Staff Software Engineer, Core Infrastructure

Snap Inc.

Staff Software Engineer leading technical direction for Snap's Service Infrastructure platform. Focusing on reliability and scalability to drive high-impact initiatives in a collaborative environment.

Posted 7/7/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $229,000 - $343,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in leading technical direction for backend infrastructure, focusing on service reliability, scalability, and performance. Proficient in system design and building durable systems that enhance engineering velocity and quality.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Technical Lead ExperienceBackend Systems DevelopmentService Architecture DesignObservability Best PracticesSystem Performance Optimization

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software DevelopmentSystem DesignAPIsService MeshCompute PlatformsStorage ConceptsWorkflow OrchestrationIncident ResponseOperational ExcellenceScalability

Soft Skills

CollaborationLeadershipCommunication

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer ScienceMaster’s Degree in Technical FieldPhD in Related Technical Field

Industry Keywords

Service InfrastructureDistributed SystemsEngineering VelocityTechnical InitiativesOperational Excellence

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Distributed Systems

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the technical direction for Snap’s Service Infrastructure platform, defining multi-quarter and multi-year roadmaps across areas such as service mesh, compute, observability, and adjacent platform capabilities.
Design, build, and operate foundational backend infrastructure that powers critical services across Snap with a focus on reliability, scalability, performance, and operational excellence.
Act as a hands-on Staff-level tech lead, driving ambiguous and high-impact technical initiatives from concept through architecture, implementation, rollout, and iteration.
Partner closely with engineers and leaders across infrastructure and product teams to align on technical direction, priorities, trade-offs, and long-term platform investments.
Improve the developer and operator experience for teams building on Snap’s backend platform by creating durable systems, abstractions, and mechanisms that raise engineering velocity and quality at scale.
Drive best practices in service reliability, observability, incident response, system performance, and cost efficiency across mission-critical infrastructure.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
9+ years of software development experience; or a Master’s degree in a technical field and 8+ years of software development experience; or a PhD in a related technical field and 5+ years of software development experience
Experience as a technical lead, domain expert, or owner of complex technical initiatives
Experience building and operating backend systems or distributed systems in production environments
Strong foundation in system design, including APIs, service architecture, compute platforms, storage concepts, observability, and workflow orchestration

Benefits

Comp & perks

paid parental leave
comprehensive medical coverage
emotional and mental health support programs
compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long-term success