Senior Software Engineer, Backend - Seoul Studios

About the role

Join the Seoul Studios team to develop the infrastructure behind Tinder's newest interactive dating features. You will design and maintain high-performance backend systems while collaborating with a cross-functional group to launch products for a global user base. In this capacity, you will own the technical decisions that shape user-facing functionality and directly influence the reliability of the service. The role requires a proactive mindset to identify bottlenecks and implement resilient solutions under tight schedules. You will work alongside industry experts to solve complex problems that impact millions of users daily. Your contributions will ensure that the platform remains scalable and responsive as feature demands evolve.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and maintain backend services that support real-time user interactions.
• Manage the full lifecycle of features from initial design to production deployment.
• Balance system performance and reliability requirements during rapid development cycles.
• Collaborate with mobile, web, design, and data teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Conduct code reviews and provide technical mentorship to other engineers.
• Support A/B testing and experiment-driven product development.
• Implement monitoring and alerting strategies to ensure system health and uptime.
• Optimize database queries and infrastructure to reduce latency and improve scalability.
• Participate in on-call rotations to address production incidents and service disruptions.
• Translate business requirements into technical specifications that guide engineering execution.
• Evaluate new technologies and tools to enhance the development pipeline and product capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with security standards and best practices across all backend components.

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience in backend software engineering.
• Expertise in building distributed systems that handle high traffic with low latency.
• Proficiency in Java or Kotlin, specifically using Spring or WebFlux.
• Experience managing relational databases, NoSQL solutions like DynamoDB or Redis, and Kafka messaging systems.
• Practical knowledge of Kubernetes and cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
• Ability to work independently and lead technical projects.
• Professional fluency in English for cross-timezone collaboration.
• Ability to travel internationally without restrictions.

Nice to have

• Background in real-time technologies including WebRTC, WebSockets, or media streaming.
• Experience with data processing tools like Flink, Spark, or ElasticSearch.
• History of taking products from initial concept to launch.
• Familiarity with AI tools to improve development workflows.
• BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

Practical notes

• This is a hybrid position requiring three days of in-office work per week in Seoul.

The role of a Senior Software Engineer within Seoul Studios is critical to the success of emerging product initiatives. You will be responsible for designing the architecture that enables seamless user engagement and for maintaining the robustness of live services. Your work will involve close coordination with product managers and designers to align technical strategies with business goals. You will lead the implementation of features that require careful consideration of scalability and performance under load. The position demands a deep understanding of software engineering principles and a commitment to writing clean, maintainable code. You will also play a key role in debugging complex issues and ensuring that production environments operate smoothly. Collaboration with engineers across different time zones is a core aspect of the position, requiring strong communication skills and cultural sensitivity. This role offers the opportunity to work on high-impact projects that reach a global audience. By leveraging your technical expertise, you will help drive the evolution of the company's dating platforms. The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating ambiguity and making informed decisions in a fast-paced environment. You will contribute to the technical roadmap while mentoring junior developers and fostering a culture of excellence. The position requires a balance of autonomy and teamwork, as you will both lead initiatives and collaborate closely with peers. Ultimately, your contributions will help ensure that the products delivered meet the highest standards of quality and user satisfaction.