Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby on Rails), Plan: Knowledge
GitLab · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $140,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Shape knowledge planning and documentation in GitLab.
- Build backend systems for Wiki, Pages, and editors.
- Design AI-powered capabilities and integrations.
- Collaborate on scalable, reliable systems.
- Mentor engineers and improve engineering standards.
About the role
About GitLab
GitLab is the intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps. GitLab enables organizations to increase developer productivity, improve operational efficiency, reduce security and compliance risk, and accelerate digital transformation. More than 50 million registered users and more than 50% of the Fortune 100* trust GitLab to ship better, more secure software faster.The same principles built into our products are reflected in how our team works: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier, with all team members expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact. GitLab is where careers accelerate, innovation flourishes, and every voice is valued. Our high-performance culture is driven by our values and continuous knowledge exchange, enabling our team members to reach their full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex problems. Co-create the future with us as we build technology that transforms how the world develops software.
*Fortune 500® is a registered trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, used under license. Claim based on GitLab data. Fortune 100 refers to the top 20% ranked companies in the 2025 Fortune 500 list, published in June 2025. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of GitLab.
An overview of this role
As a Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby on Rails) on the Plan: Knowledge group, you'll help shape how teams plan, document, and share knowledge in GitLab. You'll build and improve the backend systems behind Wiki, Pages, Markdown, and text editors, while also helping design AI-powered capabilities such as the planner agent and Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations that connect GitLab's GraphQL APIs with external tools. In this role, you'll work closely with frontend engineers, Product, UX, and Security to create reliable, scalable systems that support both technical and non-technical users across GitLab's planning experience. As part of GitLab's AI-first culture, you'll also use the Duo Agent Platform in your daily workflow to improve productivity and support faster iteration.Some Examples Of Our Projects
- Building AI agents such as the planner agent to support planning and knowledge management workflows
- Architecting MCP integrations that expose GitLab GraphQL APIs to external AI tools and platforms
What you'll do
- Lead backend architecture for Wiki, Pages, Markdown, and text editor capabilities used across GitLab.
- Design and build AI agents that support planning and knowledge management workflows.
- Architect MCP integrations that connect GitLab GraphQL APIs with external AI platforms and tools.
- Drive improvements in reliability and performance across application code, PostgreSQL queries, Redis usage, and background jobs.
- Develop and evolve GraphQL APIs that are clear for frontend engineers and support scalable product experiences.
- Collaborate with frontend engineers, Product, UX, and Security to break down complex work into shippable iterations.
- Mentor engineers through code review, technical discussions, and shared backend best practices.
- Support incident response and production debugging, then turn learnings into lasting system improvements.
What you'll bring
- Strong experience building and maintaining backend applications with Ruby on Rails, including core components such as ActiveRecord and Redis.
- Experience designing and supporting GraphQL APIs with attention to usability, maintainability, and performance.
- Knowledge of PostgreSQL query design, optimization, and scaling in high-traffic production systems.
- Experience building or integrating AI agents, intelligent workflows, or related platform capabilities.
- Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP) or similar patterns for connecting APIs to external tools and platforms.
- Ability to investigate production issues, debug complex systems, and improve reliability over time.
- Experience leading technical decisions, mentoring engineers, and contributing to engineering standards across a team.
- Clear communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with openness to candidates who bring transferable experience from adjacent backend or platform work.
About The Team
The Plan: Knowledge group owns core knowledge management experiences in GitLab, including Wiki, Pages, Markdown, and Text Editors, and is expanding those foundations with AI-powered capabilities such as the planner agent and MCP-based integrations. The team includes 6 engineers and works with a Product Manager, Engineering Manager, Product Designer, and Technical Writer. Like many teams at GitLab, they collaborate asynchronously across regions and work closely with the broader Plan stage to solve backend scale, editing experience, and AI integration challenges in one shared platform. For more on the team's direction, see the Plan: Knowledge Direction Page.How GitLab Supports Full-Time Employees
- Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being
- Flexible Paid Time Off
- Team Member Resource Groups
- Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Growth and Development Fund
- Parental Leave
Please note that we welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.
Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process.
Privacy Policy: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us.
GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.
Key skills/competency
- Senior Backend Engineer
- Ruby on Rails
- GraphQL
- PostgreSQL
- AI Agents
- Knowledge Management
- DevSecOps
- Software Architecture
- System Reliability
- Mentorship
Skills & topics
- Senior Backend Engineer
- Ruby on Rails
- GraphQL
- PostgreSQL
- AI
- DevOps
- Software Development
- Engineering
- Backend Development
- Knowledge Management
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight Ruby on Rails, GraphQL, PostgreSQL, and AI integration experience.
- Showcase leadership: Emphasize experience in backend architecture and mentoring other engineers.
- Quantify achievements: Use data to demonstrate impact on reliability and performance.
- Address collaboration: Detail cross-functional teamwork with Product, UX, and Security.
- Highlight AI skills: Mention experience with AI agents or intelligent workflows.
Technical preparation
Master Ruby on Rails and its core components.,Practice designing efficient GraphQL APIs.,Optimize PostgreSQL queries for performance.,Build or integrate AI agent examples.
Behavioral questions
Describe leading a complex backend project.,How do you mentor junior engineers?,Share an example of improving system reliability.,How do you collaborate with non-technical teams?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary focus of the Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby on Rails) role at GitLab?
- The Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby on Rails) role at GitLab focuses on enhancing the Plan: Knowledge group's backend systems, specifically for Wiki, Pages, Markdown, and text editors. This includes developing AI-powered capabilities and integrating with external tools via GraphQL APIs.
- What specific technologies are essential for the Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby on Rails) position at GitLab?
- Essential technologies for this role include strong experience with Ruby on Rails (including ActiveRecord and Redis), designing and supporting GraphQL APIs, and knowledge of PostgreSQL query optimization. Familiarity with AI agents or MCP patterns is also highly valued.
- How does GitLab foster career growth for its Senior Backend Engineers?
- GitLab supports career growth through opportunities for leading technical decisions, mentoring junior engineers, contributing to engineering standards, and working on challenging problems within a high-performance culture. They also offer a Growth and Development Fund.
- What is the work arrangement for the Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby on Rails) role at GitLab?
- All roles at GitLab are remote. While specific location-based eligibility requirements may apply to some roles, the company hires globally and offers flexibility for remote work.
- How does GitLab incorporate AI into its engineering practices for this role?
- GitLab has an AI-first culture. Team members are expected to use AI, such as the Duo Agent Platform, in their daily workflows to boost productivity and support faster iteration, directly impacting how they build and improve features.
- What kind of projects can a Senior Backend Engineer expect to work on in the Plan: Knowledge group?
- Projects include leading backend architecture for core features like Wiki and Pages, designing AI agents for planning workflows, and architecting integrations (MCP) that connect GitLab's GraphQL APIs with external AI platforms.
- What does GitLab look for in candidates for the Senior Backend Engineer position?
- GitLab seeks candidates with strong backend experience in Ruby on Rails and GraphQL, proficiency in PostgreSQL optimization, and a demonstrated ability to lead technical decisions and mentor others. They value clear communication and cross-functional collaboration, welcoming transferable experience.