Senior Staff Software Engineer, Backend Platform

About the role

The Senior Staff Backend Platform Engineer will define and drive the technical strategy for Patreon's backend platform and foundational infrastructure. They will lead architecture and implementation of scalable distributed systems, APIs, event-driven systems, and platform services. They will also lead modernization efforts across backend architecture, service boundaries, data access patterns, and infrastructure. This role is based in San Francisco and open to those who are able to be in-office 2 days per week on a hybrid work model.

What You'll Need

• Extensive experience building large-scale backend systems, with depth in distributed systems and platform architecture (typically 10+ years, or equivalent demonstrated expertise)
• Deep expertise in distributed systems, high-throughput APIs, and low-latency architectures that support millions of DAUs
• Experience with databases, caching systems, and storage technologies (e.g. MySQL, Postgres, Redis, DynamoDB)
• Strong understanding of data modeling, storage systems, caching, queues, and event-driven architectures
• Experience in performance optimization across APIs, databases, caching layers, and distributed services
• Strong operational excellence mindset, including incident response and production debugging
• Experience operating systems in cloud-native environments such as AWS and Kubernetes-based infrastructure
• Proficiency in one or more backend languages such as Python, Go, Java, or Rust
• Ability to communicate complex architectural trade-offs clearly in writing and in cross-functional forums
• Experience mentoring Staff and Senior engineers and contributing to engineering culture through design reviews, documentation, or team standards

Company Culture

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. We believe in fair and transparent pay and provide a competitive benefits package including and not limited to salary, equity plans, healthcare, flexible time off, company holidays and recharge days, commuter benefits, lifestyle stipends, learning and development stipends, patronage, parental leave, and 401k plan with matching. Patreon operates under a hybrid work model, where employees based in office locations are expected to come into the office two days per week, excluding sick time and paid leave.

Benefits

• Salary
• Equity plans
• Healthcare
• Flexible time off
• Company holidays and recharge days
• Commuter benefits
• Lifestyle stipends
• Learning and development stipends
• Patronage
• Parental leave
• 401k plan with matching