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- Tasks: Join us to tackle complex technical challenges and enhance our backend systems.
- Company: Depop is a vibrant marketplace connecting buyers and sellers in a unique way.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, a supportive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and making a real impact in the tech world.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in solving technical challenges and building scalable applications is essential.
- Other info: Ideal for those who thrive in fast-paced environments and love mentoring others.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Depop is looking for an experienced Staff Engineer to join our team. You will be motivated to solve Depop's most challenging technical problems within and across our backend, platform, and data domains. Your extensive technical experience will enable you to identify and address common pain points, enhancing productivity and streamlining practices for our engineering teams.
Responsibilities:
- Work closely with Backend, Platform, and Data teams to identify and resolve constraints, improving developer experience and efficiency (Cross-Team Collaboration)
- Identify and address backend challenges before they escalate, ensuring system reliability and smooth operations (Proactive Problem-Solving)
- Apply deep backend knowledge to resolve issues, contribute substantial code solutions, and improve team productivity (Technical Expertise & Code Contributions)
- Design backend systems and data pipelines with scalability, maintainability, and developer experience in mind (Scalable System Design)
- Align technical decisions with business strategy, drive organizational change, and adopt industry trends to future-proof systems (Strategic Leadership & Innovation)
Requirements:
- Proven track record of solving complex technical challenges and building scalable, high-traffic applications (Extensive Engineering Expertise)
- Strong understanding of cloud environments (we use AWS) and system design principles with a focus on reducing complexity and cognitive load (Cloud & System Design Mastery)
- Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new technologies, anticipate issues, and prevent problems from escalating (Problem-Solving & Adaptability)
- Experience mentoring engineers, being a technical go-to person, and effectively communicating complex concepts (Mentorship & Communication)
- Proficient in testing at various levels (unit, integration, etc.) and analyzing problem-solving insights to improve outcomes (Robust Testing & Analysis)
Must haves:
- Ability to persevere through setbacks with energy and drive, ensuring project delivery
- Approachable and supportive demeanour, capable of building strong relationships across all levels
- Skilled in aligning technical decisions with business strategy, working closely with engineering leadership
- Ability to navigate complex political situations tactfully, ensuring initiatives progress smoothly
- Comfort with ambiguity, uncertainty, and risk, maintaining agility in changing situations
- Openness to actively seek and act on feedback and coaching, enhancing organisational effectiveness
- Knowledge of event-driven architectures and different data storage systems
Nice to haves:
- Experience with ecommerce and marketplace systems in a business-to-consumer environment
- Proficiency with Infrastructure as Code, ideally using Terraform
- Experience using Datadog for monitoring and observability
- Track record of successfully implementing company-wide technical initiatives
Senior Staff Engineer employer: Depop
Contact Detail:
Depop Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Staff Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in backend development and cloud environments, especially AWS. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to staying current in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the engineering community by attending meetups or webinars focused on scalable system design and event-driven architectures. Networking with professionals in these areas can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've solved complex technical challenges in previous roles. Highlighting your proactive problem-solving skills will resonate well with the hiring team at Depop.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your mentorship experience by sharing stories of how you've supported and guided other engineers. This aligns with the role's requirement for strong communication and leadership skills, making you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Staff Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with backend systems, cloud environments, and any relevant technical challenges you've solved. Use specific examples that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your problem-solving skills and how you've contributed to team productivity in previous roles. Mention your experience with mentoring and communication, as these are key aspects of the role.
Showcase Technical Expertise: Include specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your deep knowledge of backend systems and cloud environments, particularly AWS. Highlight any experience with scalable system design and event-driven architectures.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to backend challenges and system design principles. Be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving and how you’ve navigated complex situations in past roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Depop
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in solving complex technical challenges. Highlight specific projects where you designed scalable systems or improved backend processes, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Emphasise Cross-Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with different departments in the past. This could include resolving constraints or enhancing developer experience, which is crucial for the position at Depop.
✨Demonstrate Proactive Problem-Solving
Prepare to discuss instances where you identified potential issues before they escalated. Show how your proactive approach has led to improved system reliability and smooth operations, aligning with the expectations for this role.
✨Communicate Your Mentorship Experience
As mentoring is a key aspect of the role, be ready to talk about your experience in guiding other engineers. Share how you've communicated complex concepts effectively and supported team members in their professional growth.
