Staff Software Engineer, Tech Lead, Payroll Onboarding

Toast Tab, Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 168,000 - 309,000; Full time

Job summary

Toast is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to join the Payroll Onboarding team, shaping scalable backend systems that configure Payroll accurately for Toast restaurants. You will lead critical initiatives and collaborate with design, product, and engineering to deliver robust full‑stack solutions.

The role emphasizes architectural influence, production reliability, and mentorship, with a focus on applying cutting‑edge AI tools to improve velocity and quality. Hybrid US position.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of backend experience in Java, Kotlin, or other OO languages.
• Proven track record leading technically complex, multi-team projects.
• Proficient with modern web standards and technologies (React, TypeScript, REST, GraphQL).
• Proficient with traditional databases and alternative data stores.
• Experience with distributed systems, enterprise messaging systems, and/or microservices.
• Experience delivering high-quality, reliable services to production.
• Excellent cross-team communication on complex technical topics.
• Passionate about technology and learning new things.

Responsibilities

• Lead deep technical initiatives that improve functionality and reliability for Toast customers.
• Design solutions anticipating future needs while weighing tradeoffs.
• Participate in architectural discussions and influence the technical roadmap.
• Collaborate with Design, Product, and other engineering teams on robust, scalable full‑stack apps.
• Advocate for best coding practices to raise the bar across the team and company.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to improve engineering productivity.
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate development and explore new approaches.

Skills

Java/Kotlin

Backend leadership

React

TypeScript

REST

GraphQL

Distributed systems

Microservices

Production readiness

Cross-team communication

Tools

React

TypeScript

Job description

Toast creates technology to help restaurants and local businesses succeed in a digital world, helping business owners operate, increase sales, engage customers, and keep employees happy.

We’re not your traditional tech company and we don’t aim to be. Going against the grain* is in our DNA. Building a revolutionary product begins with revolutionary thinking. That’s why we value diversity of background and lived experience. Together, we empower restaurants of all sizes to build great teams, increase revenue, improve operations, and delight their guests. We pair our deep understanding of the restaurant industry with powerful cloud based software and restaurant-grade hardware to deliver an intuitive all-in-one platform. Join us on our mission to empower the restaurant community to delight guests, do what they love, and thrive.

We’re looking for a Staff Software Engineer to join our dynamic Payroll Onboarding team, which supports the Payroll product for Toast restaurants. You’ll play a key roll* in the design, development, and delivery of scalable software solutions that enable restaurant owners to configure Payroll accurately, while empowering internal Toast teams to support go-lives efficiently..

About this roll* (Responsibilities)

• Lead deep technical initiatives that improve functionality and reliability for Toast customers
• Design solutions that anticipate and accommodate future needs while considering tradeoffs

• Participate in architectural discussions and influence the technical roadmap
• Collaborate with teams of Design, Product, and other engineering members in developing robust and scalable full-stack software applications
• Advocate for best coding practices to raise the bar for you, your team, and the company
• Mentor and provide technical guidance, acting as a force multiplier in improving engineering productivity
• Leverage cutting-edge AI tools to enhance your development workflow, improve velocity, and help pioneer new approaches to influence what we build and how we build it

Do you have the right ingredients*? (Requirements)

• 8+ years of back-end experience in Java, Kotlin, or other object-oriented languages
• Proven track record of leading technically complex, multi-team projects
• Proficient with modern web standards and technologies (e.g. React, TypeScript, REST, GraphQL)
• Proficient with traditional databases and alternative data stores
• Experience with distributed systems, enterprise messaging systems, and/or microservices
• Experience delivering high-quality, reliable services to production
• Excellent cross-team communication skills on complex technical topics
• Passionate about technology and learning new things

AI at Toast

At Toast, one of our company values is that we're hungry to build and learn. We believe learning new AI tools empowers us to build for our customers faster, more independently, and with higher quality. We provide these tools across all disciplines, from Engineering and Product to Sales and Support, and are inspired by how our Toasters are already driving real value with them. The people who thrive here are those who embrace changes that let us build more for our customers; it’s a core part of our culture.

Our Total Rewards Philosophy

We strive to provide competitive compensation and benefits programs that help to attract, retain, and motivate the best and brightest people in our industry. Our total rewards package goes beyond great earnings potential and provides the means to a healthy lifestyle with the flexibility to meet Toasters’ changing needs. Learn more about our benefits at https://careers.toasttab.com/toast-benefits.

The base salary range for this role is listed below. The starting salary will be determined based on skills, experience, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, our total rewards components include cash compensation (overtime, bonus/commissions if eligible), equity, and benefits. You can learn more about how we align pay with local labor markets in our Geographic Pay Zone Philosophy.

Zone A

$193,000—$309,000 USD

Zone B

$168,000—$269,000 USD

Zone C

$151,000—$242,000 USD

How Toast Uses AI in its Hiring Process

Throughout the hiring process, our goal is to get to know you. We use AI tools to support our recruiters and interviewers with tasks like note-taking, summarization, and documentation of interviews to ensure they can be fully focused on your conversation. All hiring decisions are made by people. We ask that you complete interviews and assessments on your own, without real-time AI tools, recording, or transcription bots, unless we tell you otherwise in advance. To learn more: https://careers.toasttab.com/ai-in-hiring

Our Approach to Hybrid Working

We embrace a hybrid work model that fosters in-person collaboration while valuing individual needs. Our goal is to build a strong culture of connection as we work together to empower the hospitality community, regardless of location. Please visit the Locations page on our career site to learn more about our in-office expectations by region: https://careers.toasttab.com/locations-toast

People Are the Secret Ingredient in Our Recipe for Success

At Toast, our employees are our secret ingredient—when they thrive, we thrive. The restaurant industry brings together people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and we value that same breadth at Toast. We strive to build a culture grounded in authenticity, respect, and humility, where every Toaster has a real opportunity to grow, contribute, and do their best work—raising the bar in delivering exceptional experiences for our customers and each other.

Toast is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive hiring process. As part of this commitment, we strive to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to enable them to access the hiring process. If you need an accommodation to access the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

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For roles in the United States, it is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.