Member of Technical Staff (Backend Software Engineer)

Perplexity·Remote(London)

Software Development

WFA Digital Insight

As demand for skilled software engineers continues to surge, with a notable 25% increase in cloud infrastructure roles over the past year, professionals with expertise in designing and implementing scalable tools and systems are in high demand. Perplexity stands out in the market with its innovative approach to search and internet interaction, and this Senior/Staff Software Engineer position offers a chance to be part of a team that's revolutionizing the digital landscape. With the remote work trend on the rise, candidates should be well-versed in collaborative tools and methodologies. Before applying, it's crucial to understand the company's focus on reliability, security, and performance at scale, as well as the importance of seamless integration with cross-functional teams.

Job Description

About the Role

The Senior/Staff Software Engineer position at Perplexity is a critical role that involves leading the design, implementation, and scaling of infrastructure tools, systems, and platforms. This is a high-impact position that empowers web, mobile, and browser engineers to build state-of-the-art products, focusing on reliability, security, and performance at scale. The successful candidate will be part of a small, high-impact team and will play a critical role in enabling product, AI, and developer teams to innovate quickly.

The role involves collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that infrastructure meets the needs of both internal and external stakeholders. This includes working with product teams to understand their requirements, with AI research teams to ensure infrastructure supports their needs, and with security teams to ensure that all systems are secure and compliant with industry standards.

Given the company's focus on innovation and rapid product development, the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to adapt to changing priorities is essential. The role involves not only designing and implementing new infrastructure but also maintaining and improving existing systems, ensuring they remain scalable, reliable, and secure.

What You Will Do

Lead the design and implementation of new infrastructure projects, focusing on scalability, reliability, and security.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and ensure infrastructure meets the needs of all stakeholders.
Develop and maintain tools and systems that empower engineers to build and deploy products efficiently.
Ensure all infrastructure is designed with security and compliance in mind, working closely with security teams.
Participate in the planning and execution of large-scale infrastructure projects.
Troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues, working with various teams to resolve problems efficiently.
Develop and maintain documentation for infrastructure systems and tools.
Implement monitoring and logging systems to ensure visibility into infrastructure performance.
Participate in on-call rotations to ensure 24/7 support for critical infrastructure.
Collaborate with the DevX team to improve developer productivity and experience.
Work with the Cloud Infra team to design and scale cloud infrastructure for high-throughput, low-latency workloads.

What We Are Looking For

5+ years of experience in software engineering, with a focus on infrastructure development.
Strong proficiency in one or more programming languages, such as Python, Go, or TypeScript.
Experience with cloud technologies, including AWS, and containerization using tools like Docker.
Strong understanding of database systems, including PostgreSQL and NoSQL databases like DynamoDB.
Experience with infrastructure as code tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation.
Strong understanding of security principles and practices, with experience in securing infrastructure systems.
Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work with cross-functional teams.
Experience with agile development methodologies and version control systems like Git.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex infrastructure issues.

Nice to Have

Experience with Bazel or similar build tools.
Knowledge of React and frontend development principles.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools like Jenkins or CircleCI.
Familiarity with machine learning or AI technologies and their infrastructure requirements.
Experience working in a fully remote environment, with strong self-motivation and discipline.

Benefits and Perks

Competitive salary and equity package.
Comprehensive health insurance, including dental and vision.
Flexible PTO policy, with generous vacation days.
Remote work stipend to support your home office setup.
Access to the latest technologies and tools to support your work.
Professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and training.
Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a team of talented professionals.
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects that are changing the digital landscape.

How to Stand Out

Tip: Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure and containerization in your resume and cover letter, as these are key skills for the role.
When preparing for the interview, make sure you can discuss specific examples of infrastructure projects you've led or been a part of, focusing on your role, the challenges faced, and how you contributed to the solution.
To stand out, prepare a portfolio or examples of your work, such as code samples on GitHub, that demonstrate your proficiency in relevant technologies.
Be ready to discuss your approach to security and compliance in infrastructure development, as this is a critical aspect of the role.
During salary negotiations, consider not just the base salary but also the overall compensation package, including equity and benefits, to ensure you're getting a fair deal.
When researching the company, pay attention to its culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how your own values and work style align with those of Perplexity.

This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.