Zencoder
AI platform
StaffSoftwareEngineer
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Lead candidates.
“Staff Software Engineer at Zencoder. Skills: Distributed systems, Cloud environments (AWS/Google Cloud), Multiple programming languages (JavaScript, Rust, Python, JVM-based), Technical leadership, System design. Act as a technical thought leader, setting a high bar for engineering quality. Be hands-on, writing code for new features, prototyping, refactoring existing code to meet best practices”
What You'll Achieve.
Empower our teams to move fast without sacrificing maintainability; Improve reliability; Make deliberate trade-offs; Raise the overall technical maturity of the team; Ship features that matter; See the immediate impact of your decisions; Get feedback directly from users — fast
Industry & Context.
Simplify complexity; Improve reliability; Make deliberate trade-offs; Simplify complex systems; Reduce unnecessary technical debt
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
10+ years of experience in software engineering covering multiple large-scale, production-grade systems, Expert in at least one of the following languages: JavaScript, Python, Rust, JVM-based (Java/Kotlin) with proficiency in at least two, Experience building and scaling distributed systems with reliability and performance in mind, background in cloud architecture and infrastructure design in AWS or Google Cloud environments, Demonstrated ability to simplify complex systems and reduce unnecessary technical debt while balancing the need to move fast to compete, communication skills with a track record of aligning stakeholders, leading cross-functional efforts, and influencing without authority, A deep shift‑left mindset throughout the entire SDLC, with early integration of security, automated testing, and CI/CD pipelines, Deep familiarity with AI assistants, a solid grasp of the evolving AI landscape, and the ability to translate trends and capabilities into practical product improvements, Curiosity, pragmatism, and a willingness to challenge assumptions
Nice to Have
Experience or a interest in building collaborative, real-time systems is beneficial
What You'll Do.
Act as a technical thought leader
setting a high bar for engineering quality
writing code for new features
refactoring existing code to meet best practices
Lead design discussions and architecture reviews for high-impact projects
Collaborate with product
and research teams to define and evolve user-facing functionality with real developer impact
Evaluate trade-offs thoughtfully across performance
and cost and advocate for clear
maintainable solutions
Guide and mentor other engineers
helping them grow while raising the overall technical maturity of the team
Influence engineering culture
driving best practices in testing
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Collaborate across product and engineering; Collaborate with product, design, and research teams; Aligning stakeholders; Leading cross-functional efforts
Communication Scope
Communication skills with a track record of aligning stakeholders, leading cross-functional efforts, and influencing without authority
Full Job Description
About Zencoder Zencoder is a universal AI platform focused on integrating generative coding workflows into existing developer tools and infrastructure. Connect any CLI to any IDE, starting with Claude Code, Codex, and Zen CLI, while leveraging Zencoder's proprietary enterprise-grade features like multi-repo intelligence. The platform supports on-premise, hybrid, or cloud deployment, with air-gapped and zero-VPC options to maintain enterprise security. Through modular "Zen Agents," Zencoder codifies team practices into shareable, autonomous workflows that continuously code, test, and deploy. The Opportunity We are looking for a Staff Software Engineer to join our engineering team. This is a critical role for an experienced, hands-on technical leader with a broad and deep skillset across multiple languages such as JavaScript, Rust, Python, JVM-based (Java/Kotlin) and strong experience building and scaling distributed systems in cloud environments such as AWS or Google Cloud. As a Staff Engineer, you will help drive the technical direction of aspects of our platform, setting high standards for system design, code quality, best practices and architectural clarity. You will collaborate across product and engineering to simplify complexity, improve reliability, and make deliberate trade-offs that empower our teams to move fast without sacrificing maintainability. This is a unique opportunity to join an early-stage company led by serial entrepreneur Andrew Filev (founder of a unicorn startup), and shape a product that is redefining how software is built. Key Responsibilities Act as a technical thought leader, setting a high bar for engineering quality. Be hands-on, writing code for new features, prototyping, refactoring existing code to meet best practices, etc. Lead design discussions and architecture reviews for high-impact projects. Collaborate with product, design, and research teams to define and evolve user-facing functionality with real developer impact. Evaluate tr
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