Senior Software Engineer, Back-End Focus

The opportunity

We’re looking for a Senior Software Engineer to help us build and scale the products that power Kin’s insurance platform. As we continue to grow, we’re investing in strengthening our core systems while accelerating the delivery of new features that improve the homeowner experience.

In this role, you’ll tackle complex engineering challenges across our Ruby-based backend and Typescript front-end systems. You’ll collaborate closely with Product, QA, and cross-functional partners to ship high-quality features using Scrum methodologies. Beyond delivery, you’ll play a key role in elevating engineering standards — mentoring junior engineers, contributing to architectural decisions, and helping ensure our systems remain reliable, maintainable, and scalable.

Your responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services in Ruby, with occasional contributions in Python and Typescript
• Develop and enhance front-end functionality using modern JavaScript frameworks and Typescript
• Lead and contribute to architectural and design discussions that improve long-term system maintainability
• Ship large, complex features from concept through deployment with high quality and strong testing practices
• Participate actively in Scrum ceremonies including daily standups, sprint planning, and retrospectives
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, QA, PMO, and other engineering teams to align technical solutions with business goals
• Mentor junior engineers through pair programming, code reviews, and technical guidance
• Advocate for thoughtful technical investments and clearly articulate trade-offs to stakeholders
• Contribute to improving development workflows, tooling, and engineering best practices

Success in this role

In your first 6–12 months at Kin, success is less about checking boxes and more about the impact you create. You’ll use your skills and judgment to take ownership of meaningful work, improve how we operate, and help move Kin’s mission forward. Along the way, you’ll deliver outcomes that make a real difference for both Kinfolk and the homeowners we serve.

By the end of your first year, you should feel confident in your role, trusted as an owner, and proud of the progress you’ve helped make.

• You’ve successfully shipped multiple complex features that deliver measurable value to customers or internal stakeholders
• System reliability, performance, or maintainability has improved due to your architectural contributions
• Junior engineers demonstrate growth and increased confidence due to your mentorship and guidance
• Technical trade-offs are better understood across teams because of your clear communication and advocacy

What you’ll bringCore Experience & Technical Skills

• Demonstrated track record of shipping large, complex software projects in production environments
• Fluency in Ruby and experience working with Python or Typescript
• Experience with PostgreSQL or other relational databases
• Experience contributing to architectural design and technical decision-making
• Ability to articulate the value and trade-offs of technical investments
• Experience mentoring engineers through code reviews, pairing, or informal leadership
• Familiarity with modern JavaScript frameworks such as React, Vue, or Angular
• Experience operating within Agile/Scrum development environments

Working Style & Environment

• Comfortable in a fast-paced startup environment with evolving priorities
• Ability to operate independently with limited technical guidance
• Strong communication skills and cross-functional collaboration experience
• Located in Central or Eastern US time zones (CDT or EDT) strongly preferred

How we hireWe believe a great hiring experience should be clear, respectful, and human. Applications for this role are accepted on an on-going basis. While our recruiting team uses AI tools for efficiency, resumes are still screened by Kin’s in-house recruiters, and candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are made by recruiters and hiring teams. Rest assured, real people make real decisions.

The hiring process and timeline for each role will vary, depending on the position. However, here are some things you can expect from us:

• Prompt updates and feedback following interviews
• Interviews with recruiters, hiring managers, and members of teams
• Skills assessment relevant to the position, if applicable
• Genuine, thoughtful human interaction at every step

How we support youWe offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits program, allowing you to choose the benefits that are best for you and your family, starting on the first day of the month following your start date.

State locations and specifics are subject to change as our hiring requirements shift

EEOC statementKin is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We don't just accept difference – we honor it, nurture it, and celebrate it. We don’t discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Kin welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities.…