Software Engineer III, Backend - Recommendations Infrastructure

Tinder; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Vacation

Comprehensive health, vision, and dental coverage

100% paid parental leave

Free subscription to Tinder Gold

Job summary

A leading dating application in Los Angeles is seeking a skilled developer to join its Recs Infrastructure team. The role involves designing scalable services that enhance the recommendation systems driving user connections. Candidates should have solid backend experience with languages like Java or C++, along with a strong computer science background. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on user engagement. Enjoy flexible vacation, comprehensive health benefits, and a supportive work culture.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of industry work experience is required.
• Strong competencies in data structures, algorithms, and coding.
• Experience with cloud computing systems such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and operate scalable distributed services on Kubernetes or ECS.
• Collaborate with functional teams on service platform expansion.
• Influence team roadmap and product development.

Skills

Excellent knowledge and experience with a backend language

Strong designing and building distributed backend systems

Excellent knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals

Passion for tackling engineering problems

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

AWS

Docker

Elasticsearch

Job description

Launched in 2012, Tinder® revolutionized how people meet, growing from 1 match to one billion matches in just two years. This rapid growth demonstrates its ability to fulfill a fundamental human need: real connection. Today, the app has been downloaded over 630 million times, leading to over 97 billion matches, serving approximately 50 million users per month in 190 countries and 45+ languages - a scale unmatched by any other app in the category. In 2024, Tinder won four Effie Awards for its first‑ever global brand campaign, “It Starts with a Swipe”™

Our Values

One Team, One Dream

We work hand‑in‑hand, building Tinder for our members. We succeed together when we work collaboratively across functions, teams, and time zones, and think outside the box to achieve our company vision and mission.

Own It

We take accountability and strive to make a positive impact in all aspects of our business, through ownership, innovation, and a commitment to excellence. We cultivate a culture where it’s safe to take risks. We seek out input, share honest feedback, celebrate our wins, and learn from our mistakes in order to continue improving.

Never Stop Learning

We cultivate a culture where it’s safe to take risks. We seek out input, share honest feedback, celebrate our wins, and learn from our mistakes in order to continue improving.

Spark Solutions

We’re problem solvers, focusing on how to best move forward when faced with obstacles. We don’t dwell on the past or on the issues at hand, but instead look at how to stay agile and overcome hurdles to achieve our goals.

Embrace Our Differences

We are intentional about building a workplace that reflects the rich diversity of our members. By leveraging different perspectives and other ways of thinking, we build better experiences for our members and our team.

Join Tinder’s Recs Infrastructure team to build the backbone of our recommendation systems that power connections for millions of users daily. You’ll work on cutting‑edge deep learning model serving technologies (e.g. NVIDIA Triton, RayServe, etc.), multi‑phase ranking infrastructure, and Elasticsearch‑based retrieval systems. This role directly impacts Tinder’s core matching experience - your work on scalable, performant, low‑latency retrieval and ranking infrastructure will drive user retention and engagement. If you’re passionate about recommender systems, recommendation infrastructure at scale, and want to see your work impact millions of real relationships, this is an exceptional opportunity.

In this role you will:

• Design, develop and operate scalable and resilient distributed services that run on Kubernetes or ECS
• Collaborate with various functional teams across Tinder on the expansion of our service platform
• Influence the team roadmap and product development
• Recruit, encourage, and develop other team members

You’ll need:

• Excellent knowledge and experience with a backend language like Java, Node.js, Go, C++
• BS/MS in Computer Science or an equivalent field with 2+ years of industry work experience
• Excellent knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals with strong competencies in data structures, algorithms, and coding
• Strong designing and building distributed backend systems handling high volumes of traffic
• Experience in handling ambiguous business requirements with excellent prioritization, time management abilities, and a focus on execution
• Passion to tackle exciting engineering problems and make continuous improvements

Nice to have:

• Experience with cloud computing systems such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
• Experience in design and development using NoSQL, such as DynamoDB or Cassandra
• Experience with Redis, ElasticSearch, Kafka, and SparkExperience with Typescript
• Agile development methodology and CI/CD
• Experience with Docker containers

As A full‑time employee you will enjoy:

• Flexible Vacation, 10 Sick Days
• Time off to volunteer and charitable donations matched up to $15,000 annually
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental coverage
• 100% 401(k) employer match up to 10%, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• 100% paid parental leave (including for non‑birthing parents) and family forming benefits
• Investment in your development: mentorship through our MentorMatch program, access to 6,000+ online courses through Udemy, and an annual $3,000 stipend for your professional development
• Investment in your wellness: access to mental health support via Modern Health, paid concierge medical membership, pet insurance, fitness membership subsidy, and commuter subsidy
• Free subscription to Tinder Gold

Commitment to Inclusion

At Tinder, we don’t just accept difference, we celebrate it. We strive to build a workplace that reflects the rich diversity of our members around the world, and we value unique perspectives and backgrounds. Even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications, we invite you to apply and show us how your skills could transfer. Tinder is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace where we welcome people of all sexes, gender identities, races, ethnicities, disabilities, and other lived experiences. Learn more here: https://www.lifeattinder.com/dei

If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre‑employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please speak to your Talent Acquisition Partner directly.

The salary range for this position is $160,000 - $180,000. Factors such as scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, job‑related skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations may influence base pay offered. This salary range is reflective of a position based in Palo Alto, CA. This salary will be subject to a geographic adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting.