Staff Software Engineer

Remote: yes Posted: 2026-01-08

QUICK SUMMARY

Lead technical direction for Kin’s Ruby on Rails platform, architect scalable systems, and mentor engineers while building products that power a modern insurtech.

- Lead and define full-stack architecture within scrum team, setting a clear technical vision aligned with business goals

- Write clean, maintainable, and efficient Ruby and TypeScript code while modeling engineering excellence

- Own architectural planning, design, and documentation for distributed, full-stack systems

- Identify, evaluate, and mitigate technical risks before they impact delivery or scalability

- Mentor engineers at all levels through pair programming, design reviews, and technical coaching

- Partner with Product and Design to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions

- Drive continuous improvement through refactoring, test automation, experimentation, and modern engineering practices

- Influence Kin’s broader architectural strategy by collaborating with engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders

- Deliver fast, reliable, and scalable applications that support both customer-facing and internal platforms

- Help scale our systems and teams to support Kin’s next phase of growth

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.

- Multiple scrum teams are aligned to a cohesive architectural vision that improves scalability and reduces technical debt

- Key systems are measurably more reliable, performant, and easier to evolve

- Engineering teams move faster with clearer standards, better documentation, and stronger technical mentorship

- Stakeholders understand the value of technical investments and make informed decisions about trade-offs and priorities

Technical & Domain Expertise

- 8+ years of professional software engineering experience

- Expert proficiency in full-stack development, using Ruby on Rails and Typescript (experience with Angular preferred)

- Proficiency with SQL and relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred), with exposure to NoSQL systems

- Experience designing and implementing scalable, distributed, and event-driven systems

- Demonstrated experience in architectural planning, system design, and technical documentation

- Proven ability to identify and mitigate technical risks in complex systems

Leadership & Execution

- Experience leading and guiding multiple engineering teams through execution

- Ability to operate with little-to-no technical guidance

- Experience mentoring engineers across different levels of seniority

- Ability to clearly articulate the value of technical investments to non-technical stakeholders

- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts

You thrive in a high-growth startup environment — fast-paced, ownership-driven, and mission-focused — and you’re motivated to continue learning while elevating those around you.

- Competitive salary and company equity through Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), granted as part of our standard compensation package and based on role and level

- 401(k) with company match up to 4% of eligible earnings

- Multiple medical plan options, plus dental and vision coverage

- Company-funded HSA contributions (based on medical plan selection)

- Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability

Health & Wellbeing

- A variety of supplemental benefit options, including long-term disability, critical illness, accident, legal, and pet insurance

- Access to mental health support and confidential counseling resources

- Flexible PTO for exempt employees (most employees take 15–20 days per year), plus 8 company-observed holidays

- Paid parental leave, including up to 14 weeks at 100% pay for birthing parents and 8 weeks at 100% pay for non-birthing parents

Growth & Development

- Career mobility and internal growth opportunities across the organization

- Professional development budgets for certifications, conferences, and learning available, subject to management approval

HOW WE WORK

We don’t just hire for skills. We hire for alignment. Kinfolk bring diverse perspectives, but we’re united by a shared set of values that shape how we work and how we show up for each other and our customers.

Run through walls, together - Every one of us is responsible for creating the culture we want to work in. High performance. Low drama. Always respectful. We assume the best in each other and challenge ideas, not intentions. We show up, work hard, and play to each other's strengths — because that’s how great teams win.

Raise the bar. Drop the ego - Attitudes are contagious. Every one of us is responsible for creating the culture we want to work in. High performance. Low drama. Always respectful. Like professional sports teams, we win by working in sync. We show up, work hard, and play to each other’s strengths.

Act like an owner - We are owners, fully accountable for achieving Kin’s mission. That requires positive, proactive, big-picture thinking well beyond our job descriptions. Ask questions, Take ownership. Do the right thing, even when it‘s hard. Because when Kin thrives, so do you. And so do our customers.