Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Search)

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 204,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Tech setup stipends

Flexible time off

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

Ladders seeks a Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Search) to shape the backend strategy for a search-focused engineering team. You will align with product peers to drive scalable, reliable delivery across core platform components and mentor the team.

This remote US role emphasizes long-term health and high-quality systems. Expect leadership in standards, operational readiness, and mentorship for engineers working with Python or Kotlin, AWS, MySQL, Spark and Kubernetes.

Qualifications

• 8+ years designing and launching backend systems.
• Experience building highly available distributed systems.
• Proficiency with Python or Kotlin.
• Experience with AWS, MySQL, Spark, and Kubernetes.
• Frontend experience with React is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Set technical strategy for the team over a year-long timeline.
• Collaborate across product teams to manage sustainability and risks.
• Define and advocate for scalable technical solutions.
• Ensure operations and availability via monitoring and policies.
• Set code review and design standards to drive quality.
• Develop team talent through feedback and guidance.
• Lead by example in technical discussions and docs.

Skills

Python/Kotlin backend

Distributed systems

Leadership/mentorship

Code quality & reviews

React frontend

Tools

AWS

MySQL

Spark

Kubernetes

React

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Staff Software Engineer, Backend (Search) to join the team of a leader in the Finance & Insurance space.

This role will shape backend technical strategy for a search-focused engineering team, with an emphasis on long-term system health, scalability, and reliable execution. You will partner closely with product and engineering peers to guide architectural decisions, manage technical risk, and drive high-quality delivery across critical platform components. The position also calls for strong technical leadership, including setting standards, improving operational readiness, and helping the team grow through mentorship and clear communication.

Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $204,000 – $290,000 annually

Responsibilities

• Set technical strategy for the team over a year-long timeline
• Collaborate across product development teams to manage technical sustainability and risks
• Act as a force-multiplier by defining and advocating for technical solutions
• Ensure team operations and availability through effective monitoring and policies
• Foster a culture of quality by setting code review and design standards
• Develop talent on the team through feedback and guidance
• Lead by example in technical discussions and documentation

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in designing and launching backend systems using Python or Kotlin
• Proven track record developing highly available distributed systems with AWS, MySQL, Spark, and Kubernetes
• Experience with UI frameworks like React for consumer experiences
• 2+ years in search or recommendation engines
• Ability to deliver major features and system components with clear technical execution plans
• Comfortable navigating from low-level language idioms to large system architecture
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration

Benefits

• 100% subsidized medical coverage for employees and their dependents
• Monthly stipends for tech setup and health/wellness options
• Flexible time off and generous holiday calendars
• Employee stock purchase plan allowing purchase of company stock at a discount

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.