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Staff Backend Engineer Developer Experience

GitLab

HybridHybrid

Original Job Summary

Overview

GitLab is an open-core software company that develops an AI-powered DevSecOps Platform used by over 100,000 organizations. Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and co-create software powering our world.

Role Summary

As a Staff Backend Engineer in the Developer Experience group at GitLab, you will work cross-functionally to identify and improve the engineering experience. Your responsibilities include hands-on coding (using Ruby and Go), designing scalable solutions, and driving a cohesive Developer Experience Platform strategy.

Key Responsibilities

  • Drive technical excellence by contributing and providing leadership across six distributed Developer Experience teams.
  • Champion engineering needs, gather feedback, and translate frustrations into actionable improvements.
  • Transform testing practices by modernizing tools that support GitLab's growth.
  • Optimize CI/CD pipelines to reduce merge friction and deliver fast feedback.
  • Collaborate with multiple teams to eliminate systemic bottlenecks.
  • Shape and nurture a culture of continuous learning, inclusion, and improvement.

Required Skills & Experience

  • Deep experience with developer tooling, DevEx strategies, and testing frameworks at scale.
  • Experience leading platform or transformation initiatives across teams.
  • Ability to influence without authority and collaborate across functions.
  • Familiarity with DevOps workflows and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in a remote-first environment.
  • A product mindset and strong alignment with GitLab values including collaboration, iteration, and transparency.

Benefits

GitLab offers benefits supporting health, finances, and well-being including remote work, flexible paid time off, equity compensation, and growth opportunities.

Key Skills/Competency

  • Backend Engineering
  • Developer Experience
  • Ruby
  • Go
  • DevSecOps
  • CI/CD
  • Testing Frameworks
  • Technical Leadership
  • Collaboration
  • Remote Work

How to Get Hired at GitLab

🎯 Tips for Getting Hired

  • Customize your resume: Tailor experiences to backend engineering expertise.
  • Highlight technical skills: Emphasize Ruby, Go, and CI/CD accomplishments.
  • Research GitLab: Understand their mission and remote culture.
  • Prepare examples: Showcase projects that improved developer experience.

📝 Interview Preparation Advice

Technical Preparation

Review Ruby and Go fundamentals.
Practice CI/CD pipeline optimization.
Study scalable system design.
Revisit testing frameworks and DevOps.

Behavioral Questions

Describe a challenging project conflict resolved.
Explain collaboration across remote teams.
Share an experience of driving change.
Discuss handling feedback in engineering.