Software Developer, Backend Ads

TextNow; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 148,700 - 298,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free phone service

Employee stock options

Unlimited vacation

Health, dental, and vision benefits

Job summary

TextNow is seeking an experienced Software Engineer for its San Francisco office. You will build scalable backend services that power core TextNow experiences for millions of users. You'll collaborate with a team of builders and problem-solvers focused on delivering customer-driven solutions.

The ideal candidate has over 4 years of experience, strong technical skills, and a collaborative mindset.

TextNow offers competitive salaries, benefits like unlimited vacation, and a commitment to work-life balance.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in a product-focused software engineering environment.
• Ability to independently drive projects and manage ambiguity.
• Strong understanding of databases, APIs, and backend architectures.
• Interest in AI, automation, and emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

• Build scalable backend services and APIs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver solutions.
• Contribute to architecture and long-term platform strategy.
• Identify and resolve performance and scalability challenges.

Skills

Professional software engineering experience

Strong computer science fundamentals

Proficiency in modern programming languages

Experience building distributed systems

Strong communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Familiarity with cloud infrastructure

Interest in AI and automation

Job description

TextNow is building the future of communication. As one of the largest providers of free phone service in North America, we're connecting millions of people through affordable, accessible wireless and messaging experiences. Our mission is to help people stay connected regardless of their financial circumstances.

Our products sit at the intersection of telecommunications, mobile technology, advertising, AI, and consumer software. Every day, millions of customers rely on TextNow to communicate with family, friends, businesses, and essential services. We invest in the platforms, tools, and technologies that power those experiences at scale.

We are a collaborative team of builders, problem‑solvers, and product‑minded engineers who care deeply about customer impact. We value ownership, pragmatic decision‑making, data‑informed thinking, and moving quickly without sacrificing quality.

What You'll Do

• Build scalable backend services, APIs, and platform capabilities that power core TextNow experiences for millions of users
• Partner with Product Managers, Designers, Data Scientists, and Engineers to deliver reliable, customer‑focused solutions
• Contribute to architecture, technical design, and long‑term platform strategy
• Use data, experimentation, and customer insights to improve product outcomes and operational efficiency
• Help define and implement engineering best practices across the organization
• Participate in design reviews, code reviews, and technical discussions
• Identify and resolve performance, reliability, and scalability challenges
• Leverage AI tools and emerging technologies to accelerate development and improve customer experiences
• Work with our Ad Ops team to develop new ad solutions to provide increasing value to advertisers
• Collaborate with our Product team to ensure a high‑quality user experience around our ads
• Debug performance issues with ad units and work with ad providers to resolve them
• Implement improvements to the ads code architecture

Who You Are

• 4+ years of professional software engineering experience in a product‑focused environment
• Demonstrated ownership and the ability to independently drive projects through ambiguity
• Strong computer science fundamentals, including data structures, algorithms, and software design principles
• Experience building and operating distributed systems and cloud‑based applications at scale
• Strong understanding of databases, APIs, and modern backend architectures
• Proficiency in one or more modern programming languages, with the ability to learn new technologies quickly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Collaborative mindset with a passion for mentoring, learning, and building high‑quality software
• Experience working in fast‑moving startup or growth‑stage environments
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, automation, observability, and modern development practices
• Interest in AI, automation, and emerging technologies that improve how teams build and operate software

Base Salary Range

United States (NYC, CT, NJ, Seattle, LA, San Diego): $136,300 - $273,900

United States (San Francisco / Bay Area): $148,700 - $298,800

United States (All other areas not listed above): $123,900 - $249,000

Our goal is to offer a competitive package that reflects the impact and expertise you bring to the team.

Benefits

• Free phone service
• Strong work‑life blend
• Employee stock options
• Unlimited vacation
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Competitive pay
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Short‑term & long‑term disability
• Annual wellness benefit or healthcare spending account
• RRSP matching (Canada)
• Parental leave for eligible employees
• Learning & Development opportunities
• Company‑wide off‑sites and team events

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the hiring process may contact our Talent Team.

By submitting an application to TextNow, you agree to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with the TextNow Candidate Policy.