Senior Software Engineer, Recommendations

Lyft; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 136,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health and dental coverage

Mental health benefits

Family building benefits

Child care and pet benefits

Health Care Savings Account

RRSP plan

Flexible PTO

Parental leave (18 weeks)

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Lyft is seeking a senior software engineer for the Applied AI – Recommendations team in Toronto. You will build backend systems that decide what we surface to riders, architect pipelines turning rider context into the right offer at the right moment, and drive measurable rider impact.

You’ll collaborate with product, data science, analytics and operations, mentor peers, and contribute to scalable, maintainable code in a cross‑functional environment. Hybrid in-office schedule in Toronto.

Qualifications

• BS/MS or equivalent in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of software engineering/production infrastructure experience.
• Proficient in Python and Go.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and distributed systems.
• Experience with PostgreSQL or DynamoDB.
• Proficient with AI tools to accelerate coding workflows.
• Strong object-oriented programming skills; knowledge of data structures/algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Establish engineering best practices and drive a culture of excellence.
• Lead high-impact projects and develop innovative solutions for better user experience.
• Design scalable systems from idea to launch for large features.
• Mentor engineers and support their growth.
• Promote use of AI tools to boost productivity across the team.

Skills

Python

Go

Cloud platforms

Distributed systems

PostgreSQL / DynamoDB

AI tools (Copilot etc.)

OO programming

Data structures / algorithms

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

BS/MS in CS/Engineering or equivalent

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect. We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive.

Lyft is looking for software engineers from a scope of disciplines. We are growing our team with people who want to build, improve and incorporate technologies that make the lives of our community more enriched. As an engineer at Lyft, you'll collaborate with teams like product, data science, analytics, and operations on code that empowers us to iterate quickly, while focusing on delighting our passengers and drivers.

The Applied AI team is looking for a senior software Engineer to join the Recommendations team. You will build the backend systems that decide what we surface to riders. You will architect the pipelines and services that turn rider context and signals into the right offer at the right moment, driving a measurable impact on rider experience.

Responsibilities

• Establish engineering best practices and patterns; help uplift the team's craft and drive a culture of engineering excellence
• Drive high-impact projects and innovate new solutions to deliver the best user experience
• Produce and drive scalable system design for large, complex features — from idea through execution and launch
• Mentor engineers on the team, providing technical guidance and supporting their growth
• Champion and evangelize the use of AI tools to accelerate engineering productivity across the team, sharing patterns and best practices that raise the bar for how the team builds
• Write well-crafted, well-tested, readable, maintainable code
• Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and share knowledge across the team
• Participate in the team's on-call rotation; identify, triage, debug, and resolve issues across our applications and platforms
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain the various trade offs made in decisions
• Manage project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.

Experience

• BS/MS or equivalent in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of software engineering/production infrastructure industry experience.
• Experience with Python and Go.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), distributed systems, and databases such as PostgreSQL or DynamoDB
• Proficient and effective in using AI tools (e.g. Copilot, Claude Code, Cursor) to accelerate coding and engineering workflows
• Proficiency in object-oriented programming.
• Experience working with data structures or algorithms.
• Ability to work with a low-ego, highly collaborative, and cross-functional team.
• Bonus points: Experience building real-time serving systems for ML models, working with recommendation or ranking systems, feature stores, or online/offline experimentation frameworks.

Benefits

• Extended health and dental coverage options, along with life insurance and disability benefits
• Mental health benefits
• Family building benefits
• Child care and pet benefits
• Access to a Lyft funded Health Care Savings Account
• RRSP plan to help save for your future
• In addition to provincial observed holidays, salaried team members are covered under Lyft's flexible paid time off policy. The policy allows team members to take off as much time as they need (with manager approval). Hourly team members get 15 days paid time off, with an additional day for each year of service
• Lyft is proud to support new parents with 18 weeks of paid time off, designed as a top-up plan to complement provincial programs. Biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible.
• Subsidized commuter benefits

Lyft is committed to creating an inclusive workforce that fosters belonging. Lyft believes that every person has a right to equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, pardoned record of offences, or any other basis protected by applicable law or by Company policy. Lyft also strives for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibits harassment of any kind. Accommodation for persons with disabilities will be provided upon request in accordance with applicable law during the application and hiring process. Please contact your recruiter if you wish to make such a request.

Lyft highly values having employees working in-office to foster a collaborative work environment and company culture. This role will be in-office on a hybrid schedule — Team Members will be expected to work in the office at least 3 days per week, including on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Lyft considers working in the office at least 3 days per week to be an essential function of this hybrid role. Your recruiter can share more information about the various in-office perks Lyft offers. Additionally, hybrid roles have the flexibility to work from anywhere for up to 4 weeks per year. #Hybrid

The expected base pay range for this position in the Toronto area is CAD $136,000 - CAD $170,000, not inclusive of potential equity offering, bonus or benefits. Salary ranges are dependent on a variety of factors, including qualifications, experience and geographic location. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range specific to your working location and other factors during the hiring process.

Lyft may use artificial intelligence to screen applicants, however, Lyft employees make the ultimate selection and hiring decisions.

This job fills an existing vacancy.