Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Platform

Rippling; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Rippling is seeking a senior backend Platform Engineer to design and implement core services and APIs that power HR, IT, and Finance features. You will work on high-volume, secure, and scalable systems used by thousands of engineers across Rippling’s unified platform.

You will collaborate with product, frontend, and platform teams, raise technical standards, and mentor engineers on backend best practices. A strong CS foundation and excellent cross-functional communication are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a production environment with backend systems
• Deep knowledge of distributed systems and data modeling
• Strong CS fundamentals and ability to deliver complex projects
• Excellent communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Design and implement core backend services and APIs powering product capabilities
• Build for high-volume scale, reliability, and security with informed infrastructure decisions
• Collaborate with product, frontend, and platform teams to translate feature goals into robust solutions
• Lead code and design reviews and mentor engineers on backend best practices

Skills

5+ years backend experience

Distributed systems architecture

Python or Go

Relational databases optimization

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related

Job description

About the Platform Team

The Platform Engineering team is the invisible engine that powers all of Rippling's integrated products—HR, IT, and Finance. Our mission is to build the core infrastructure, tools, and shared services that allow every other engineering team to ship highly reliable, secure, and globally scalable features with maximum velocity. We manage the foundational components that ensure Rippling's single, unified platform operates efficiently and securely.

Our Scope: Foundational Systems for 1,000+ Engineers

Operating as a critical scaled team, we own and operate a variety of mission-critical systems that directly support close to 1,000 engineers building products and internal platforms across Rippling. We deliver the most foundational shared systems inside the Platform organization.

What you will do

• Own the design and implementation of core backend services and APIs that power critical product capabilities and complex business logic.
• Ensure all systems are built for high-volume scale, reliability, and security, making strategic decisions about infrastructure and data integrity.
• Work seamlessly with product, frontend, and platform teams to translate feature goals into robust, high-performance technical solutions.
• Elevate the team's technical standards, lead code and design reviews, and mentor engineers on backend best practices.

What you will need

• 5+ years of experience in a production environment using Python, Go, or a similar high-scale backend language.
• Deep expertise in distributed systems architecture, data modeling, and performance optimization of relational databases.
• You have seen and contributed to systems operating at a significant technical and organizational scale.
• Strong understanding of CS/algorithms fundamentals and experience with complex project delivery.
• Exceptional communication skills with technical and cross-functional stakeholders.

Additional Information

Rippling is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected characteristics, Rippling is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities who need assistance during the hiring process. To request a reasonable accommodation, please email [e-mail]

Rippling highly values having employees working in-office to foster a collaborative work environment and company culture. For office-based employees (employees who live within a defined radius of a Rippling office), Rippling considers working in the office, at least three days a week under current policy, to be an essential function of the employee's role.

This role will receive a competitive salary + benefits + equity. The salary for US-based employees will be aligned with one of the ranges below based on location; see which tier applies to your location here. A variety of factors are considered when determining someone’s compensation–including a candidate’s professional background, experience, and location. Final offer amounts may vary from the amounts listed below.