Own and drive complex platform workstreams end-to-end — from engineering design docs through implementation, launch coordination, war room monitoring, and ongoing support.
Design, build, and operate high-quality, high-throughput distributed backend services with clear SLOs, robust observability, and well-run on-call/incident response practices.
Analyze and refine service and data architectures; propose and lead new systems that improve reliability, scalability, and operational excellence.
Establish and champion engineering standards through rigorous design reviews, production readiness, on-call ownership, and continuous improvement of instrumentation and alerting.
Partner with Legal, Finance, and Policy to deliver compliance-ready solutions across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks, balancing urgency with long-term maintainability.
Drive the adoption of modern technologies and AI toolsets to accelerate development, improve quality, and increase delivery velocity; mentor peers and influence platform roadmaps.
Contribute across critical fulfillment domains — earnings, pricing, routing, batching, matching, dispatch, and geospatial — delivering solutions that directly impact customers, shoppers, and partners.

Requirements

7+ years of backend software development experience delivering scalable, production systems end-to-end.
Proficiency in at least one backend language such as Ruby, Python, or Go.
Hands-on experience building and operating large-scale distributed backend services with defined SLOs, on-call ownership, observability, and incident response.
Proven track record independently leading complex, cross-functional projects with high ambiguity and hard external deadlines.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including authoring technical artifacts (e.g., ERDs, design docs) and coordinating launches with non-engineering stakeholders.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Benefits

Instacart provides highly market-competitive compensation and benefits in each location where our employees work.
Flexible work arrangements.
New hire equity grant as well as annual refresh grants.
Professional development opportunities.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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

Hard Skills & Tools

backend software developmentRubyPythonGodistributed backend servicesSLOsobservabilityincident responsedata architecturesengineering design

Soft Skills

communication skillsleadershipproject managementmentoringcollaborationproblem-solvingcontinuous improvementtechnical writingcross-functional coordinationadaptability

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science