Senior Software Engineer

About Handshake

Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. 20 million knowledge workers, 1,600 educational institutions, 1 million employers (including 100% of the Fortune 50), and every foundational AI lab trust Handshake to power career discovery, hiring, and upskilling, from freelance AI training gigs to first internships to full-time careers and beyond. This unique value is leading to unparalleled growth; in 2025, we tripled our ARR at scale.

Why join Handshake now:

• Shape how every career evolves in the AI economy, at global scale, with impact your friends, family and peers can see and feel

• Work hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world’s top educational institutions

• Join a team with leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, among others

• Build a massive, fast-growing business with billions in revenue
  

About the Role

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will drive the development of critical systems that power how users join and trust our platform; spanning user acquisition, onboarding, identity, and fraud prevention. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, scalable, and high-performance software solutions. This role requires a deep understanding of software engineering principles and the ambition to lead impactful projects.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the architecture and design of platform systems that support user acquisition, onboarding, and identity infrastructure.

• Build and scale fraud prevention systems to protect the integrity of our platform.

• Develop high-quality code and implement robust testing strategies to ensure product reliability.

• Collaborate with product managers and designers to create seamless user experiences from first touch through activation.

• Mentor junior engineers to foster technical growth and innovation.
  

Desired Capabilities

• 5+ years of software engineering experience, with a backend-leaning full stack orientation.

• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++ to deliver robust solutions.

• Experience building platforms and scalable infrastructure systems.

• Experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure to enable scalable applications.

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and drive them to success.

• Excellent problem-solving skills to address complex technical challenges.

• Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with diverse teams.
  

Extra Credit

• Interest in identity, trust & safety, or fraud prevention.

Perks

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life.
The below benefits are for full-time US employees.

🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company
💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching
🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching
💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, wellness stipend
📚 Growth: Learning stipend, ongoing development
💻 Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office
🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days
🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.