Senior Software Engineer, Core Experiences

Job Posting Organization:
The Wikimedia Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. Established with the vision of a world where every individual can freely share in the sum of all knowledge, the foundation believes in the potential of every person to contribute to shared knowledge and the necessity of free access to that knowledge. The organization hosts Wikipedia and various Wikimedia projects, develops software experiences for reading, contributing, and sharing content, supports volunteer communities, and advocates for policies that enable Wikimedia and free knowledge to thrive. The Wikimedia Foundation is a charitable organization that relies on donations from millions of individuals globally, with an average donation of about $1

• It is a United States 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization with offices located in San Francisco, California, USA. The foundation values diversity and strives to maintain an inclusive workplace, encouraging applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. It operates as a remote-first organization with staff members and contractors based in over 40 countries, ensuring a global reach and perspective in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Senior Software Engineer position is part of the App Growth team within the Core Experiences engineering group at the Wikimedia Foundation. This role is pivotal in enhancing the mobile app experience for users who are passionate about knowledge. The engineer will focus on web-first product experiences, APIs, and platform integrations that can be reused across mobile web and native app surfaces. The goal is to create seamless transitions from web to app, enhancing user engagement and retention. The engineer will work on building features that prompt users to explore personalized content, integrate games within the app, and ensure a smooth editing experience. The role requires collaboration with various teams, including product managers, designers, and native app engineers, to develop solutions that meet user needs while adhering to technical constraints and delivery timelines. The position is fully remote, requiring at least four hours of work between 14:00 UTC and 21:00 UTC to facilitate communication within the team.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Software Engineer will be responsible for leading the delivery of medium complexity initiatives from technical discovery through to delivery. This includes breaking down initiatives into features, managing scope, and identifying risks early. The engineer will improve mobile Wikipedia product experiences for a global audience, lead system design for medium-sized projects, and create RESTful APIs to support scalable data pipelines. They will ensure that systems and software are easy to test, observe, and debug, and will partner with cross-functional teams to shape solutions that balance user needs and technical constraints. The engineer will also prioritize high-impact technical opportunities, mentor junior engineers, and raise team standards in various areas such as code review and documentation. Additionally, they will plan work with an awareness of downstream and upstream effects and support hiring and onboarding processes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree and have at least 5 years of related professional experience, particularly in building production web applications and services. Strong proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript and frameworks like Vue.js or React is essential, along with experience in at least one backend language such as PHP, Python, Java, or Go. Applicants should have a solid understanding of responsive or mobile-first web experiences, server-side API design, and integration. Experience in a self-driven, lean environment is also required, along with a commitment to the Foundation's mission and values.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in computer science, management information systems, or a related STEM field is required. Equivalent certifications may also be considered. A Master's or Doctorate degree in a relevant field is preferred but not mandatory.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience, specifically at least 5 years in software engineering roles focused on web applications and services. Candidates should have a proven track record of building and maintaining production-level applications and should be comfortable working in a fully remote, distributed team environment.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. Additional language skills, particularly in languages relevant to the Wikimedia Foundation's global audience, would be considered a plus but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This is a fully remote position, allowing for flexibility in work location. The Wikimedia Foundation offers competitive salaries that are adjusted based on the applicant's location, skills, and experience. The anticipated annual pay range for applicants within the United States is between $113,082 and $175,725, with variations based on individual factors. For non-US applicants, compensation will be adjusted according to the country of hire. The organization is committed to maintaining an equitable and inclusive workplace, and it encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. The Foundation also provides benefits and perks to its employees, which can be discussed during the interview process.