Senior / Staff Software Engineer, Backend

As a Senior/Staff Software Engineer at Zip, you will primarily focus on designing and building reliable products and features that enhance our procurement platform. Your responsibilities will include collaborating with diverse teams to understand requirements, developing high-quality code, building scalable applications, and designing APIs that empower various products and services. You will tackle complex technical challenges and contribute significantly to our fast-paced development environment.

To qualify for the Senior/Staff Software Engineer position at Zip, candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in software engineering, specifically in web application and API development. A bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science or a related technical field is required. Familiarity with programming languages and frameworks used at Zip, such as Python, JavaScript, and React, as well as experience with various CI/CD tools and agile methodologies, is highly desirable.

At Zip, our technology stack includes Python, JavaScript, React, and GraphQL for backend and frontend development, respectively. Additionally, we leverage industry-standard tools for build, test, and deployment, such as Kubernetes, Jenkins, Spinnaker, and monitoring solutions like Prometheus and Grafana, to ensure our applications run smoothly and reliably.

Zip is dedicated to fostering professional growth and personal well-being among employees. As a Senior/Staff Software Engineer, you will benefit from a culture of mentorship and collaboration with experienced colleagues who are always ready to lend support. Additionally, we offer flexible PTO, health benefits, and catered meals to ensure that you can focus on both your work and your well-being in a supportive environment.

Working at Zip offers a unique blend of innovation and collaboration within a startup environment. Our company values ownership and open communication, creating a culture that encourages every team member to contribute ideas and take on new challenges. With the backing of top-tier investors and rapid growth, you'll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the procurement tech landscape while enjoying many perks that enhance the work-life balance.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects where you designed APIs to enable various functionalities. Highlight your understanding of RESTful vs. GraphQL APIs, your approach to versioning and security, and any tools or frameworks you utilized during development. Sharing tangible outcomes or impact can help illustrate your expertise effectively.

In answering this question, talk about the importance of readability, organization, and using design patterns. Discuss practices such as thorough commenting, adherence to coding standards, modular design, and the importance of code reviews. Providing concrete examples of how you've applied these practices in past projects will strengthen your response.

To showcase your problem-solving skills, discuss your typical approach to breaking down complex challenges into manageable parts. Mention techniques such as researching best practices, collaborating with team members, prototyping solutions, and iteratively testing your ideas. Highlighting a specific instance where this approach led to a successful resolution will provide a strong impact.

When discussing your experience with Docker and Kubernetes, mention specific projects where you've utilized them for containerization and orchestration. Explain tasks you performed, such as setting up CI/CD pipelines, scaling applications, and managing infrastructure, to demonstrate how you leverage these technologies for deployment and operational efficiency.

Reply by discussing your research on Zip's platform and its importance in procurement processes. Mention the key features you are familiar with, such as request management and B2B payment processing. Demonstrate your ability to connect your past experiences in software engineering to how you could contribute to enhancing Zip's product offerings.

In answering this question, emphasize the importance of communication and teamwork in software development. Share examples of how you worked alongside product, design, and customer-oriented teams to gather feedback and ensure that the features you developed met users' needs. Highlight your ability to foster relationships and facilitate discussions across diverse groups.

Discuss your experience with various testing strategies, including unit testing, integration testing, and employing automated tests. Explain tools you have used for testing and deployment processes, emphasizing the importance of quality assurance in a production environment. Providing examples of how your testing practices have led to improved application stability can add value to your answer.

Talk about your methods for continuous learning, such as following industry blogs, participating in relevant forums, attending workshops, or engaging with online courses. Mention specific technologies or trends you are currently exploring and how they might soon influence your work, demonstrating your proactive approach to keeping your skills relevant.

When answering this question, share examples of specific projects or experiences that fueled your passion for coding. Discuss your desire to solve problems, the satisfaction of seeing your work positively impact users, or how working collaboratively with talented individuals drives you. Connecting your motivation to Zip's mission can show alignment with the company's values.

Answer by describing your approach to task prioritization, such as evaluating deadlines, project importance, and resource availability. Mention any tools or methodologies you use, such as Agile practices or Kanban boards, to help manage your workload efficiently. Providing an example of using prioritization to meet a tight deadline or manage competing demands will enhance your response.