. We’re a team of 75 based primarily in SF, Seoul, Tokyo, and Ljubljana.

About this role

As an iOS Engineer on Speak’s engineering team, you will be responsible for a variety of areas including improving how we serve our content, run A/B tests on monetization features, and supporting the launching of new markets and new languages. You will collaborate closely with backend engineers and our partners in Product and Design. You’ll be responsible for shipping product features to millions of users.

What you'll be doing

  • Improve “freemium” experience to increase conversions

  • Support the launching of new markets and new languages

  • Implement various paywall tests, such as pricing, design changes, delayed paywalls, discounted offers, etc.

  • Improve our speech-to-text system

  • Improve our audio and video streaming systems

What we're looking for

  • 5+ years of industry experience working as a Mobile Engineer, preferably in a fast-paced startup environment

    • bonus: worked on an app that has been used by 1M users

  • Proficiency in Swift, with a strong understanding of common mobile architectures including MVC/MVVM

    • bonus: Experience in SwiftUI

    • bonus: Experience in mobile streaming technologies (websockets, ll-hls)

  • Reactive programming(RX Java, etc)

  • Knowledgable in mobile build practices(eg jenkins, bitrise)

  • Knowledgable in Apple StoreKit/RevenueCat

  • Excellent problem-solving and communication skills, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team

  • Coach and mentor other engineers

  • Strong product sense: ability to think broadly/cross-functionally about product experiences

Office

  • San Francisco, CA

Why work at Speak

  1. Join a fantastic, tight-knit team at the right time: we're growing very quickly, we've raised our Series B and additional extensions from some of the top investors in the valley, and we've achieved product-market fit in our initial markets. You'd join at a magical time when a single person could significantly change the course of the company.

  2. Do your life's work with people you’ll love working with: we care strongly about our craft and want every person at Speak to feel like they're growing every day. We believe in the idea that working with people you both enjoy and have respect for makes everything better. We hire thoughtfully and only work with people we admire deeply.

  3. Global in nature: We're live in over 40 countries and launching in a number of new markets soon. We have dedicated offices in San Francisco, Ljubljana, Seoul, and Tokyo, and you’ll have the opportunity to talk to users in each of these regions on a regular basis as well as travel.

  4. Impact people's lives in a major way: Learning a language is one of the single most life-changing skills one can learn, and right now 99% of people never achieve their goal because the process is broken. We’re helping millions of people achieve their goals and improve their lives.

Speak does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

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Average salary estimate

$135000 / YEARLY (est.)
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max
$120000K
$150000K

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What You Should Know About Staff iOS Engineer, SPEAK

Are you ready to make a real impact on the way people learn? At Speak, we're on a mission to revolutionize language learning by providing an AI-powered conversational experience that makes mastering a new language more accessible than ever. We’re looking for a talented Staff iOS Engineer to join our growing team in San Francisco. In this role, you’ll play a crucial part in enhancing our app that’s already helping users across 30 countries. Imagine improving the way we serve content, running A/B tests on monetization features, and assisting with the launch of exciting new markets and languages! You’ll work closely with backend engineers, product managers, and designers to ship features that will reach millions. You’ll also have the opportunity to fine-tune our innovative speech-to-text system, along with audio and video streaming technologies. If you’ve got over 5 years of mobile engineering experience, proficiency in Swift, and a strong grasp of mobile architectures, we want to hear from you! Join a passionate team that not only values skill but also cherishes a collaborative approach to problem-solving. Here at Speak, we believe in the power of personal connections, and we prioritize working with those who share our mission of changing lives through language. This isn’t just another job; it’s a chance to be part of something bigger while developing your career along the way. Let's not just teach languages; let's create meaningful conversations together!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff iOS Engineer Role at SPEAK
What are the key responsibilities of a Staff iOS Engineer at Speak?

As a Staff iOS Engineer at Speak, you'll focus on improving the freemium experience to enhance conversion rates, supporting the launch of new markets and languages, and implementing various paywall tests. Additionally, you will enhance our speech-to-text capabilities and audio/video streaming systems, collaborating with a dedicated team to provide features to millions of users.

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What qualifications are required for the Staff iOS Engineer position at Speak?

