Progress Lead (Backend)

TL;DR

Progress Lead (Python/Django): Own the technical direction of Degree Progress product, evolving from search-based to SAT solver–driven architecture with an accent on algorithm-to-product integration, purpose-built testing frameworks, and system reliability. Focus on designing scalable systems for complex degree requirements, ensuring correctness across massive edge cases, and driving engineering excellence through best practices and mentoring.

Location: Hybrid in San Mateo, CA (US)

Salary: $210K – $235K

Company

Fast-growing edtech startup backed by leading investors, partnering with top universities like Cornell, Columbia, UVA, and Ohio State to support over 1M students across 7 countries.

What you will do

• Own Degree Progress systems end-to-end, orchestrating SAT solver results into trusted user-facing experiences.
• Partner with algorithms lead for seamless compute-to-product integration across edge cases.
• Design and implement purpose-built testing frameworks for complex, variable degree requirements.
• Ensure system correctness, reliability, and explainability with performance guarantees.
• Drive technical prioritization aligned with product goals and engineering excellence.
• Mentor on best practices, design patterns, and code quality.

Requirements

• 5+ years backend engineering at scale as technical lead
• Strong intuition for correct, explainable systems in edge-case-heavy domains
• Experience with purpose-built testing frameworks for complex logic
• Expertise in debugging non-trivial correctness verification
• Deep backend experience with high-level languages/frameworks
• Comfort with async/event-based architectures
• Clear communication for cross-team collaboration

Nice to have

• Curiosity, customer empathy, and mentoring junior developers

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible, outcome-driven culture with trust and autonomy
• Competitive salary, meaningful equity
• Health insurance (99% premium covered + 75% dependents)
• 401(k), commuter benefits, annual international retreats