Staff Software Engineer

Esper

Staff Software Engineer owning scalable platform services at Esper, a GovTech company modernizing government policymaking. Designing secure, compliant systems and mentoring engineers.

Posted 9/10/2026full-timeAustin • Texas • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates extensive experience in software engineering with a focus on designing and building production systems, including strong programming skills in Java, Python, Go, or Rust. Capable of providing technical mentorship and ensuring the reliability and compliance of platforms serving government agencies.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Software Engineering ExperienceJava ProgrammingAWS Cloud ServicesDomain ModelingTechnical Mentorship

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

JavaPythonGoRustDistributed SystemsData ModelingObservabilityTechnical DocumentationAsynchronous WorkflowsInfrastructure as Code

Soft Skills

Strong Communication Skills

Tools & Technologies

AWSDockerTerraform

Industry Keywords

Government AgenciesComplianceSecurity

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSCloudDistributed SystemsDockerGoJavaPythonRustTerraform

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, build, and operate core services and product features end to end, from data model through API to production systems
Set technical direction and roadmap for assigned areas in partnership with engineering leadership
Participate fully in product development with product and design, from ambiguous problem statement through shipped feature
Model the entities, relationships, roles, and processes of government agencies and evolve the domain model as the product grows
Provide technical mentorship and design review to other engineers
Take technical ownership of significant platform areas as a senior individual contributor without direct reports
Support the reliability, security, and compliance posture of a platform serving state, local, and federal government agencies

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years of software engineering experience
Strong programming skills in a language such as Java, Python, Go, or Rust, and willingness to work primarily in Java
Experience owning services in production, including their data stores, deployment, and observability
Experience with distributed systems and asynchronous or long-running workflows
Experience with domain and data modeling, and the judgment to know when a model needs to change
Experience building production software on AWS or a comparable cloud provider
Familiarity with Docker and infrastructure as code such as Terraform
Genuine interest in the product, not just the systems underneath it
Strong communication skills — you will be working closely with all of engineering, as well as with product, design, auditors, and customer security teams
Ability to write clear, detailed technical documentation

Benefits

Comp & perks

Being a part of an innovative and collaborative team that will both support and challenge you
Significant opportunity for growth and ownership
Ability to shape Esper for the long-term
Paid holidays & unlimited PTO
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Generous parental & sick leave
401(k) retirement plan with employer match
Short/Long term disability & life insurance
Flexible spending account (FSA)
Work anniversary equity grants
Quarterly bonuses
Monthly stipend to offset remote work expenses
Office equipment allowance
Paid Time Off to participate in volunteer/community events