Software Engineer I – Recent Graduate

At Acorns, our mission is to look after the financial best interests of the up-and-coming, beginning with the empowering, proud step of micro-investing. How do we accomplish our mission? Our values.

Lead With Heart - With compassion, integrity, and tenacity, inspire yourself and others to move past all previous thresholds of possibility

Make Bold Decisions - We are creating a new world. Be optimistic, adventurous, and courageous. Leap fearlessly into the future

Always Build Trust - Say what you mean, mean what you say, and do what you say you’re going to do. We are all owners. We are one team

Never Stop Growing - Change IS the constant. Stay hungry and curious. Be relentless in the pursuit of progress

Find a way - Never settle, no excuses, nothing is impossible. Just make it happen

Our values guide us, and our mission drives us. Come join us and help deliver financial wellness for the whole family, putting the tools of wealth-making into everyone’s hands.

Software Engineering (College Graduate)  | Acorns

Acorns is seeking current college seniors graduating in 2025 for entry-level software engineering positions across all of our engineering disciplines (Android, Backend, iOS, Web, QA). *Please note our remaining openings are only for our QA team.

Software engineers are responsible for translating high-level business requirements for new Acorns products and features into the services and data models that power them. They think critically about how to architect and build new components in a performant and scalable manner.

As a software engineer, your typical week will involve collaborating with product and other engineering teams such as mobile, frontend, and QA to plan and create new features and infrastructure to build and test reliable and cohesive financial products. Acorns strives to provide an environment where college graduates gain rapid experience, drive real impact, and receive invaluable mentorship from our seasoned engineering team.

We're looking for college graduates who love learning new technologies on the job, think creatively to solve complex problems, and enjoy working collaboratively.

Engineering Specializations:

Android:

Our Android app is loved by millions. We are looking for Android advocates who love the Android platform and want to work on a cutting edge Android app. Our app is built natively with Kotlin and our team collaborates with designers and product managers to build slick experiences for our users. 

Backend:

All of our products are built on a strong backend. We are looking for amazing software engineers to work on scalable backend services designed to securely work to help millions of customers invest and save money towards a healthier future.

iOS:

We work to make the best native iOS app in the category. Our iOS devs work closely with product and design to build cutting edge user experiences loved by millions. This has led to numerous app store features and promotion inside apple stores across the country. We also work side by side with our iOS core team and backend teams to design clean interfaces and a scalable app.

Web:

Our web team members build state of the art web applications with React and Typescript. They work closely with our mobile teams and backend teams to design clean interfaces with GraphQL.

QA (Quality Assurance):
QA engineers ensure Acorns products are reliable and high-quality by developing test plans, automating testing processes, and collaborating with engineering teams to identify and resolve issues. Join us to help deliver seamless and dependable financial experiences.

Work sponsorship is not available for this role, including Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT),  F-1 Visa program, and other visa sponsorships.

Acorns is a remote-first organization, offering the flexibility to work remotely while providing optional access to office space in Irvine, CA. This role has the option to be remote within the United States or based in our Irvine, CA office.

What you will do at Acorns:

• Learn from Engineering talent how we do craftsmanship at Acorns

• Own and develop solutions to product and coding issues 

• Contribute to the broader Engineering team by participating in peer reviews

• Deploy your code in production to millions of Acorns’ users

• Take full ownership of at least one feature, from requirements to implementation

• Identify areas for improvement and drive your vision for Acorns’ technology forward

• Contribute to and evangelize Acorns’ engineering culture

• Lead projects that involve cross-functional teams to build major new features

• Become an expert on the services or features you helped build

• Collaborate with Engineering team to build innovative solutions while bringing new ideas, technologies, and methodologies to the table

• Write high-quality code with one or more programming languages 

• Produce excellent design and development documentation 

What you will bring to Acorns:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, machine learning, mathematics, statistics, or a related field

• Required: Senior standing (Graduating 2025)

• Excellent command of one or more programming languages; Java, Scala, Ruby, Swift, Kotlin, Typescript, or Javascript  

• Exceptional communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation)

• Hunger to learn new technologies

• Passion, drive, and ability to thrive in a startup environment

• Ownership of the software you produce

• Passion for self-improvement and learning

• Understanding of design patterns, basic algorithms, and data structures

• Thirst for delivering game-changing products

• Exceptional drive and precision in delivery

• A belief that your work is tied to your life's mission

• Optimistic about the potential of societal change

You are not expected to have experience with all listed requirements. If you feel passionate about Acorns' mission, vision, and values, please apply.  

What we offer: 

• Competitive salary and stock options

• A comprehensive benefits package for you and your family

• Flexible work location, hours, and paid time off 

• 401(k) discretionary match

• Monthly Acorns account contribution & GoHenry account for your family

• Mindfulness and Financial Wellness resources, Headspace and Addition Wealth

• Acorns Career Development Program (Ongoing training sessions, development plans, development check-ins, Cornerstone’s online training platform)

• Roots Leadership Program for Emerging Leaders

• Community week onsite gatherings and various virtual events

• Talented and motivated team members who care deeply about one another, our mission, and our customers.

• The rare opportunity to create a new world. We inspire one another every day to do meaningful work that solves big societal challenges.

About Acorns:

Acorns is a financial wellness app that helps everyday people and families save and invest money for the long term. Since 2014, Acorns has grown into a global company with multiple life-stage products serving the needs of kids, teens, adults, and parents. Named one of Time’s “World’s Best Brands of 2024,” Acorns has helped over 14 million people save & invest over $25 billion dollars, much of it from spare change and small amounts.

Management Principles:

• Managers are constantly raising the bar

• Managers ensure all team members have a voice and a path

• No surprises - Managers give and receive feedback early and often

• Managers continuously assess performance action on concerns quickly

• Managers foster a resilient, results-oriented mindset

Compensation Information:

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $120,210 and $129,826/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, equity grants, and discretionary cash bonus awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Work Authorization:
Acorns participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. For more information about E-Verify, please visitwww.e-verify.gov