Senior Software Engineer- Remote (US based)

Thorn; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Thorn in the United States is seeking a Senior Engineer for the Victim Identification team. You own significant features and system components, bringing expertise to core areas of the system and shaping design, build, and maintenance to support Thorn’s mission.

You will deliver complex projects within defined scope, apply sound technical judgment, and collaborate with Product and Engineering to translate goals into well-scoped technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineers to build and maintain scalable systems end-to-end.
• Take on complex features and projects independently and communicate progress clearly to stakeholders.
• Lead technical discussions with Build and Product to define requirements and approaches.
• Develop solutions to problems faced by users, articulating tradeoffs and decisions to stakeholders.
• Apply sound design and implementation judgment to improve reliability, scalability, and sustainability.
• Contribute to day-to-day coding, code reviews, and troubleshooting production issues, including on-call rotations.
• Identify technical risks early and address them with teammates.
• Mentor teammates within your domain and share expertise to strengthen the team.
• Contribute to improving team practices and documentation.

Tools

Python3

TypeScript/React

AWS

Terraform

Docker

Kubernetes

Elasticsearch

PostgreSQL

Datadog

Job description

• Elasticsearch / PostgreSQL

At Thorn, our cause is our code. We are a nonprofit whose mission of defending children from sexual exploitation and abuse is deeply embedded within our core—a shared code that drives us to do challenging work with resilience and determination. Here, you’ll work and grow among the best hearts and the best minds in tech, data, and business alongside our network of independent partners, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies. Together, we’re focused on building technology that protects children’s futures. We are looking for dynamic problem solvers with the desire to help address some of today’s toughest issues. You'll collaborate with a diverse group of peers in a remote environment centered on wellness, care, and compassion.

In 2019, we took the stage at TED and shared our audacious goal of eliminating child sexual abuse material from the internet. Come join us to help make this goal a reality and build a world where every child can be safe, curious, and happy.

About The Role

Our Victim Identification team builds and owns tools that empower global law enforcement partners to combat child sexual abuse. As a Senior Engineer, you take ownership of significant features and system components, bringing expertise to a core area of the system and contributing meaningfully to how our systems are designed, built, and maintained.

In this role, you independently deliver complex projects within a defined scope, apply sound technical judgment to design and implementation decisions, and ensure high standards of quality, reliability, and performance in support of Thorn’s mission. You partner closely with Product and Engineering to translate goals into well-scoped technical solutions and execute them successfully.

Through strong collaboration and thoughtful ownership, you help raise the bar for quality within your team and contribute to the health and effectiveness of your team’s systems.

What You’ll Do

• Collaborate with engineers on your team to build and maintain scalable systems and applications from end-to-end.
• Take on complex features and projects independently. You gather input from teammates, break down problems, and communicate progress clearly to stakeholders.
• Lead technical discussions within your team, partnering closely with Build and Product to define requirements and arrive together at practical, high-quality approaches.
• Develop solutions to problems faced by our users, clearly articulating tradeoffs and decisions to stakeholders across technical and non-technical audiences, and incorporating feedback into iterative improvements.
• Apply sound design and implementation judgment within your area of ownership, contributing to system reliability, scalability, and sustainability.
• Play a critical role in day-to-day coding, thorough code reviews, and troubleshooting production issues, including participating in on-call rotations to support system reliability and incident response.
• Identify technical risks within your work and raise them early, collaborating with teammates to address issues before they become larger constraints.
• Strengthen your team by sharing expertise, offering thoughtful feedback, mentoring teammates within your domain, and stepping in to help when needed.
• Contribute to improving team practices and documentation, supporting a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

• You have a commitment to putting the children we serve at the center of everything you do.
• You have experience building and maintaining production-ready software systems.
• You demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and apply sound design and implementation judgment within your area of ownership.
• You are nimble and comfortable working within evolving requirements, adapting your approach and breaking down problems to deliver high-quality solutions.
• You take pride in writing clear, maintainable code and maintaining a high bar for quality and craftsmanship.
• You clearly articulate technical decisions and tradeoffs and incorporate feedback thoughtfully into your work.
• You identify risks and edge cases in your work and proactively raise concerns.
• You communicate clearly, efficiently, and thoughtfully. We’re a highly-distributed team, and effective written communication is crucial for everything from Slack to code reviews.

Technologies We Use

• Python3
• TypeScript / React/ Ant Design
• AWS / Terraform
• Docker / Kubernetes
• Elasticsearch / PostgreSQL
• Datadog

Compensation And Benefits

A reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role is $129,000-$178,250/year. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to location; skill sets; experience and training; licensure, and certifications.

Our remote-first work model is structured around working from home most of the time. But, there will be times that employees are expected to travel. For example, Thorn may host company-wide gatherings, and smaller teams may hold in-person meetings and team-building events, or require attendance at specific conferences.

At Thorn, we know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and offer employees a broad range of benefits. Learn more about what working at Thorn can mean for you.

Thorn is strengthened by the wide range of experiences and perspectives on our team. We value the diversity of our professional backgrounds, subject matter expertise, cultures, and perspectives because they help us solve complex problems and serve our mission more effectively. We hire based on merit, qualifications, and organizational need, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Thorn is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. We provide reasonable accommodations to ensure candidates and employees with disabilities can fully participate in the application process, perform essential job functions, and access all the benefits and privileges of employment. If you need an accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail]

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