Senior Software Engineer

About the role

At Duolingo, we are dedicated to developing the best education in the world and making it universally available. As a senior iOS Software Engineer on the Onboarding team, you will own the design and implementation of the onboarding experience for millions of new learners joining each quarter. You will take full ownership of complex iOS features from initial concept through production launch and ongoing optimization, partnering closely with product managers and designers to translate high-level learning goals into pixel-perfect, high-performing mobile interfaces. Your work will directly influence how millions of users take their first steps on the platform and form their initial impression of Duolingo. You will ensure these experiences are engaging and data-driven, using experimentation to validate hypotheses and iterate quickly in a fast-paced environment where shipping impactful improvements is a daily reality.

What you'll do

Collaborate with product managers and designers to define and drive user growth initiatives for the onboarding funnel.

Develop, release, and maintain native iOS applications using Swift, ensuring a high-quality user experience across a wide range of devices.

Design and implement robust networking layers and data parsing logic to integrate with backend services that support learning workflows.

Investigate and resolve complex production issues related to performance, crashes, and memory leaks in the iOS application.

Write and maintain comprehensive unit and UI tests to guarantee the stability and reliability of new and existing features.

Optimize application performance, including launch time, responsiveness, and battery efficiency, to meet strict quality standards.

Partner with data scientists and analysts to instrument events, track key metrics, and validate the success of experiments through quantitative analysis.

Contribute to code reviews by providing constructive feedback and ensuring that all implementations adhere to the team's architectural standards.

Work cross-functionally with backend engineers, designers, and product managers to align on technical constraints and product requirements.

Support the continuous improvement of the development process by adopting new tools, best practices, and automation within the iOS ecosystem.

Requirements

Hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.

Possess a solid foundation in computer science, including strong competencies in data structures, algorithms, and software design principles.

Have 5-10 years of professional experience programming in Swift for iOS applications.

Demonstrate a deep understanding of iOS frameworks such as UIKit and SwiftUI, as well as the iOS build and release process.

Be willing to relocate to Beijing, China, as this position is based in Beijing.

Show a proven commitment to Duolingo's mission of making education universally available and accessible to all learners.

Be comfortable working in an agile environment using Scrum or similar methodologies to manage sprints and deliver incremental value.

Possess strong problem-solving skills and the ability to debug issues in complex, multi-layered applications.

Nice to have

Have a Duolingo streak.

Be proficient in both spoken and written English.

Practical notes

This is a full-time, onsite position based in Beijing, China.

Relocation to Beijing is required for this role.

Candidates must be authorized to work in China without sponsorship.

The application and interview process is ongoing; early application is encouraged.

Compensation

The offered salary is dependent upon several factors, including work experience, skills, and internal peer comparisons. The posted range is subject to change in the future. For this role, base salary is supplemented by equity compensation. We encourage you to talk with your recruiter for more information related to compensation for this role!

Salary Range: ¥804,949 - ¥1,088,971 CNY

Benefits

Take a peek at how we care for our employees' holistic well-being with our benefits here.

Job Alerts

Sign up for job alerts here.

Accommodations

We will do everything we can within reason to make sure that your interview takes place in an environment that fairly and accurately assesses your skills. If you need assistance or accommodation, please contact accommodations@duolingo.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon 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 any other status protected by applicable law.