Software Engineer - Backend

Looking for an experienced backend engineer with expert knowledge in Rails and AWS. You will be responsible for core product contributions, rapid-prototyping, and production-level concerns including infrastructure and security.

As a backend engineer of a fast-growing fintech startup you are going to move the needle, but it will require a split personality: Your Dr. Jekyll leans towards correctness, tight testing, and advancing the mental constructs of the organization with a series of logical hypotheses and tests; your Hyde-side is one that focuses on brutal prioritization in a sea of possibilities, good-enough testing for a code base that must be deliberately but also organically grown, and the understanding that systems must serve people, not the other way around.

Our mission is to create fair, effective, and simple financial pathways to help 100M Americans reach their financial goals. Investors include Lightspeed, Coatue and GGV. Founders are serial entrepreneurs who co-founded and served as C-suite executives at 3 FinTech unicorns.

Requirements:

- B.A. / B.S. / M.S. or strong self-taught fundamentals in computer science

- Preferred, but not required, experience in Rails

- 4+ years of industry experience, with demonstrated breadth and depth of product impact

- Ability to analyze data and distill information for business purposes

- Effectiveness as demonstrated by problem-solving skills in areas outside your expertise

- Desire to form strong professional bonds with startup-forward coworkers

What we’re like:

- Scrappy. We had a product goal and put out the MVP, collecting our first users with steady growth via paid channels in four months. We don’t cut corners when we know we’ll need them but we don’t build things without that need. We don’t like inefficiency but we dislike operationalizing one-off tasks even more.

- Risk-oriented. Everything has risk, but a mature team knows how to make these tradeoffs. That’s why we built the MVP fast––because time is your most valuable asset and is practically fungible with money in the startup world.

- Data-obsessed. We all look at data and pull it, and we believe that understanding the mechanics can yield valuable insights. Complex systems require elegant, not just simple solutions. You absolutely need to be interested in data if you want to leverage your knowledge of systems.

- Lucky. That’s how we look at this journey so far. From our timing of fundraising, to the circumstances in which we came together, to the initial product traction we’re getting, there’s no other word to describe it. We are grateful you are reading this, and we know that if you’re meant to be with us on this journey, then we will see you soon.

Kikoff: A FinTech Unicorn Powering Financial Progress with AI
At Kikoff, our mission is to provide radically affordable financial tools to help consumers achieve financial security. We're a profitable, high growth FinTech unicorn serving millions of people, many of whom are building credit or navigating life paycheck to paycheck. With innovative technology and AI, we simplify credit building, reduce debt, and expand access to financial opportunities to those who need them the most. Founded in 2019, Kikoff is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by top-tier VC investors and NBA star Stephen Curry.

Why Kikoff:

This is a consumer fintech startup, and you will be working with serial entrepreneurs who have built strong consumer brands and innovative products. We value extreme ownership, clear communication, a strong sense of craftsmanship, and the desire to create lasting work and work relationships. Yes, you can build an exciting business AND have real-life real-customer impact.

🏥 Medical, dental, and vision coverage - Kikoff covers the full cost of health insurance for the employee!

📈 Stock Options

🏝 Generous unlimited vacation policy to help you recharge

💰 US salary range for this full-time position consists of base + equity + benefits

Visa sponsorship available: Kikoff is willing to provide sponsorship for H1-B visas and U.S. green cards for exceptional talent.

Regular team building events to help you get to know the Kikoff team and soo much more!

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 

Kikoff Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.

Please reference the following information for more information:

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdfhttps://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf 

Compensation Range: $237K - $353K