Software Engineer, MediaWiki Interfaces in London
Software Engineer, MediaWiki Interfaces

Software Engineer, MediaWiki Interfaces in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 96000 £ / year (est.) Home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop key parts of MediaWiki, impacting millions globally.
  • Company: Join the Wikimedia Foundation, a nonprofit powering Wikipedia and free knowledge.
  • Benefits: Fully remote work, competitive salary, and a commitment to diversity.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in how people access and share knowledge.
  • Qualifications: Experience in PHP and JavaScript, or a willingness to learn.
  • Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 96000 £ per year.

The Wikimedia Foundation is looking for a Software Engineer to join the MediaWiki Interfaces team. MediaWiki is the open‐source platform that powers Wikipedia and its sister projects – impacting hundreds of millions of users worldwide. This team owns the web API and other integration interfaces of MediaWiki, enabling other teams to create features that allow users to access, edit, and consume knowledge efficiently and reliably. This role offers a chance to work on large‐scale, mission‐driven software while deepening your technical expertise and contributing to systems used globally. You will collaborate with other engineers and product managers to improve performance, reliability and the responsible adoption of our APIs.

Important: We are a fully remote team. Your working hours will need to overlap with UTC‐4 to UTC+2 time zones to best accommodate members of your team around the world.

You Will Be Responsible For:

  • Designing, developing, and maintaining key parts of the MediaWiki stack
  • Writing clean, well‐documented, and maintainable code
  • Participating in code reviews, design discussions, and technical planning
  • Investigating and resolving production issues with support from other engineers
  • Contributing to the adoption and advocacy of API‐first development, and influencing best practices in system design, SLOs/SLAs, and OpenAPI Specification
  • Contributing to improving observability (metrics, logging, monitoring) and reliability of our systems
  • Collaborating with the Product team and the Wikimedia community to ensure technical solutions meet user needs
  • Working with other engineers to improve the development workflow

Qualities We Are Looking For:

  • Clear communicator – can explain ideas simply and adapt communication to different audiences
  • Outcome‐oriented – prioritises work that delivers value to users and aligns with organisational goals, breaking it into manageable steps to deliver incremental value
  • Accountable – owns work end‐to‐end and helps establish a culture of responsibility and follow‐through
  • Candid and respectful – offers feedback directly, constructively, and with care; invites the same in return; supports growth by challenging ideas, not people
  • Collaborative – enjoys working with others to solve problems and is open to feedback

Requirements:

  • Commitment to the Foundation's Mission and Values
  • Bachelor's + 2 years of related experience or equivalent work experience
  • Proficiency in PHP and JavaScript, or willingness to learn and work with both
  • Understanding of HTTP and web application architecture
  • Familiarity with observability and testing practices

Additionally, We’d Love It If You Have:

  • Experience contributing to open‐source software
  • Familiarity with MediaWiki
  • Experience working in a remote, distributed team
  • Interest in API‐first development or improving developer experience
  • Professional experience in large‐scale web platforms

About The Wikimedia Foundation:

The Wikimedia Foundation is the nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Our vision is a world in which every single human can freely share in the sum of all knowledge. We believe that everyone has the potential to contribute something to our shared knowledge, and that everyone should be able to access that knowledge freely. We host Wikipedia and the Wikimedia projects, build software experiences for reading, contributing, and sharing Wikimedia content, support the volunteer communities and partners who make Wikimedia possible, and advocate for policies that enable Wikimedia and free knowledge to thrive.

As an equal opportunity employer, the Wikimedia Foundation values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any person based upon their race, traits historically associated with race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.

The Wikimedia Foundation is a remote‐first organization with staff members including contractors based in 40+ countries. Salaries are set in a way that is competitive, equitable, and consistent with our values and culture. The anticipated annual pay range for applicants based within the United States is US$92,267 to US$144,201, with multiple individualized factors, including cost of living, being the determinants of the offered pay. For applicants located outside of the United States, the pay range will be adjusted to the country of hire. We neither ask for nor take into consideration the salary history of applicants. The compensation for a successful applicant will be based on their skills, experience and location.

If you are a qualified applicant requiring assistance or an accommodation to complete any step of the application process due to a disability, you may contact us at recruiting@wikimedia.org or +1 (415) 839‐6885. This position requires candidates to be legally eligible to work in the United States. Eligibility for the U.S. position will have to be verified. All applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of background or qualifications. Applicants in other countries are hired through a local third‐party Employer of Record (EOR). Currently we can hire in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay.

Software Engineer, MediaWiki Interfaces in London employer: Wikimedia Foundation

The Wikimedia Foundation is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work on impactful, mission-driven software that serves millions globally. With a fully remote work culture, employees enjoy flexibility and collaboration across diverse teams, while benefiting from competitive salaries and a commitment to inclusivity and professional growth. Join us to contribute to the open-source community and be part of a team that values accountability, respect, and innovation.
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Contact Detail:

Wikimedia Foundation Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Software Engineer, MediaWiki Interfaces in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your field, especially those at Wikimedia or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that job descriptions just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or portfolio, make sure it’s up to date. Share projects that highlight your PHP and JavaScript prowess, especially anything related to APIs or open-source contributions.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by understanding Wikimedia's mission. Be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goals. It’s all about showing you’re not just a fit technically, but culturally too!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer, MediaWiki Interfaces in London

PHP
JavaScript
HTTP
Web Application Architecture
Observability
Testing Practices
API-First Development
OpenAPI Specification
Collaboration
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Code Review
Technical Planning
Remote Work Experience
Open-Source Software Contribution

Some tips for your application 🫔

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Software Engineer role. Highlight your experience with PHP, JavaScript, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in MediaWiki or API development.

Show Your Passion: Let us know why you’re excited about working at the Wikimedia Foundation! Share your thoughts on our mission and how you can contribute to making knowledge accessible to everyone.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your experiences and skills, and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate clarity!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Wikimedia Foundation

✨Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you brush up on your PHP and JavaScript skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with these languages and how you've used them in past projects. Familiarity with HTTP and web application architecture will also give you an edge.

✨Understand MediaWiki

Dive into MediaWiki and understand its core functionalities. Knowing how it operates and its integration interfaces will help you answer questions more effectively and show your genuine interest in the role.

✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills

Since this is a remote position, highlight your experience working in distributed teams. Share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others, tackled challenges, and communicated effectively across different time zones.

✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Approach

Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving, especially when it comes to production issues. Share specific examples of how you've investigated and resolved issues in the past, and how you contributed to improving system reliability.

Software Engineer, MediaWiki Interfaces in London
Wikimedia Foundation
Location: London

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