Staff Software Engineer

We’re looking for a Staff Software Engineer to help us scale the architecture, systems, and engineering practices that power Kin’s rapid growth. As a recognized subject matter expert across multiple technologies, you’ll play a high-impact role shaping full-stack architecture and influencing technical strategy across teams. You won’t just write code — you’ll define standards, guide architectural decisions, and ensure our systems are scalable, reliable, and aligned with business priorities. This role exists because Kin is growing quickly. As we expand products, states, and customer experiences, we need senior technical leadership that can anticipate scaling challenges, reduce technical risk, and mentor engineers to execute at a high level. Your work will directly impact our ability to deliver fast, resilient applications for both customers and internal teams.

Responsibilities

Lead and define full-stack architecture within scrum team, setting a clear technical vision aligned with business goals; Write clean, maintainable, and efficient Ruby and TypeScript code while modeling engineering excellence; Own architectural planning, design, and documentation for distributed, full-stack systems; Identify, evaluate, and mitigate technical risks before they impact delivery or scalability; Mentor engineers at all levels through pair programming, design reviews, and technical coaching; Partner with Product and Design to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions; Drive continuous improvement through refactoring, test automation, experimentation, and modern engineering practices; Influence Kin’s broader architectural strategy by collaborating with engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders; Deliver fast, reliable, and scalable applications that support both customer-facing and internal platforms; Help scale our systems and teams to support Kin’s next phase of growth

Requirements

8+ years of professional software engineering experience; Expert proficiency in full-stack development, using Ruby on Rails and TypeScript; Proficiency with SQL and relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred); Exposure to NoSQL systems; Experience designing and implementing scalable, distributed, and event-driven systems; Demonstrated experience in architectural planning, system design, and technical documentation; Proven ability to identify and mitigate technical risks in complex systems; Experience leading and guiding multiple engineering teams through execution; Ability to operate with little-to-no technical guidance; Experience mentoring engineers across different levels of seniority; Ability to clearly articulate the value of technical investments to non-technical stakeholders; Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts; Thrive in a high-growth startup environment — fast-paced, ownership-driven, and mission-focused — and motivated to continue learning while elevating those around you

Nice to have

Angular; PostgreSQL

Benefits

Competitive salary and company equity through Restricted Stock Units (RSUs); 401(k) with company match up to 4% of eligible earnings; Multiple medical plan options, plus dental and vision coverage; Company-funded HSA contributions; Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability; Supplemental benefit options including long-term disability, critical illness, accident, legal, and pet insurance; Access to mental health support and confidential counseling resources; Flexible PTO for exempt employees; 8 company-observed holidays; Paid parental leave; Career mobility and internal growth opportunities; Professional development budgets for certifications, conferences, and learning