Staff Software Engineer

At uShip, we're reimagining the technology behind one of the world's largest transportation marketplaces. We're replacing a mature monolith with a modern, cloud-native platform that enables autonomous teams, faster delivery, and continuous innovation.

As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll help execute the technical direction of that platform. You'll partner with engineering leaders and product teams to solve complex distributed systems challenges, establish engineering standards, and build the foundations that hundreds of future features will rely on.

This role is for engineers who write exceptional code but create their biggest impact by improving the effectiveness of everyone around them.

What You'll Own

• Design and deliver systems that span teams and business domains.
• Shape long-term technical strategy while balancing pragmatism, delivery, and operational excellence.
• Design resilient, scalable cloud-native services powering our next-generation marketplace.
• Lead complex technical initiatives from concept through production.
• Drive modernization efforts that safely migrate capabilities from our legacy platform.
• Create reusable frameworks, libraries, and developer tooling that accelerate engineering across the organization.
• Raise the engineering bar through thoughtful design reviews, code reviews, mentoring, and technical leadership.
• Partner with Product, Design, Security, Platform, and Data to make sound technical and business tradeoffs.
• Lead incident reviews and reliability improvements that strengthen the platform over time.

You'll Thrive Here If You

• Enjoy solving ambiguous, high-impact engineering problems.
• Can influence technical direction without relying on organizational authority.
• Care deeply about software craftsmanship and developer experience.
• Prefer simple, maintainable solutions over unnecessary complexity.
• Think in systems, not just individual services.
• Are energized by mentoring other engineers and helping teams succeed.
• Technology

Our platform is built with modern technologies including TypeScript, Node.js, React, Next.js, PostgreSQL, AWS (ECS/Fargate, Lambda, API Gateway, EventBridge, Kinesis), Terraform, GitHub Actions, OpenTelemetry, DataDog, Redis, and modern CI/CD practices. Experience with every technology isn't required—we value engineers who learn quickly and apply sound engineering principles.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years building production software.
• Experience designing and operating distributed systems in cloud environments.
• Demonstrated technical leadership across multiple teams or large initiatives.
• Strong system design, API design, and software architecture skills.
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience modernizing legacy platforms.
• Experience with AWS Cloud technologies.
• Experience with event-driven architectures.
• Experience building internal platforms or developer productivity tooling.
• Marketplace, logistics, fintech, or SaaS experience.

Why uShip

This is an opportunity to shape the technical foundation of a business-critical platform from the ground up. Your decisions will influence architecture, engineering practices, and the developer experience for years to come. If you're motivated by building platforms, solving difficult technical problems, and leaving an engineering organization stronger than you found it, we'd love to meet you.

Location: FULLY REMOTE or HYBRID optional team environment if local (HQ Austin, TX 78701)

Salary: $185,000 - $200,000 base salary ($205,000 - $225,000 estimated total comp)

*We are unable to employ remote workers in Massachusetts, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska, California, or any location outside the U.S.

*We are unable to consider candidates requiring visa sponsorship or transfer, including OPT and H-1B, now or in the future.

*We are not accepting applications from agencies or independent contractors at this time.

Why uShip?

uShip offers big-company benefits in a small-sized company because we really value and are committed to our people. There are even some extras that will surprise you.

• Remote or hybrid work options
• Monthly Wellness Reimbursements
• Home office Reimbursements
• Company paid meal delivery pass
• 100% Paid Health and Dental available
• 401(k) matching, no vesting
• Stock Options
• Pet Insurance
• Dog-friendly downtown office

Company Overview

uShip is the world’s first and largest shipping marketplace, making it quicker, easier, and more affordable to ship large or bulky items. Consumers and businesses can compare and book bids from hundreds of thousands of customer-reviewed transportation service providers, ranging from independent owner-operators to the largest freight carriers and brokers. From cars to cranes and furniture to freight, our straightforward and transparent platform helps people, businesses, e-commerce sellers, and multinational logistics companies ship with greater speed and efficiency. Customers save money and service providers make money using their empty cargo space – everyone wins!

We welcome diversity in all its forms, and believe we’re better collaborators, strategizers, and thinkers because of it. uShip is an equal opportunity employer. We are inspired to find candidates who embody our Core Values. uShip prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, parental status, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We celebrate our differences and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.