Software engineer (Madrid)
WeTransfer · Spain
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- €147,000 / year
- Spain
Job highlights
- Build scalable systems used by millions.
- Integrate AI into development workflows.
- Work with diverse technologies end-to-end.
- Shape culture in new Madrid office.
- Exceptional career growth and impact.
About the role
About WeTransfer and Bending Spoons
WeTransfer, now part of Bending Spoons, empowers millions to share ideas and collaborate. As a key player in a portfolio of innovative digital businesses, you'll join the broader Bending Spoons team, potentially working on WeTransfer or other leading products. We foster a high-performing, collaborative environment focused on innovation and operational excellence, aiming to build an all-time great company that serves customers, develops talent, operates effectively, and creates significant value. We acquire and operate digital businesses for the long term, integrating AI deeply into our workflows. Working here offers exceptional learning, impact, and career progression.New Madrid Office - Shape the Future
As one of the first hires in our new Madrid office, you will play a crucial role in shaping its culture, energy, and work standards. You'll be part of an integrated global team, contributing to a Madrid environment that mirrors our company-wide ambition and high standards.Key Responsibilities
- Build impactful systems used by millions, taking full ownership from concept to production and scaling them into successful products.
- Amplify your development workflow with cutting-edge AI tools for design, implementation, testing, and documentation, ensuring speed and high standards.
- Master a diverse tech stack across monoliths, microservices, gRPC, REST, Kubernetes, Docker, Python, and Rust, selecting the best technologies for each challenge.
- Relentlessly simplify architectures, pipelines, and codebases to create systems that are more scalable and easier to maintain.
What We Look For
- Reasoning Ability: Solve complex problems with sharp, first-principles thinking, avoiding biases and focusing on critical details.
- Drive: Exhibit intense ambition, initiative, effort, and tenacity, with a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to high standards.
- Team Spirit: Be a generous, supportive, and transparent team member who champions the best ideas and readily assists colleagues.
- English Proficiency: Communicate effectively in reading, writing, and speaking English.
What We Offer
- Talented Teams: Collaborate in small, autonomous, results-oriented teams with exceptionally bright individuals.
- Growth Opportunities: Benefit from an environment designed for rapid learning and career advancement, with opportunities to lead major projects early on.
- Competitive Compensation: Receive competitive pay and equity. For example, typical starting salaries are around €66,065 in Europe (excluding London), with experienced candidates potentially earning between €107,837 and €188,848. Compensation is tailored to location, impact, and experience. Equity participation and potential tax benefits (e.g., 50% cut in Italy) are available.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, remote working options, unlimited learning and training support, top-tier health insurance, relocation assistance, generous parental support, and annual retreats.
- Flexible Start & Part-Time: Options for flexible start dates and part-time roles are available, accommodating students transitioning to full-time work.
Commitment & Contract
- Type: Permanent or fixed-term
- Schedule: Full-time
Location
- Madrid, Spain
The Selection Process
We prioritize verifiable excellence over traditional seniority. Don't hesitate to apply if you believe you can excel. The process includes challenging tests that may take several hours. We maintain high standards and only extend offers to the right candidates, which may lead to roles remaining open or being reposted. We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you've applied previously without an offer, we recommend waiting a year before reapplying. Bending Spoons is a demanding, ambitious environment requiring significant commitment, offering extraordinary learning and growth in return. We recommend an initial few months in our Milan office to quickly absorb our culture and build team trust, supported by generous relocation assistance. Post-onboarding, you may work from Milan, London, or remotely from approved countries.Key Skills/Competency
- Software Engineering
- AI Integration
- System Design
- Scalability
- Problem Solving
- Python
- Rust
- Kubernetes
- Microservices
- End-to-End Ownership
Skills & topics
- Software Engineer
- Madrid
- WeTransfer
- Bending Spoons
- Python
- Rust
- Kubernetes
- AI
- Microservices
- Full-time
- Engineering
- Developer
- Computer Science
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight problem-solving, drive, and team spirit with specific examples.
- Showcase reasoning ability: Emphasize first-principles thinking and detail-oriented solutions.
- Demonstrate ambition and drive: Use your resume to convey your tenacity and high standards.
- Prepare for challenging tests: Be ready for multi-hour assessments, practicing complex problem-solving.
- Highlight collaboration skills: Provide examples of your teamwork and supportive nature.
Technical preparation
Practice problem-solving from first principles.,Familiarize yourself with Python and Rust.,Study microservices and Kubernetes concepts.,Explore AI integration in development workflows.
Behavioral questions
Provide an example of your ambition.,Describe how you handle complex problems.,Share a time you helped a teammate.,How do you ensure code quality and maintainability?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the expected salary range for a Software Engineer at WeTransfer/Bending Spoons in Madrid?
- While specific salary details are not provided in the job description, Bending Spoons typically offers competitive pay and equity. For roles outside London, the annual salary for experienced candidates tends to fall between €107,837 and €188,848. Compensation is adjusted based on location, expected impact, and your experience, with potential for exceptional candidates to exceed these ranges. Equity participation is also a standard offering.
- Does WeTransfer/Bending Spoons offer remote work for Software Engineers?
- Yes, Bending Spoons offers remote working options from approved countries after an initial onboarding period in Milan. The company emphasizes flexibility, and the long-term work arrangement (office-based, hybrid, or remote) is typically agreed upon during the offer stage.
- What is the interview process like for a Software Engineer role at WeTransfer/Bending Spoons?
- The selection process prioritizes verifiable excellence. After an initial screening, candidates will likely undergo challenging tests that can take several hours and may involve unfamiliar problems. The company sets a high bar, ensuring they find the right candidate before extending an offer.
- What are the key technical skills required for this Software Engineer position?
- The role requires proficiency across diverse stacks, including monoliths and microservices, gRPC, REST, Kubernetes, Docker, Python, and Rust. A key aspect is the ability to thoughtfully choose and apply the right technologies, focusing on depth and purpose. Integrating AI tools into the development workflow is also a significant component.
- How important is prior experience for the Software Engineer role in Madrid?
- While verifiable signals of excellence are prioritized over strict seniority, the job description indicates that compensation varies significantly with experience. Candidates with considerable relevant experience can expect a higher salary range. However, the company also encourages individuals with potential to apply, even if they feel they lack extensive experience.
- What does it mean to 'Amplify your impact with AI' in this role?
- This means integrating powerful AI tools directly into your daily development tasks. You'll use AI to assist in designing, implementing, testing, and documenting code, aiming to increase your speed and efficiency while maintaining high standards for correctness and reliability.
- What is the company culture like at WeTransfer/Bending Spoons?
- Bending Spoons fosters a high-performing, collaborative environment with minimal hierarchy and small, talent-dense teams. They emphasize innovation, operational excellence, ambition, agility, and deep AI integration. The culture values strong reasoning, ambition, drive, and team spirit, aiming for extraordinary learning and growth.
- What kind of support is provided for relocation to Madrid?
- WeTransfer/Bending Spoons offers a rich relocation package, including support for an initial period in Milan to help new hires quickly absorb company culture and build team trust. Generous travel and accommodation assistance are provided for this initial phase.