Grindr

AI-native platform

StaffFullStackEngineer

$152–203k Chicago, United States FULL TIME Remote Friendly
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Lead candidates.

The Brief

“Staff Full Stack Engineer at Grindr. Skills: Full Stack Engineering, React, Backend Systems, AI. Set technical direction for moderation systems. architect”

What You'll Achieve.

Outcomes over outputs; shipping outcomes within weeks; shipping outcomes without heavy process; drive real outcomes

Industry & Context.

AI native platform
Problems you'll solve

tackle technical problems at a scale; architectural decisions that scale; make defensible decisions

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

8+ years of professional software engineering experience, deep production experience across both front-end and back-end systems, Expert-level proficiency building user interfaces with React, grasp of modern web performance, state management, accessibility, back-end experience in at least one modern language (Java, Kotlin, Node. js, Python, or Go), judgment to make architectural decisions that scale, Hands-on experience operating cloud-native systems on AWS or GCP, understanding of database fundamentals, production experience across both relational and NoSQL systems, Track record of leading technical work end-to-end at a Staff level, setting direction, driving execution across teams, shipping outcomes without heavy process, Embraces AI-native workflows

Nice to Have

built and operated consumer-facing web products at scale, performance, privacy, reliability are non-negotiable, energized by being the most senior engineer in the room on web, make defensible decisions, document them, stand behind them, Care equally about the system you're building and the experience it delivers, modern web design fundamentals, UX instincts inform how you write code, experience working on distributed teams across time zones and borders

What You'll Do.

Set technical direction for moderation systems

deliver applications and services

work seamlessly across devices

Be the point person for React tools

enable human moderators

accessibility into everything

Maintain existing third-party integrations

develop new integrations

pivot to being AI first

Raise the engineering bar

lead code reviews with empathy

influence how org thinks about web architecture

Lead integration of AI into web stack

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

partner directly with Product; Design; Marketing; Backend Platform; influence how the broader org thinks about web architecture; working on distributed teams

Process & Methodology

driving execution across teams, shipping outcomes without heavy process

Full Job Description

Grindr is an AI-native platform powering how millions of gay people connect globally. With 15M+ monthly users, 130B+ annual messages, and a team of fewer than 200, we move fast, stay lean, and tackle technical problems at a scale few companies ever see. This role sits on the Ecosystem Health team and owns the end-to-end stack behind Grindr's moderation — the tools used by human moderators, automated photo moderation, fraud and spam prevention, and regulatory compliance . As a Staff engineer, you'll set the technical direction for how we architect, ship, and scale these systems, working across the front-end and back-end with equal fluency. You'll partner directly with Product, Design, Marketing, and Backend Platform to make decisions that show up in production within weeks, not quarters. The systems you build are trusted by millions of users to protect their privacy and serve them reliably at scale. At Grindr, we operate in Grindr Mode. Moderately hardcore day to day, truly hardcore when it counts. It's about doing great work without burning out. Outcomes over outputs. Smart, driven people who raise your bar, with room to live full lives. This is a hybrid role based in our Chicago and will require you to be in person Tuesdays and Thursdays. About the Job: - Set the technical direction for Grindr's moderation systems — architect, build, and deliver applications and services that span the full stack and work seamlessly across devices - Be the point person for the React tools that enable our human moderators and its associated backend - Build security, privacy, and accessibility into everything — millions of users trust Grindr to protect them, and the bar for what ships is yours to hold - Maintain existing third-party integrations and develop new integrations as we pivot to being AI first - Raise the engineering bar across the team — mentor engineers, lead code reviews with empathy, and influence how the broader org thinks about web architecture, performance, and reliab

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