Staff Software Engineer

<p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">At AoPS, we are world leaders in teaching advanced mathematics. We train many of the most elite mathematicians in the world, including all members of the US International Math Olympiad team. Despite this impact, AoPS remains relatively unknown to the broader public.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">AoPS is unique because it is vertically integrated: it develops its own curriculum, runs its own physical learning centers, employs teachers, and has a robust and capable product, design, and engineering team. Today, our curriculum and academic programs are absolutely world-class, but our digital experiences are dated. Your job will be to help us reimagine our digital learning experiences and push the upper bounds of great teaching and learning.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll be a core member of a small and scrappy team, partnering directly with peers in curriculum and design, as well as the broader AoPS engineering organization, to design, build, and iterate on real user feedback.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">We're looking for someone who loves building student-facing products and cares deeply about craft. This isn't a role where you'll just implement a spec that's handed to you. You'll be:</p> <ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Prototyping solutions quickly, testing with families and iterating based on what you learn</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Digging into user feedback and data to understand what's resonating and not</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Making technical decisions that balance moving fast with building foundations that scale</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Working across the stack - from React components to database schema and more</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>The Staff Software Engineer will:</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Build Products That Matter:</strong> Architect software that engages, challenges, and inspires students to go deeper. Whether it's through collaborating closely with our classroom instructors, AI-powered support, cleaner interfaces, or improving our multiplayer whiteboard algorithms, you'll explore multiple approaches to create learning experiences that truly resonate. When the path forward isn't obvious, you'll pioneer the solutions that move our mission forward</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Drive Strategic Evolution:</strong> Champion continuous improvement by transforming legacy systems into modern platforms, refining our testing and deployment practices, and evolving our architecture for the future. When you spot technical debt or opportunities to adopt current frameworks, you'll take initiative to address them strategically. This isn't just refactoring, it's charting the technical path forward while keeping our products rock-solid for the students who depend on them</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Elevate the Team:</strong> Through thoughtful code reviews and hands-on mentorship, help teammates level up their skills. You're not just writing code, you're shaping how we think about architecture, design, and technical excellence across the team</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Own the Entire Journey:</strong> From initial user conversations with Product and Design through launch and beyond, be deeply involved in shaping what we build and how we build it. Your technical insights will influence product strategy, and you'll see your ideas come to life in the hands of real learners</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Communicate Fearlessly:</strong> Keep stakeholders informed with clear timelines and early warnings when challenges emerge. No surprises: just transparent, proactive communication that helps the whole team move faster</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Stay Sharp:</strong> Stay curious about emerging web technologies and best practices, always expanding your toolkit and bringing fresh ideas to the team</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>The ideal candidate has:</strong></p> <ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">4+ years of professional experience in full stack web development using the following strongly preferred: Typescript, React, Next.js, and RDBMS such as PostgreSQL</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">A strong understanding of the JavaScript language and ecosystem</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience building culture in an early stage startup environment</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Ability to thrive in an ambiguous and fast-paced environment</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">A proven ability to build delightful consumer experiences</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Ability to provide technical leadership and coaching on full stack design and code</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">A track record as a thought leader on product/development strategy and owner of large projects</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and creative skills</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Why Join AoPS:</strong> This is a hybrid full-time position based at our headquarters in San Diego, CA. The hiring range for this position is $190k - $210k. Here are some things you can look forward to:</p> <ul class="[li_&amp;]:mb-0 [li_&amp;]:mt-1 [li_&amp;]:gap-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3"> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Impact:</strong> As a Staff Software Engineer, you will play a central role in reimagining AoPS's digital learning experiences, directly shaping the tools and platforms that inspire and challenge the next generation of great problem solvers</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Flexibility:</strong> Casual work environment with a hybrid work week and flexible scheduling</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Benefits:</strong> Multiple options for Medical, Dental and Vision plans</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Future Planning:</strong> 401(k) with company match</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Quality of Life:</strong> PTO Plan and supportive leadership that gives you the work-life balance you deserve</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2"><strong>Ease of Transition:</strong> Relocation bonus (if currently located outside of San Diego)</li> </ul> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Background Check:</strong> Please note that employment is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>Work Authorization:</strong> Please note that in order to be considered for this position you must be legally authorized to work in the US. We are unable to offer sponsorship, including STEM-OPT and H-1B.</p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><strong>About AoPS:</strong> Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is on a mission to discover, inspire, and train the great problem solvers of the next generation. Since 2003, we have trained hundreds of thousands of the country's top students, including nearly all the members of the US International Math Olympiad team, through our online school, in-person academies, textbooks, and online learning systems. While our primary focus has been math for most of our history, through the years we have expanded our unique problem solving curriculum into more subjects, such as language arts, science, and computer science.</p>