Sr. Software Engineer (Back End)

Wonder; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

401(k)

Medical plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

Paid time off

Vacation days

Sick leave

Discounted meals

Job summary

Wonder is seeking a product-minded Senior Software Engineer to join our backend team in Boston. You will build the brains of our automated restaurants using Elixir and Phoenix, connecting cloud infrastructure with on-site robotics and frontend applications.

You’ll design scalable, real-time systems and mentor peers, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-impact features. You will work closely with Elixir, Postgres, WebSocket, and containerized services, shaping infrastructure

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience building highly concurrent, distributed systems and shipping them to production.
• Proficiency in Elixir and the Phoenix framework (or significant experience in other functional languages with a desire to master Elixir).
• Proficiency with PostgreSQL and relational database design.
• Experience designing, building, and consuming WebSocket events, REST APIs, webhooks, and other message-based systems.
• Experience designing and deploying infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code. We use Terraform.

Responsibilities

• Orchestrate the Kitchen: Design and implement stateful solutions across distributed systems, ensuring zero data loss in mission-critical workflows.
• Bridge Cloud and Hardware: Design infrastructure spanning cloud and on-prem resources, including event-driven architectures, Postgres, WebSocket, and containerized apps.
• Produce High Quality Software: Uphold reliability, implement review/testing procedures, manage releases, and monitor performance.
• Guide Technical Outcomes: Plan feature development with product requirements, assess tradeoffs, and specify tasks needed to complete a project.
• Improve Processes: Automate repetitive tasks and adopt learn-forward practices.
• Communicate Effectively: Write specs, document gaps, and incorporate feedback.

Skills

Distributed systems

Elixir

Architecture design

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science

Tools

PostgreSQL

WebSocket

REST APIs

Terraform

Job description

Within Wonder, the Robotics team is a core pillar of our innovation strategy. We build the automation solutions that help make Wonder’s ‘no-compromise’ promise possible at scale. Our mission is to use robotics to enable incredible variety and culinary authenticity. By reimagining the kitchen environment, we improve the daily experience of our team members and ensure every customer receives a perfect meal, every time.

The best in the business are coming to Wonder, working every day to make us the destination for every mealtime moment. Join a team of technology, culinary, and logistics pioneers, backed by top-tier venture capitalists, and help us make great food more accessible.

About The Opportunity

We’re looking for a product-minded Senior Software Engineer to join our backend team to build the brains of our automated restaurants and the foundation upon which our robotic systems rely. In this role, you will help design and implement the expansion of our current systems to accommodate new robotic solutions while maintaining the reliability and performance of our live production restaurants.

You will work primarily with Elixir and the Phoenix framework to construct real-time distributed systems that serve as critical facilitators between our cloud-based infrastructure, on-site robotic hardware, frontend applications, and the rest of Wonder software. You will partner with cross-functional teams to design and deploy high-impact features, help guide technical discussions, and mentor other engineers.

The Impact You Will Make

• Orchestrate the Kitchen: Design and implement solutions that manage complex state across multiple distributed systems and guarantee zero data loss in mission-critical workflows, particularly around order fulfillment, robotic communication and human-machine interaction.
• Bridge Cloud and Hardware: Design new infrastructure that spans the cloud and on-premise resources, including event-driven architectures, Postgres databases, WebSocket protocols, and containerized applications.
• Produce High Quality Software: Uphold reliability, advocate for iterative review and testing procedures, manage the release process, and continue to monitor performance.
• Guide Technical Outcomes: Plan how to build new features by considering product requirements, assessing tradeoffs and collaborating with peers, and specify the tasks needed to complete a project.
• Improve Processes: bring industry-best practices to the team, automate repetitive tasks, and have a learn-forward attitude.
• Communicate Effectively: Write thorough and clear specs, fill gaps in documentation, and provide, seek and incorporate feedback.

What You Bring to the Table

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience building highly concurrent, distributed systems and shipping them to production.
• Strong system design skills, a product-focused mindset, and a track record of owning features end-to-end.
• Proficiency in Elixir and the Phoenix framework (or significant experience in other functional languages with a desire to master Elixir).
• Proficiency with PostgreSQL and relational database design.
• Experience designing, building, and consuming WebSocket events, REST APIs, webhooks, and other message-based systems.
• Experience designing and deploying infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code. We use Terraform.
• A pragmatic approach to problem solving and the ability to troubleshoot complex technical obstacles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to facilitate technical discussions with product, design, and operations partners.

This role requires a minimum of 3 days a week in the office, with additional days as needed based on project demands.

This role is based in our Boston office in Charlestown, MA.

Boston: $176,000 - $183,500

Wonder uses geographic-specific salary structures, which means the salary offered may vary depending on where the job is located. The final salary offer will take into account various factors, such as the candidate’s skills, education, training, credentials, and experience.

Benefits

The benefits applicable to this role include a competitive compensation package with equity and a 401(k). We also offer a choice of medical, dental, and vision plans, company paid short and long term disability coverage, paid time off including flexible time off for exempt employees, paid vacation for non-exempt employees, and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable law in addition to paid parental leave, discounted meals and exclusive perks across the Wonder family of brands.

Eligibility, effective dates, and available plan options vary by employment classification and location. To learn more about benefits for this role, visit our Careers page here.

A Final Note

At Wonder, we build the best teams by hiring with an objective lens — evaluating people for their potential while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, marital status, disability, or any other protected class. As part of our commitment to fair and compliant hiring practices, Wonder participates in the federal government’s E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If you need an accommodation during the interview process, please let your recruiter know.