Backend Software Engineer (Platform)

WHOOP; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible vacation

18 weeks parental leave

Stock options

WHOOP membership

Health benefits

Wellness stipend

Sleep bonus

Job summary

WHOOP seeks a Software Engineer II for backend development to design, build, and maintain scalable systems powering our platform. You will collaborate with product managers, data engineers, and frontend developers to deliver features that engage members worldwide.

You’ll implement secure coding practices, improve reliability, and stay current with backend technologies while contributing to engineering standards. Boston-based, full-time role with strong growth potential.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years of backend software development experience.
• Proficiency in Java, Python, or C#.
• Experience designing and building RESTful APIs and microservices.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity concepts such as data privacy and AuthN/AuthZ.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure and containers.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain robust, scalable backend systems.
• Build and maintain APIs for frontend and third-party integrations.
• Collaborate with product managers, data engineers, and frontend developers.
• Ensure reliability, performance, and security through testing and monitoring.
• Advise on security, observability, and best-practice engineering standards.

Skills

Backend development

RESTful APIs

Microservices

Cloud concepts (AWS/GCP/Azure)

Containerization (Docker/Kubernetes)

Observability

Security concepts / data privacy

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Ownership

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

PostgreSQL/MySQL/NoSQL

Kafka/RabbitMQ

IaC (Terraform, CloudFormation)

CI/CD tooling

Job description

• WHOOP is hiring a Software Engineer II focused on backend development to build and enhance systems that power our platform. This role will directly contribute to delivering scalable and secure services that support millions of members worldwide
• This is a top-funnel role: depending on your background and interests, you may align more closely with our Product Security team (focused on secure-by-default guardrails, compliance, and data privacy) or our Application Infrastructure team (focused on scalability, reliability, and developer enablement)
• Either way, you’ll have the opportunity to shape core platform practices and help WHOOP grow to the next level
• Design, develop, and maintain robust, scalable backend systems that power WHOOP’s core infrastructure and member experience
• Collaborate with product managers, data engineers, frontend developers, and other cross-functional partners to deliver features that enhance member engagement
• Build and maintain APIs to enable seamless integration with frontend applications and third-party services
• Ensure system reliability, scalability, and performance through effective testing, monitoring, and optimization
• Implement secure coding practices and contribute to designing systems that safeguard member data
• Stay current with backend technologies and contribute to improving team engineering standards and best practices

Benefits

• Flexible Vacation: WHOOP has a flexible vacation policy that allows you to unwind, laptop-free, when you need it most.
• Focus on Family: We offer 18 weeks paid parental leave, plus an additional 2 weeks to gradually return to work.
• Get Invested: In addition to a competitive base salary and 401k, you’re eligible to receive stock options to share in the future of WHOOP.
• WHOOP +1: Everyone on the team gets a complimentary WHOOP membership—plus another membership to share with a loved one.
• Health Matters: Our competitive benefits package covers medical, dental, and vision, in addition to mental health services, life and disability insurance, and more.
• Find Your Fit: Full-time employees get $500 a year to spend on wellness in whatever way they see fit, from fitness classes and memberships, to recovery services.
• It Pays to Sleep: Our Sleep Performance Program incentivizes employees to get more sleep. Log an average sleep performance of 85% or higher for the month and get a $100 bonus.
• Location, Location, Location: You can’t beat the views from the rooftop of One Kenmore Square. Feel inspired daily as you work, enjoy free snacks and coffee, and collaborate in the heart of Boston.

While backend development expertise is the primary focus, familiarity with cybersecurity concepts (data privacy, AuthN/AuthZ, etc) or cloud infrastructure concepts (AWS, IaC, Kubernetes, etc) will be considered a strong plusFamiliarity with cybersecurity principles (data privacy, authentication, and authorization) is a plus but not requiredStrong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environmentFamiliarity with database design and management (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, or NoSQL databases)Exposure to event-driven architecture (messaging/streaming tech such as Kafka, RabbitMQ)Understanding of cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or Azure)Good communication skills and ability to collaborate across teams2-4 years of backend software development experience, ideally in languages like Java, Python, or C#Experience designing and building RESTful APIs and microservicesYou automate everything you can, always seeking to replace manual work with scalable toolingYou enjoy working cross-functionally and can communicate complex infrastructure and security topics clearlyYou thrive on ownership and want to shape the foundation of WHOOP’s platformYou believe reliability, security, and visibility are just as important as speed and scaleBackground in cloud security or incident responseFamiliarity with containers and orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)Exposure to building translation or localization platforms to support multi-language content deliveryHands-on experience with observability tools (logging, monitoring, alerting) in production environmentsExperience working with infrastructure as code and developer enablement platforms