Senior Staff Software Engineer-Backend

Overview

As the Senior Staff Software Engineer for Scout Motor’s digital products, you will be responsible for leading a team of highly skilled software engineers and driving the development of digital solutions for our customers and business partners. Some of the key products as part of digital portfolio are – order management, customer management, marketing, production, inventory and planning optimization, loyalty, merchandise, servicing and repairs, mobile app, vehicle connectivity, and more. You will work with engineering managers, senior engineers, and cross-functional partners to design the technical underpinnings of the product. At the same time, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to be hands-on building key systems and will be directly responsible for the successful delivery of complex and large-scale technical efforts as well acting as a technical mentor and leader for other engineers.

What you’ll do

Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:

• Define and drive the long-term technical strategy for critical digital platforms that span multiple product domains and engineering organizations.
• Partner with senior engineering, product, and business leaders to shape technology investments, platform strategy, and architectural direction.
• Lead the definition of scalable architectural patterns, platform capabilities, and engineering standards used across the digital ecosystem.
• Drive resolution of highly ambiguous and business-critical technical challenges whose outcomes influence multiple products, teams, or functions.
• Identify opportunities to simplify systems, reduce technical debt, and improve organizational engineering effectiveness at scale.
• Lead large, multi-year technical initiatives and provide technical oversight across multiple concurrent programs.
• Build alignment among diverse stakeholders and influence strategic technical decisions across organizational boundaries.
• Serve as a recognized technical authority for backend systems, platform architecture, and software engineering practices.
• Develop and mentor senior engineers, staff engineers, and emerging technical leaders.
• Represent engineering in strategic discussions involving external partners, technology vendors, and executive stakeholders.
• Shape Scout's engineering culture by elevating technical excellence, innovation, and long-term thinking across the organization.
• Drive the adoption of AI-assisted development across teams by defining best practices, evaluating tools, and mentoring engineers.

Location & Travel Expectations:

• This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in San Ramon, California.
• This role requires 3 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events. Subject to change. 
• Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.

What you’ll bring 

We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring: 

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years of experience building and scaling complex software platforms, including significant experience influencing technical strategy at an organizational level.
• Deep expertise in distributed systems architecture, platform engineering, APIs, microservices, cloud-native technologies, and large-scale backend ecosystems.
• Proven track record of defining architectural direction that spans multiple teams, organizations, or product domains.
• Demonstrated success leading highly complex initiatives with significant business, customer, or operational impact.
• Experience establishing engineering standards, reference architectures, and technical governance practices across an organization.
• Recognized expertise in evaluating strategic technology decisions, including platform selection, build-versus-buy analysis, and long-term technical investment planning.
• Exceptional ability to influence senior technical and business stakeholders without direct authority.
• Proven record of mentoring senior engineers and developing future technical leaders.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership to align technical strategy with business objectives.
• Experience representing engineering in strategic engagements with external partners, vendors, and technology providers.
• Strong understanding of organizational scaling challenges, platform evolution, and enterprise architecture practices.  

What you'll gain

The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up.  This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation.  In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:

• Competitive insurance including:
  • Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
• 401(k) program with:
  • An employer match and immediate vesting
• Generous Paid Time Off including:
  • 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
  • 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
  • Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
  • Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave

Pay Transparency

This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.

Initial base salary range = $180,000.00 - $220,000.00

Initial California, Washington and New York base salary range= $209,000 - $253,000

Internal leveling code: IC7