Sr. Software Engineer, Backend

At Acorns, our mission is to look after the financial best interests of the up-and-coming, beginning with the empowering, proud step of micro-investing. How do we accomplish our mission? Our values.

Lead With Heart - With compassion, integrity, and tenacity, inspire yourself and others to move past all previous thresholds of possibility

Make Bold Decisions - We are creating a new world. Be optimistic, adventurous, and courageous. Leap fearlessly into the future

Always Build Trust - Say what you mean, mean what you say, and do what you say you’re going to do. We are all owners. We are one team

Never Stop Growing - Change IS the constant. Stay hungry and curious. Be relentless in the pursuit of progress

Find a way - Never settle, no excuses, nothing is impossible. Just make it happen

Our values guide us, and our mission drives us. Come join us and help deliver financial wellness for the whole family, putting the tools of wealth-making into everyone’s hands.

Acorns is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to serve as a technical pillar for the team that builds and scales our core investment offerings. In this role, you will go beyond execution—you will be responsible for the technical integrity and architectural evolution of systems that help millions of customers build long-term wealth. You will tackle sophisticated technical challenges, provide mentorship to emerging talent, and ensure our backend infrastructure remains resilient as we expand our suite of financial wellness tools.

Acorns is a remote-first organization, offering the flexibility to work remotely while providing optional access to office space in Irvine, CA.

What you will do at Acorns:

• Analyze and solve interesting business and technical challenges. You’ll dive deep into complex problems, using your experience to find elegant solutions that keep our systems running smoothly.

• Develop software architecture that stands the test of scale and time. We aren’t just building for today; you’ll design robust, sustainable systems that grow alongside our customers.

• Champion our customers at every turn. By approaching every architectural solution with empathy, you’ll ensure that the work we do directly improves the financial lives of the people we serve.

• Collaborate and lead with heart. You’ll partner closely with your manager and teammates to set priorities, helping us decide which new features, infrastructure improvements, and tools will have the biggest impact.

• Be a mentor and a guide. You’ll have the opportunity to support junior engineers through shorter projects, sharing your knowledge and helping them grow their technical skills and careers.

• Bridge the gap between tech and business. You’ll talk to people across the company, acting as a friendly expert who can explain complex backend concepts and help align our technical work with our big-picture mission.

What you will bring to Acorns:

• A substantial career history in software engineering, typically evidenced by 8–10 years of experience (or 5+ years with an advanced degree).

• Expert-level command of backend systems design and architectural best practices.

• Professional experience with Ruby on Rails is highly preferred (though not mandatory).

• Advanced proficiency with Postgres is highly recommended (though not mandatory).

• Experience navigating AWS environments is preferred to help us maintain a scalable cloud presence.

• Experience with TypeScript is a plus.

• Previous experience within the Financial Industry or fintech space is a plus.

• A track record of exercising sound judgment when selecting methods and techniques for solving non-routine engineering problems.

• Hunger to deliver game-changing products.

• Exceptional drive and precision in delivery.

• A belief that your work is tied to your life's mission.

• Optimistic about the potential of societal change.

You are not expected to have experience with all listed requirements. If you feel passionate about Acorns' mission, vision, and values, please apply.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary and stock options.

• A comprehensive benefits package for you and your family.

• Flexible work location, hours, and paid time off.

• 401(k) matching.

• Monthly Acorns account contribution & GoHenry account for your family.

• Mindfulness and Financial Wellness resources, Headspace and Addition Wealth.

• Acorns Career Development Program (Ongoing training sessions, development plans, development check-ins, Cornerstone’s online training platform).

• Roots Leadership Program for Emerging Leaders.

• Community week onsite gatherings and various virtual events.

• Talented and motivated team members who care deeply about one another, our mission, and our customers.

• The rare opportunity to create a new world. We inspire one another every day to do meaningful work that solves big societal challenges.

About Acorns:

Acorns is a financial wellness app that helps everyday people and families save and invest money for the long term. Since 2014, Acorns has grown into a global company with multiple life-stage products serving the needs of kids, teens, adults, and parents. Named one of Time’s “World’s Best Brands of 2024,” Acorns has helped over 14 million people save & invest over $25 billion dollars, much of it from spare change and small amounts.

Compensation Information:

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $200,000 and $217,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity grants, and discretionary cash bonus awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Work Authorization:

Acorns participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. For more information about E-Verify, please visit www.e-verify.gov.