[Hiring] Senior Software Engineer @Purple Squirrel Enterprises

Role Description

Our client is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join their team as a high-ownership, product-minded contributor. In this role, you will take end-to-end responsibility for key features and platform components within their full-stack ecosystem:

• Ruby on Rails (backend)
• React (web)
• Flutter (mobile)

They are looking for a pragmatic engineer who doesn't just implement tickets — but actively shapes the product experience by understanding user needs and engineering tradeoffs. You will own your work from architectural design through production deployment, ensuring the reliability and performance of systems that directly impact individual care.

If you thrive in high-growth, mission-driven environments and are energized by complex engineering challenges where reliability and usability truly matter, this role is for you.

What Success Looks Like

• First 30 Days:
  • You have a working local development environment and have made your first meaningful code contribution to production.
  • You understand the core product, the users it serves, and the workflows it supports.
  • You have reviewed the existing codebase and begun forming a perspective on architecture, technical debt, and near-term priorities.
  • You are actively participating in engineering discussions and asking the right questions.
• First 60 Days:
  • You have taken full ownership of at least one feature or platform component — from design through deployment.
  • You have demonstrated product-minded thinking by surfacing gaps, edge cases, or user experience considerations that were not in the original spec.
  • You are operating with meaningful autonomy — moving work forward without waiting to be directed.
  • You have built strong working relationships with your engineering teammates and cross-functional partners.
• First 90 Days:
  • You have delivered multiple features end-to-end and are recognized as a reliable, high-ownership contributor.
  • You have identified and addressed at least one meaningful area of technical debt or system fragility.
  • You are actively contributing to engineering culture — through code reviews, documentation, mentorship, or process improvements.
  • Leadership sees you as someone who makes the team better — not just someone who ships code.

What You'll Do

• Build and maintain features across the full stack (Ruby on Rails, React, Flutter), taking end-to-end ownership from initial design through production deployment.
• Act as a product-minded partner, translating complex user needs — often in early or ambiguous stages — into intuitive, technically sound solutions.
• Operate with high autonomy, driving architectural decisions and navigating ambiguity to solve impactful engineering challenges.
• Elevate the engineering culture by setting high standards, mentoring teammates, and simplifying processes to help the team move faster as they scale.
• Proactively balance feature velocity with long-term system health by identifying and addressing technical debt before it becomes a bottleneck.
• Prioritize pragmatic simplicity, ensuring the team builds only what is necessary to validate assumptions and deliver value, while resisting complexity that hinders agility.
• Ensure the reliability and performance of critical systems by taking ownership of production issues and implementing sustainable fixes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software engineering experience with a proven track record of owning features from conception to production deployment.
• Deep proficiency in Ruby on Rails — you understand the framework's nuances and know how to build, maintain, and scale robust backend systems.
• Product-first mindset — you treat code as a tool to solve user problems; you are comfortable questioning requirements, identifying gaps in user stories, and advocating for the best technical solution.
• Technical rigor — deep understanding of relational database design, query optimization, and architectural trade-offs; you prioritize maintainability and security (e.g., HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance) in every decision.
• Strong communication skills — in a remote-first environment, your ability to document decisions and communicate asynchronously is as critical as your coding skills.
• Adaptability — experience working in fast-paced startup environments where requirements evolve and ambiguity is the norm.
• U.S. work authorization — our client is not able to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

Nice to Have

• Experience building software where reliability is paramount (e.g., healthcare, fintech, or life-safety applications).
• Direct experience with the frontend stack (React, Flutter).
• Hands-on experience with AWS and modern DevOps practices.
• Certifications will bolster your application.
• Experience with systems that interact with physical devices or operate in low-connectivity environments.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base compensation: Target Base salary range of $140,000 – $160,000 (commensurate with experience) with a benefits package built to support your whole life. Final offer will reflect the depth and relevance of your background.
• 100% company-paid medical coverage (base plan) via a leading national carrier.
• Dental & vision coverage available.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Company-paid life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• 24/7 virtual primary care and mental health support at no additional cost.
• Lifestyle Spending Account — monthly stipend for wellness, personal use, and company swag.
• Birthday and work anniversary stipends.
• Flexible PTO + company holidays.
• Fully remote work environment.
• Mission-driven work with real, measurable impact on vulnerable populations.

The Interview Process

• 1. Recruiter Screen (with PSE): Logistics, compensation alignment, role fit, and mission overview (30 min).
• 2. Role & Culture Fit Interview: A conversation with an Engineering team member covering your background, role expectations, and team values alignment (60 min).
• 3. Practical Engineering Assessment: A collaborative, conversational problem-solving session focused on real-world scenarios and technical trade-offs (not a take-home or live coding test) (60 min).
• 4. Product & Leadership Alignment: A deep dive with an Executive into your product intuition, cross-functional collaboration style, and engineering vision (45 min).

Why This Role — And Why Now

• Real problems, real stakes — you are building systems that directly affect the safety of people receiving care.
• High-growth trajectory — this company is scaling rapidly, with significant expansion already underway.
• True engineering ownership — this is not a ticket-execution role; you will influence architecture, product direction, and team standards.
• High-trust, collaborative culture — small team, strong relationships, fast decisions, and leadership that is accessible and engaged.
• Career growth — high visibility with leadership and a real opportunity to grow as the company scales.
• Authentic mission — this company was built around a cause that matters, and that authenticity permeates everything they do.

Working With Purple Squirrel Enterprises

We are exclusively engaged by this client — meaning we are not one of many agencies submitting resumes. We are their dedicated recruiting partner, embedded in their process, and we know this role inside and out.

• You will have a dedicated PSE point of contact throughout the entire process.
• We will advocate for you with the hiring team to make sure the role is mutually beneficial — not just pass along your resume.
• We will prepare you for each interview stage so you can put your best foot forward.
• We will provide honest, timely feedback at every step.
• We will support you through offer negotiation to ensure the outcome is right for you and the company.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. They welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.