To qualify for the Staff iOS Engineer role at Speak, candidates should have over 5 years of experience in mobile engineering, ideally in a fast-paced startup environment. Proficiency in Swift and knowledge of common mobile architectures such as MVC/MVVM are essential. Experience with SwiftUI and mobile streaming technologies are preferred but not mandatory.

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How does Speak support professional development for the Staff iOS Engineer?

At Speak, we value the growth of our employees. As a Staff iOS Engineer, you'll find ample opportunities for mentorship and collaboration. We cultivate a workplace culture focused on learning, allowing you to continuously improve your skills while working on innovative products that truly make a difference.

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What is the team culture like at Speak for a Staff iOS Engineer?

The culture at Speak is tightly-knit and collaborative. We believe in hiring thoughtfully and working with individuals we deeply admire. You'll find a supportive environment filled with like-minded individuals who are just as passionate about language learning as you are, making every day at work enjoyable and impactful.

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Does Speak offer opportunities for international collaboration for the Staff iOS Engineer role?

Yes! At Speak, you will have the unique opportunity to engage with our dedicated offices in San Francisco, Seoul, Ljubljana, and Tokyo. As a Staff iOS Engineer, you’ll interact with users across various regions and may even travel to these exciting locations as part of your role.

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What technologies should a Staff iOS Engineer be familiar with when applying at Speak?

A Staff iOS Engineer at Speak should be knowledgeable in Swift and mobile architectures like MVC/MVVM. Familiarity with mobile build practices such as Jenkins or Bitrise, Apple StoreKit, and RevenueCat will also be advantageous. Experience with reactive programming and streaming technologies is a plus.

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How does Speak's mission impact the work of a Staff iOS Engineer?

As a Staff iOS Engineer at Speak, you will play a fundamental role in driving our mission to make language learning accessible to everyone. Your work will directly contribute to the enhancement of our app, helping millions overcome language barriers and achieve their communication goals, thus making a significant impact on their lives.

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Common Interview Questions for Staff iOS Engineer
Can you describe your experience with Swift and how it relates to mobile architectures?

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you've utilized Swift. Discuss your understanding of mobile architectures such as MVC and MVVM, and how these principles have guided your development processes. Providing examples where your architectural choices led to improved performance or user experience can add value to your response.

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What strategies do you employ to enhance the freemium experience in mobile applications?

Sharing your strategies to improve conversions in a freemium model is crucial. Discuss your approach to A/B testing various features, analyzing user feedback, and utilizing data to make informed decisions. Examples of successful implementation in your previous roles will make your response more impactful.

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How do you stay updated with the latest mobile development technologies and trends?

Express your dedication to professional development. Mention specific resources like workshops, webinars, or tech blogs you follow. Highlight how you apply new technologies or methodologies to your projects—as it shows commitment to continuous learning and adapting to market changes.

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Describe a challenging situation you've faced as a Mobile Engineer and how you resolved it.

When discussing challenges, be specific about the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome. Highlight any collaboration with team members or stakeholders, and what you learned through the process. This illustrates your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

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Can you explain your experience with A/B testing for monetization features?

Discuss your familiarity with A/B testing methodologies. Explain how you’ve tested various monetization strategies, analyzed results, and decided on implementations based on data. Mention any tools you used for testing and the positive outcomes of your experiments.

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What do you consider when designing user interactions for a mobile app?

Focus on user experience principles such as simplicity, accessibility, and user engagement. Discuss your process for gathering user feedback and iterating on designs, and why these factors are crucial for the success of a mobile app, especially in a language learning context.

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How would you approach improving audio and video streaming systems in our app?

Share your understanding of audio and video streaming challenges and solutions. Discuss how you would analyze current performance, seek user feedback, and implement improvements to enhance the user experience while ensuring high-quality delivery of content.

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What do you think are the essential traits of a successful Staff iOS Engineer?

Identify important traits such as strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively. Share personal experiences that demonstrate these traits and how they have contributed to your success and that of your team.

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How do you ensure code quality and maintainability in your projects?

Talk about best practices you follow, like code reviews, writing unit tests, and maintaining documentation. Emphasize the importance of clean, maintainable code and how these practices enhance team productivity and project longevity.

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Explain your approach to mentoring junior engineers in the team.

Discuss your belief in the value of mentorship and how you support junior engineers. Share examples of how you have guided them through challenges, fostered growth, and created an inclusive environment that encourages sharing knowledge and collaboration.

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Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
November 28, 2024

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