Staff Backend Engineer, Developer Experience

Gitlab·Remote(Remote, Canada; Remote, United Kingdom; Remote, US)

Software Development

AdjustExcel

WFA Digital Insight

The demand for skilled backend engineers with expertise in developer experience has surged in recent years, with a 25% increase in job postings for remote roles. As companies like Gitlab continue to prioritize digital transformation, the need for professionals who can streamline development processes and improve engineering efficiency has never been more pressing. With over 50 million registered users, Gitlab is at the forefront of this shift, making this role an exciting opportunity for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the industry. Candidates should be prepared to bring their expertise in languages like Ruby and Go, as well as experience with testing and development workflows.

Job Description

About the Role

As a Staff Backend Engineer in the Developer Experience group at Gitlab, you will play a crucial role in identifying and improving the engineering experience across the company's internal engineering teams. This is a pivotal time for Gitlab, as it undergoes a significant transformation in its testing approach and development experience to enable engineers to deliver high-quality code efficiently and with confidence. The Developer Experience group currently comprises six globally distributed teams of Backend Engineers and Software Engineers in Test, and this role will involve working across the entire group to help identify and remove the biggest points of friction that affect development at Gitlab.

The role entails splitting your time between hands-on coding in Ruby and Go, designing scalable solutions, and helping every team deliver. You will be instrumental in shaping the engineering culture across Gitlab, driving technical excellence, and championing engineering needs. This is a highly visible role with strong company-wide support, and you will be expected to drive change and modernize testing at scale.

What You Will Do

Drive technical excellence across six Developer Experience teams, providing hands-on engineering contributions and technical leadership
Champion engineering needs by partnering with engineering teams across Gitlab to identify pain points, gather feedback, and translate day-to-day frustrations into actionable improvements
Transform testing at scale to support Gitlab's growth, ensuring that testing is efficient, reliable, and scalable
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize areas for improvement in the development workflow
Design and implement solutions to improve the developer experience, focusing on testing, logging, and development environments
Provide technical guidance and oversight to ensure that solutions are properly implemented and maintained
Work closely with the engineering teams to ensure that the solutions are adopted and that the benefits are realized
Identify and mitigate technical risks and debt, ensuring that the solutions are sustainable and maintainable
Participate in the hiring and growth of the engineering team, helping to attract, retain, and develop top talent
Contribute to the development of the engineering strategy and roadmap, ensuring that it aligns with the company's goals and objectives
Collaborate with other teams to ensure that the developer experience is aligned with the company's overall strategy and vision

What We Are Looking For

5+ years of experience in software development, with a focus on backend engineering and developer experience
Proficiency in Ruby and Go, with experience in designing and implementing scalable solutions
Strong understanding of testing principles, including unit testing, integration testing, and end-to-end testing
Experience with testing frameworks and tools, such as RSpec, Jest, and Cypress
Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
Experience with Agile development methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions
Experience with cloud-based technologies, such as AWS or Google Cloud
Strong understanding of logging, monitoring, and analytics, with experience in implementing logging and monitoring solutions
Experience with containerization, using tools such as Docker

Nice to Have

Experience with DevSecOps practices and tools, such as security testing and compliance
Knowledge of machine learning and AI, with experience in implementing AI-powered solutions
Experience with data analytics and visualization, using tools such as Tableau or Power BI
Strong understanding of database design and implementation, with experience in using databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL
Experience with front-end development, using tools such as React or Angular

Benefits and Perks

Competitive salary and equity package
Flexible working hours and remote work options
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) matching and retirement savings plan
Generous paid time off and vacation policy
Professional development and training opportunities
Access to the latest technologies and tools
Collaborative and dynamic work environment
Opportunity to work with a talented and diverse team
Flexible spending account and commuter benefits
Employee assistance program and mental health support
Recognition and reward programs for outstanding performance
Access to exclusive company events and networking opportunities

How to Stand Out

Tip: Make sure your resume and cover letter are tailored to the specific requirements of the job, highlighting your experience with Ruby and Go, as well as your understanding of testing principles and developer experience.
Develop a strong portfolio that showcases your technical skills and experience, including examples of your work in designing and implementing scalable solutions.
Prepare to talk about your experience with testing frameworks and tools, as well as your understanding of logging, monitoring, and analytics.
Be ready to discuss your experience with Agile development methodologies and your ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team.
Show enthusiasm for Gitlab's mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and objectives.
Research the company culture and be prepared to ask informed questions during the interview process.
Be prepared to provide specific examples of how you have driven technical excellence and championed engineering needs in your previous roles.

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