Software Engineer II, Backend - Platform Team
Rippling · Seattle, WA
- On site
- Full-time
- $152,000 / year
- Seattle, WA
Job highlights
- Design and implement scalable backend services.
- Optimize service performance and data modeling.
- Own feature development lifecycle.
- Collaborate in fast-paced team environments.
- Requires 2+ years backend experience.
About the role
About Rippling
Rippling gives businesses one place to run HR, IT, and Finance. It brings together all of the workforce systems that are normally scattered across a company, like payroll, expenses, benefits, and computers. For the first time ever, you can manage and automate every part of the employee lifecycle in a single system.
Take onboarding, for example. With Rippling, you can hire a new employee anywhere in the world and set up their payroll, corporate card, computer, benefits, and even third-party apps like Slack and Microsoft 365—all within 90 seconds.
Based in San Francisco, CA, Rippling has raised $1.4B+ from the world’s top investors—including Kleiner Perkins, Founders Fund, Sequoia, Greenoaks, and Bedrock—and was named one of America's best startup employers by Forbes.
We prioritize candidate safety. Please be aware that all official communication will only be sent from @Rippling.com addresses.
About The Platform Team
The Platform Engineering team is the invisible engine that powers all of Rippling's integrated products—HR, IT, and Finance. Our mission is to build the core infrastructure, tools, and shared services that allow every other engineering team to ship highly reliable, secure, and globally scalable features with maximum velocity. We manage the foundational components that ensure Rippling's single, unified platform operates efficiently and securely.
Operating as a critical scaled team, we own and operate a variety of mission-critical systems that directly support close to 1,000 engineers building products and internal platforms across Rippling. We deliver the most foundational shared systems inside the Platform organization.
What You Will Do
- Design, implement, and test reliable backend services and APIs that power core product features and business logic at scale.
- Work across key technical domains, including API design, data modeling, event modeling, and optimizing service performance.
- Own the development lifecycle for defined features, from implementation and testing to deployment, monitoring, and support in a production environment.
- Effectively integrate into cross-functional teams, contribute to technical discovery, and rapidly learn from code and system feedback.
What You Will Need
- 2+ years of professional experience as a backend engineer, preferably with Python, Go, or a similar production language, and strong experience with relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL).
- Care about business impact, balancing technical craft with speed and the bottom line to deliver value quickly.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments, demonstrating resilience and agility in the face of changing product needs.
- Excellent skills in communicating complex technical ideas with clarity to enable effective collaboration with peers and stakeholders.
Key skills/competency
- Backend Development
- API Design
- Data Modeling
- Event Modeling
- Service Performance Optimization
- Python
- Go
- PostgreSQL
- Scalability
- Reliability
Skills & topics
- Software Engineer
- Backend Engineer
- Platform Engineering
- API Design
- Data Modeling
- Python
- Go
- PostgreSQL
- Scalability
- Reliability
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight backend experience with Python, Go, and PostgreSQL. Quantify impact and business results.
- Showcase collaboration: Emphasize your ability to communicate complex technical ideas and work in dynamic teams.
- Demonstrate agility: Provide examples of thriving in fast-paced environments and adapting to changing needs.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Brush up on API design, data modeling, and performance optimization for backend systems.
- Research Rippling's mission: Understand how the Platform team supports HR, IT, and Finance solutions.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary focus of the Platform Engineering team at Rippling for a Software Engineer II Backend role?
- The Platform Engineering team at Rippling focuses on building and maintaining the core infrastructure, tools, and shared services that enable other engineering teams to develop reliable, secure, and scalable features rapidly. As a Software Engineer II Backend, you'll be instrumental in designing and implementing these foundational systems.
- What programming languages and databases are preferred for the Software Engineer II Backend position at Rippling?
- Rippling prefers candidates with professional backend experience, particularly in languages like Python or Go, and strong experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL. Proficiency in these technologies is key for success in this role.
- How does Rippling emphasize candidate safety during the application process for Software Engineer II Backend roles?
- Rippling prioritizes candidate safety by ensuring all official communication is sent exclusively from @Rippling.com email addresses. This measure helps protect applicants from potential scams and ensures legitimacy.
- What are the opportunities for learning and growth in the Software Engineer II Backend role at Rippling?
- As a Software Engineer II Backend on the Platform team, you will work across key technical domains like API design, data modeling, and performance optimization. You'll have opportunities to rapidly learn from code and system feedback within a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
- What is the expected in-office policy for the Software Engineer II Backend role at Rippling?
- Rippling highly values in-office collaboration and company culture. For office-based employees, including this Software Engineer II Backend role, working in the office at least three days a week is considered an essential function of the role.
- What is the salary range for the Software Engineer II Backend position at Rippling in US Tier 1 locations?
- The annual salary range for the Software Engineer II Backend role in US Tier 1 locations at Rippling is $152,000 to $225,000 USD, plus competitive benefits and equity. Final compensation depends on factors like experience and location.