Sr. Backend Engineer - App Team

What if social media worked more like the web — open, flexible, and full of possibility? That’s the future Bluesky is building. Our app is already used daily by millions, but it’s just the beginning: underneath it is a protocol designed for an entire ecosystem of apps, all connected by the same social graph. We're looking for a backend engineer who loves building scalable, reliable systems that power compelling consumer experiences. You'll join a small, fast-moving team where your code will serve millions, your architectural decisions will shape the platform's foundation, and your ideas will help invent the future of social networks. About the role: You'll be joining the team responsible for the backend systems powering Bluesky's flagship app — a multi-platform social client already in the hands of millions. Your work will directly enable the features people use every day and will shape how the AT Protocol scales to support an entire ecosystem of applications. This role is perfect for someone who loves backend systems: designing clean APIs, optimizing for scale and performance, and building infrastructure that feels invisible when it works well. We're a small, fast-moving team, so you'll have the freedom to ship quickly, influence technical architecture, and push the boundaries of what a decentralized social network can do. Key responsibilities: • Ship new features and APIs in our Node.js/TypeScript and Go backend services that power millions of daily active users • Design and maintain scalable backend systems that support the Bluesky app and the broader AT Protocol ecosystem • Debug and optimize performance issues using instrumentation, profiling, and strong problem-solving instincts • Build reliable infrastructure for real-time feeds, notifications, moderation, and other core social features • Collaborate closely with frontend engineers, designers, and protocol engineers to deliver polished end-to-end experiences • Contribute to the open-source ecosystem around Bluesky and the AT Protocol You might be a good fit if: • You have strong programming fundamentals and software engineering skills • You're deeply experienced with TypeScript and Node.js • You have production experience with Go • You have hands-on experience with SQL databases (MySQL or PostgreSQL) • You've built and scaled backend services for consumer applications • You understand distributed systems, databases, caching, and API design • You've worked across the full stack and understand how backend decisions impact user experience • You care about code quality, testing, and operational excellence • You have an intuitive understanding of how social apps work at scale • You thrive on small, fast-moving teams where you can own big pieces of work • You're excited to help shape the future of social networking We’re especially excited if you have the following: • Previous experience working at startups or on social media products • Experience with NoSQL databases, particularly Scylla or Cassandra • Experience with decentralized or federated systems • Familiarity with the AT Protocol or similar technologies • Background in real-time systems, feed algorithms, or content delivery at scale We're a fully remote team. This role requires significant overlap with Pacific Time (PT) working hours for collaboration with the team. To learn more about us, check out: • bsky.social • atproto.com Additional notes: The anticipated base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $230,000, excluding equity. Equity will be considered in the total compensation package. Final base salary for this role will be based on the individual’s geographic location, as well as experience level, skill set, training, licenses and certifications. Please include links to your portfolio or examples of past work in your cover letter or resume. Apply tot his job