Backend Engineer (Logistics)

About The Company

Whatnot is the largest livestream shopping platform in North America and Europe, enabling users to buy, sell, and discover their favorite products. We are redefining e-commerce by blending community, shopping, and entertainment into a seamless experience.

With global hubs in the US, UK, Ireland, Poland, and Germany, we're at the forefront of building the future of online marketplaces. From fashion to rare collectibles like trading cards and comic books, Whatnot’s live auctions cater to diverse interests. We’re just getting started, and as one of the fastest-growing marketplaces, we are seeking bold problem solvers to help us continue to innovate and expand.

About The Role

The Logistics team at Whatnot is essential to supporting our sellers and buyers across the globe. We focus on all aspects of shipping, including global carrier integrations, tools for sellers to ship quickly and efficiently, accurate tracking for buyers, and much more.

As a Backend Engineer on the Logistics team, you will have the opportunity to design systems and features that enable Whatnot to scale rapidly and create a high-quality shipping experience for our users. You will work on building a robust carrier-first architecture while engineering for massive scale and global reach. This role requires you to be within commuting distance of our hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, or New York.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop backend systems and features for Whatnot’s Logistics domain, supporting a high-growth platform.
• Work on carrier integrations and shipping tools for both sellers and buyers.
• Contribute to the creation of a carrier-first architecture to handle global scale.
• Own projects from inception through production and ensure timely delivery of high-quality features.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build products that align with user needs.
• Mentor team members and foster an inclusive, supportive, and growth-focused team environment.
• Help prioritize and deliver impactful features in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software engineering experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Strong knowledge of multiple programming languages, with a focus on Python, Elixir, or JavaScript (though proficiency in these specific languages is not required).
• Excellent product instincts with a focus on delivering exceptional user experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and build inclusive, supportive teams.
• Strong ownership skills with a track record of shipping products and features quickly.
• Self-motivated, excellent problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work autonomously.
• Willingness to work on frontend tasks when necessary.
• Experience with payment systems, international commerce, or infrastructure is a plus.
• Prior experience in a high-growth, start-up environment is also a plus.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off Policy and company-wide holidays, including spring and winter breaks.
• Health insurance options, including Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• Home office setup allowance to support your work-from-home environment.
• Monthly allowance for cell phone and internet expenses.
• Monthly wellness allowance and annual childcare allowance.
• Lifetime family planning benefit, covering adoption or fertility expenses.
• 401k offering with employer match up to 4% of base salary for US employees, pension plans for international employees.
• Monthly product allowance to use the Whatnot app and engage with the platform.
• 16 weeks of paid parental leave, plus one month gradual return to work.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Whatnot is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, parental status, disability status, or any other status protected by local law. We believe our work is stronger and our company culture more vibrant when we support and encourage diverse skills and experiences across our team.