Senior Software Engineer, Full Stack

As a Senior Software Engineer, Full Stack at Toast, your core responsibilities include building and enhancing our Inventory Management solutions, collaborating with Design and Product teams, engaging with pilot customers directly in the restaurant, managing projects from implementation through testing and rollout, and mentoring fellow engineers to ensure a high standard of technical excellence. Moreover, you’ll also be involved in evolving our product suite to meet diverse global market needs.

To excel in the Senior Software Engineer, Full Stack role at Toast, candidates should possess high proficiency in modern Javascript frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue, alongside experience in backend languages such as Java, Kotlin, or Python. Familiarity with API principles such as REST and an enjoyment of building user-friendly systems is essential. An agile mindset and adaptability to evolving environments are also critical for this position.

At Toast, we foster an environment where learning and growth are paramount. As a Senior Software Engineer, you will not only be surrounded by talented peers but also have the chance to mentor others. You’ll have access to continual learning opportunities, collaboration across different teams, and chances to lead projects that enhance your professional skill set within a supportive culture.

The technologies we utilize at Toast for our Full Stack engineering efforts include a backend primarily based in Java and Kotlin, React-based SPAs integrating Tailwind, GraphQL, and Storybook, as well as mobile apps built for Android in Java and Kotlin. We also leverage PostgreSQL and DynamoDB for our database needs, alongside tools like Pulsar, Camel, and RabbitMQ for effective message-based integrations.

Toast provides a competitive total rewards package, which not only includes attractive salaries but also comprehensive health benefits aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. Additional perks include flexibility to balance personal and professional commitments, a hybrid work model fostering in-person collaboration, as well as inclusivity-focused practices ensuring all employees feel valued and supported within our diverse workplace.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects where you successfully utilized frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue. Highlight your approach towards building scalable applications, the challenges faced, and how your solutions improved user experience and efficiency.

Discuss your method for project management, such as using agile methodologies or tools like JIRA to track progress. Provide examples of how you’ve effectively communicated with teams to align priorities, ensuring successful project deliveries without compromising quality.

Mention your experience with testing methodologies, such as unit testing, integration testing, and E2E testing. Talk about specific tools or frameworks you've used, like Jest or Selenium, and provide examples of how thorough testing has led to successful software deployments at your previous jobs.

It's vital to demonstrate effective communication in explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Discuss a scenario where you successfully bridged the gap between customer needs and technical solutions, ensuring alignment and fostering collaborative project development.

Reflect on your philosophy of mentoring, discussing techniques you use to support junior engineers in skill development. Highlight specific instances where you’ve guided someone to overcome challenges, emphasizing the importance of fostering a learning environment to ensure their growth and confidence.

Share methods such as reading industry blogs, engaging in professional networks, attending workshops or meetups, and participating in online communities. This shows your commitment to lifelong learning and adaptability, which are crucial in the fast-paced tech landscape.

Give a detailed account of a specific challenge, outlining the context, the steps you took, and the outcome. This indicated your problem-solving abilities and your capacity to remain analytical and solution-oriented under pressure.

Articulate your commitment to maintaining high code quality through practices such as code reviews, adhering to coding standards, and using tools for code linting. You can also reference how high code quality impacts long-term maintainability and reduces technical debt.

Emphasize your open-mindedness, focusing on how you receive feedback constructively and use it to inform future iterations of your work. Providing an example of a time feedback led to a successful enhancement of a project will strengthen your response.

Discuss your passion for the restaurant industry and how Toast’s mission aligns with your career goals. Talk about the innovative technologies used at Toast and express your eagerness to contribute to building products that have a meaningful impact on users' lives across the globe.