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Full-Time

Backend Engineer

Discovery

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

WhatNot

WhatNot

501-1,000 employees

Online marketplace for authentic collectibles

Consumer Goods

Compensation Overview

$185k - $245kAnnually

+ Equity

Senior, Expert

Washington, USA + 2 more

Category
Backend Engineering
Software Engineering
Required Skills
Elixir
Python
JavaScript
Data Structures & Algorithms
Requirements
  • 5+ years of full-time software engineering experience
  • Bachelorā€™s degree in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent work experience
  • Expert at designing and building scalable and maintainable backend systems
  • Knowledge of multiple programming languages (we primarily use Python, Elixir, JavaScript - knowledge of these in particular not required)
  • Excellent product instincts. You first think about users rather than the best technical solution
  • You are known for shipping products and features lightning-fast
  • Youā€™re an excellent problem solver and donā€™t need to be told exactly what to do
  • You can mentor others and prioritize building inclusive, supportive teams
Responsibilities
  • building the best user experience for finding and engaging with the most relevant content on the platform: streams, products and others in the community
  • understanding, building and maintaining a healthy ecosystem, where buyers find engaging content and sellers thrive with their business
  • focusing on a wide variety of problems: taxonomy, browse experience, search and recommendations algorithms, as well as content understanding
  • making data-informed decisions and shipping quickly to benefit our users
  • building scalable taxonomy and content management systems and its application to new product features and recommendation algorithms
  • prototyping new ideas quickly, and then building them for extreme scale while coordinating closely with other teams

Whatnot.com operates as an online marketplace dedicated to collectibles, particularly focusing on items like Funkos and FiGPiNs. The platform ensures that every collectible listed is 100% authentic through a rigorous verification process that includes hand authentication, providing trust and security for both buyers and sellers. It serves a community of collectors and enthusiasts who seek rare and exclusive items from popular franchises such as Marvel Comics and Star Wars. Whatnot.com distinguishes itself from competitors by charging low fees on sales and offering seller protection, which guarantees prompt and secure payments. The company's goal is to create a safe and reliable environment for collectors to buy and sell their prized items.

Company Stage

Series D

Total Funding

$464.7M

Headquarters

Marina del Rey, California

Founded

2019

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

ā†‘ 14%

1 year growth

ā†‘ 33%

2 year growth

ā†‘ 89%
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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Whatnot's recent $260M Series D funding round and $3.7B valuation highlight its strong financial health and growth potential.
  • Partnerships with major brands like Marvel Comics and Professional Sports Authentication (PSA) enhance Whatnot's credibility and market reach.
  • The expansion into livestream shopping and additional collectible categories indicates a commitment to innovation and market diversification.

What critics are saying

  • The niche focus on collectibles like Funkos and FiGPiNs may limit market size and growth potential compared to broader marketplaces.
  • Rapid expansion and scaling, including the planned increase to over 300 employees, could lead to operational challenges and cultural misalignment.

What makes WhatNot unique

  • Whatnot.com offers the largest collection of 100% authenticated collectibles, ensuring trust and security for buyers and sellers, unlike many competitors.
  • The platform's focus on niche markets like Funkos and FiGPiNs, combined with hand authentication, sets it apart from broader online marketplaces.
  • Whatnot's low fees and seller protection provide a competitive edge, making it an attractive option for both buyers and sellers in the collectibles market.

Benefits

Competitive base salary and stock options

Unlimited Vacation Policy and No Meeting Holidays

Health Insurance options including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short term disability & Long term Disability

Work From Home Support

Up to $500 monthly to spend within Whatnot App

Care benefits