Staff Software Engineer, Backend

Cantina • Los Angeles, CA

4d • $200,000 - $240,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As part of the Backend Engineering team, you'll design, build, and scale systems and services that revolutionize how users engage with our cutting-edge AI-powered platform. This role is ideal for a self-sufficient senior software engineer who thrives in fast-paced environments and is passionate about driving user acquisition, engagement, and retention. Your work will have a direct impact on core business outcomes, including customer acquisition, retention, and product scalability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of professional software engineering experience, with expertise in backend and cloud architectures.
• Proficiency in Golang, Node.js, Javascript, TypeScript, Postgres, and AWS (Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, S3).
• Solid understanding of software design patterns, microservices architecture, and RESTful APIs.
• Familiarity with third party services like Segment, Branch.io, or similar marketing tools.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
• Experience with growth-focused projects, including optimizing user acquisition and retention.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and data specialists, to deliver high-quality, performant, and maintainable features.
• Build and enhance AI-powered systems supporting user acquisition, onboarding, and engagement.
• Experiment with and implement new technologies to optimize user journeys and streamline customer experiences.
• Gain exposure to the architecture and operations behind one of the fastest-growing social AI products globally.
• Contribute your expertise to help evolve team processes and technical infrastructure, ensuring scalability and reliability.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and generous company equity
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance – 99.99% of premiums covered by Cantina
• 42 days of paid time off, including: 15 PTO days, 10 sick days, 15 company holidays, 2 floating holidays
• Generous parental leave & fertility support
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Lifestyle spending account – $500/month to use however you’d like
• Complimentary lunch and snacks for in-office employees
• One Medical membership

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior