Staff Software Engineer

As a Staff Software Engineer at Via, your primary responsibilities will involve developing, executing, and leading our long-term vision for infrastructure and tooling. You will create scalable systems that support our growing needs and engage in hands-on coding, deploying, and maintaining code in production. Additionally, you'll be working closely with various development teams, tackling R&D challenges to evolve our technological landscape.

To qualify for the Staff Software Engineer role at Via, candidates should have a BSc or MSc in Computer Science, along with a minimum of 8 years of experience in backend and infrastructure development. It's also essential to have at least 3 years of hands-on experience with programming languages such as Python, Go, or Java, and substantial knowledge of distributed systems and microservices architectures.

At Via, collaboration is key! As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll work within a cross-functional group, moving between teams as necessary to address business objectives. This dynamic working environment encourages engagement with various development teams and fosters innovation as you tackle significant R&D challenges together.

In this role at Via, you will work with modern technologies including cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure, and containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes. Your experience in large-scale production microservices environments will be crucial as you develop reliable and efficient systems that enhance our technological capabilities.

Via promotes an inclusive and diverse work culture, celebrating various backgrounds and voices. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will enjoy a hybrid working model and a collaborative atmosphere, alongside weekly team lunches and a commitment to social good. Joining Via means being part of a visionary market leader dedicated to improving transportation globally.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects you've worked on that demonstrate your skills in backend infrastructure development. Discuss the technologies you used, challenges faced, and how you overcame them. Emphasize your ability to create scalable systems and foster collaboration with other teams.

Discuss the programming languages you're comfortable with, particularly those listed in the job description, such as Python, Go, or Java. Explain your proficiency in these languages through examples of projects or applications you've developed. This not only shows your technical expertise but also your practical experience applying those skills.

Provide a structured approach to how you build scalable systems, including design considerations, methodologies, and technologies you use. Consider mentioning concepts such as microservices architecture, load balancing, and cloud services. Illustrate your answer with a specific example that showcases your strategic thinking.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to discuss a specific situation where you identified an operational challenge and successfully resolved it. Focus on the steps you took, collaboration with your team, and how your actions led to improved systems or processes.

Share specific experiences you've had using Docker and Kubernetes to manage applications in a microservices architecture. Discuss how you utilized these technologies to improve deployment speeds and enhance the overall scalability of the systems you're worked on.

Discuss the key practices you implement to maintain high code quality. This could include code reviews, automated testing, continuous integration, and monitoring production systems. Providing real examples of how these practices have led to successful outcomes will strengthen your answer.

Highlight your experience with specific cloud platforms mentioned, such as AWS, GCP, or Azure. Discuss your familiarity with deploying services on the cloud, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This demonstrates your hands-on experience and adaptability to evolving technologies.

Emphasize your collaborative mindset when working with cross-functional teams. Provide specific examples of projects where you've effectively communicated between technical and non-technical members, and how that led to successful project outcomes. This shows your ability to foster teamwork and involvement.

Share your passion for transportation technology and how it aligns with bettering global mobility. Discuss specific projects at Via that resonate with you or express your interest in creating solutions that positively impact people's daily lives. This helps connect your personal values to the company’s mission.

Talk about the resources you use to stay updated, such as tech blogs, online courses, forums, and professional networks. Mention any specific tech communities or conferences that you engage with. This demonstrates your proactive approach to professional development and continuous learning.