Senior Staff Platform Engineer, AI & Distributed Systems

Rippling; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 260,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

Rippling is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to shape the future of its platform and AI infrastructure. You will define architecture across core platform services, drive scalable systems, and influence hundreds of engineers working on HR, IT, and FinTech products.

You will lead cross‑functional initiatives, mentor engineers, and ensure secure, reliable data interactions across live business data, workflows, and permissions. This is a deeply technical leadership role at scale.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience at senior levels.
• Deep expertise designing, building, and operating large-scale distributed systems.
• Experience building platform infrastructure or shared services.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives across large teams.
• Strong architectural judgment and scalable system design experience.
• Experience with Python, Go, Java, or similar backend languages.
• Strong CS fundamentals: distributed systems, concurrency, data modeling, networking.
• Experience in fast-paced, high-growth environments with ambiguity.
• Exceptional communication and influence across engineers and leaders.
• Product mindset with a focus on enabling developers and customers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior technical leader within Rippling's engineering organization.
• Define and drive long-term architecture of core platform systems powering products and engineers.
• Design scalable, reliable distributed systems as foundational blocks across the company.
• Lead cross-organizational initiatives spanning multiple teams and domains.
• Translate ambiguous requirements into durable technical solutions.
• Drive architectural decisions shaping Rippling's platform and AI infrastructure.
• Partner with senior leaders to shape platform strategy and direction.
• Build infrastructure enabling AI systems to securely interact with live data and systems.
• Develop core platform primitives to accelerate product development.
• Raise engineering bar via reviews, mentorship and operational excellence.
• Act as the DRI for critical technical initiatives.

Skills

Distributed systems

Platform infrastructure

Technical leadership

Architectural judgment

Backend systems

Python/Go/Java

CS fundamentals

High-growth environments

Communication skills

Product mindset

AI in enterprise

Job description

Rippling is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer to shape the future of its platform and AI infrastructure. You will define architecture across core platform services, drive scalable systems, and influence hundreds of engineers working on HR, IT, and FinTech products.

You will lead cross‑functional initiatives, mentor engineers, and ensure secure, reliable data interactions across live business data, workflows, and permissions. This is a deeply technical leadership role at scale.