[Remote] Staff Software Engineer - Collaborative Web Platform

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Pantheon is a company that powers over 300,000 websites globally, providing a WebOps platform for developers and marketers. They are seeking a Staff Software Engineer to lead the development of a new real-time collaborative web content platform, focusing on both backend and frontend systems while collaborating closely with product and design teams.ResponsibilitiesDesign and own the architecture of a real-time content platform — including data models, sync protocols, API surface, and client-side state managementDrive technical decisions that balance developer ergonomics, operational simplicity, and long-term scalability across a cloud-native, multi-tenant environmentDefine engineering standards for the team: API design conventions, testing strategy, performance budgets, and observability practicesEvaluate and select third-party services, libraries, and infrastructure components — with a clear framework for build vs. buy tradeoffsBuild backend services that power collaborative editing, conflict resolution, and content delivery — operating reliably at scale across a distributed cloud infrastructureBuild frontend systems that enable visual, real-time editing experiences — including page builders and publishing workflowsOwn the integration layer between the editing experience and the underlying platform: APIs, webhooks, and the developer-facing extension modelContribute meaningfully to UX architecture — not just implementation — by collaborating with design on interaction models for novel, stateful editing flowsServe as a technical partner to product and design — translating ambiguous problem spaces into concrete technical strategies and phased delivery plansMentor and elevate engineers on the team through code review, pairing, architecture feedback, and clear documentation of technical decisionsEngage with customers and partners to pressure-test architectural assumptions and ensure the platform addresses real-world integration patternsSkills10+ years of overall software engineering experience, with a strong track record of ownership across the full product lifecycleGenuine full-stack capability — you have shipped production systems on both the backend (APIs, data services, cloud infrastructure) and frontend (interactive UIs, component systems, browser performance)Experience with real-time or collaborative systems — whether content editing, multiplayer applications, event-driven architectures, or live data synchronizationCloud-native fluency: you are comfortable designing and operating services in GCP, AWS, Cloudflare, or Azure, with experience in containerization and modern deployment pipelinesAPI design expertise: you have strong opinions about REST, GraphQL, and event-driven interfaces — and know when to apply eachFrontend architecture chops: you understand component modeling, state management, rendering performance, and the browser platform at a level that goes well beyond framework familiarityBachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experienceOwners mindset: you are energized by ambiguity, take initiative without being asked, and feel personal ownership over outcomes — not just outputsClear communicator: you can translate complex technical tradeoffs for product partners, write crisp design docs, and give feedback that makes engineers betterSystems thinker: you see how architectural decisions today create optionality or debt tomorrow, and you make those tradeoffs consciouslyBuilder's patience: zero-to-one work is non-linear. You understand that the path to a great product involves iteration, dead ends, and genuine collaboration — and you thrive in that environmentExperience with visual or low-code editing interfaces (page builders, WYSIWYG editors, drag-and-drop component systems)Familiarity with CMS architectures — headless, hybrid, or traditional — and their tradeoffs in real-world deploymentsExperience building developer-facing platforms or extension systems (SDKs, plugin APIs, CLI tooling)Contributions to open-source projects in the web platform or developer tooling ecosystemBenefitsIndustry competitive compensation and equity planFlexible time off, sick days, and 13 paid holidaysComprehensive medical insurance including Health, Dental and VisionPaid parental leave (plus fertility, adoption and other family planning benefits)In-office workspace (San Francisco & Chicago)Monthly allowance for wellness, reading and access to LinkedIn Learning for continued developmentEvents and activities both team-based and company wide that inspire, educate and cultivateCompany OverviewPantheon is a website operations platform that provides custom application services. It was founded in 2010, and is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA, with a workforce of 501-1000 employees. Its website is https://pantheon.io.