Staff Software Engineer, Backend

Doordashusa; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 130,600 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

DoorDash is seeking a Staff Backend Engineer to build and maintain a large-scale global infrastructure powering our 3-sided marketplace. You’ll own backend services, be part of cross-functional teams, and help shape architecture and roadmaps.

You’ll work on migrating to microservices, improving performance and security, and mentoring peers in a hybrid role with in-office time. Compensation includes equity and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• B.S., M.S., or PhD in Computer Science or equivalent.
• 8+ years of industry experience.
• Experience with service oriented architecture and REST APIs.
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases (Postgres, Redis, Elasticsearch, RabbitMQ).

Responsibilities

• Develop, release and run large-scale web applications.
• Define backend architecture and tech stack for a product area.
• Improve performance, reliability, scalability, and security for backend systems.
• Transition monolithic codebase to a microservice-based architecture.
• Mentor junior to mid-level peers and influence roadmaps.

Skills

Backend engineering

AI coding tools

REST APIs

System architecture

Performance optimization

SQL/NoSQL

Unit testing

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Postgres

Redis

Elasticsearch

RabbitMQ

Job description

About the Team

DoorDash is building the world's most reliable on-demand, logistics engine for delivery. We are continuing to grow rapidly and expanding our Engineering offices globally! We are looking for Staff Backend Engineers to build and maintain a large scale 24x7 global infrastructure system that powers DoorDash's 3-sided marketplace of Consumers, Merchants and Dashers.

About the Role

We’re looking for Staff Backend Engineers to work on both Product and Product Platform based teams. Product focused Engineers work at the intersection of product and infrastructure to solve key business problems with elegant technical solutions. You’ll operate our backend services and architecture that support all product functionality and will be challenged to consider the big picture -- collaborating cross-functionally, as well as evaluating and executing on trade-offs to maximize business impact for the company. We expect Staff Engineers to be able to run cross-functional projects end to end, mentor their junior to mid level peers and influence our technical roadmaps.

This role is hybrid with some in-office time expected and will report to an Engineering Manager.

You're excited about this opportunity because you will…

• Develop, release and run large-scale web applications
• Develop and define the backend architecture and tech stack for a product area
• Improve performance, reliability, scalability and security for our backend systems
• Be involved in transitioning our monolithic codebase to a microservice-based architecture
• Completely disrupt logistics by tackling bleeding-edge, technical problems

We're excited about you because you have…

• B.S., M.S., or PhD. in Computer Science or equivalent
• 8+ years of industry experience
• Proficiency in using AI coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, Codex, Cursor) in the full software development lifecycle, including designing, generating code, testing, monitoring and releasing software
• Prior experience working with backend tech stacks
• Ability to analyze and improve efficiency, scalability, and stability of various system resources
• Experience with service oriented architecture, writing REST API’s, unit testing, and architectural design
• Understanding of modern web stacks and architecture (HTTP, REST)
• Experience with SQL and NoSQL databases and other technologies (e.g. Postgres, Redis, Elasticsearch, RabbitMQ)

Compensation

The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the pay range listed below and is determined based on job-related factors including, but not limited to, skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. Base salary is localized according to an employee’s work location. Ranges are market-dependent and may be modified in the future.

In addition to base salary, the compensation for this role includes opportunities for equity grants. Talk to your recruiter for more information.

DoorDash cares about you and your overall well-being. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, which includes a 401(k) plan with employer matching, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, wellness benefits, commuter benefits match, paid time off and paid sick leave in compliance with applicable laws (e.g. Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act). DoorDash also offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, 11 paid holidays, disability and basic life insurance, family-forming assistance, and a mental health program, among others.

To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page here.

See below for paid time off details:

• For salaried roles: flexible paid time off/vacation, plus 80 hours of paid sick time per year.
• For hourly roles: vacation accrued at about 1 hour for every 25.97 hours worked (e.g. about 6.7 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 3.4 hours/month if working 20 hours/week), and paid sick time accrued at 1 hour for every 30 hours worked (e.g. about 5.8 hours/month if working 40 hours/week; about 2.9 hours/month if working 20 hours/week).

The national base pay ranges for this position within the United States, including Illinois and Colorado.

• $130,600 — $192,000 USD
• $159,800 — $235,000 USD
• $193,800 — $285,000 USD

About DoorDash

At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.

DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees’ happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That’s why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.

Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on “protected categories,” we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.

If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.