Staff Software Engineer

Axios

. Lead mission-critical or high-risk initiatives spanning teams and connected systems .

Posted 9/23/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $165,000 - $215,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in leading complex software development initiatives, with a strong focus on architecture, production systems, and AI-enabled practices. Capable of mentoring engineers, driving multi-quarter projects, and ensuring system reliability, scalability, and security.

Highest-signal resume keywords

7+ Years Software Development ExperienceHands-On Experience with JavaScript or TypeScript and ReactExperience with APIs and Production ServicesProficiency in Agentic Coding ToolsStrong Skills in Code Review and Risk Assessment

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

JavaScriptTypeScriptReactNext.jsGoPythonSQLSchema DesignTesting PracticesWeb Security

Soft Skills

Problem FramingTeam AlignmentClear CommunicationCuriosityMentoring

Tools & Technologies

Claude CodeCodexCursorGitHub Copilot

Industry Keywords

Production SystemsAI PatternsOperational ReadinessTechnical DebtUser Experience

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

JavaScriptNext.jsPythonReactSQLTypeScriptGo

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead mission-critical or high-risk initiatives spanning teams and connected systems
Frame problems, align ownership and dependencies, make tradeoffs explicit, and drive production adoption
Own architecture for a product area and scalable boundaries across frontend, APIs, data, and production systems
Lead design reviews and establish standards within the sphere of influence
Write and review code, prototype, debug, lead migrations, and operate services in production
Identify where models, agents, retrieval, or automation create value and build reusable capabilities with measurable behavior and guardrails
Improve testing, performance, observability, security, and operational readiness
Anticipate systemic risks, address technical debt, and help lead resolution and learning during critical production issues
Mentor mid- and senior-level engineers across teams and spread systems thinking and design patterns
Partner with product, design, and engineering leaders to shape product-area roadmaps and align dependencies
Connect technical investment to reader, editorial, and business outcomes
Drive multi-quarter initiatives from problem framing through production adoption
Establish safe, repeatable AI patterns where they add value and improve system reliability, scalability, security, observability, and changeability

Requirements

What you’ll need

Typically 7+ years in professional software development, or equivalent sustained Staff-level impact, including leading complex initiatives across multiple teams or systems
Hands-on experience using agentic coding tools such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, or comparable tools for meaningful, multi-step software work
Ability to write clear strategies, specifications, and acceptance criteria; provide context; scope complex work; decide what to delegate; and redirect incomplete or incorrect approaches
Ability to critically review AI-generated code, validate assumptions, identify security, scalability, and maintainability risks, and catch plausible but wrong solutions
Hands-on experience building production interfaces with JavaScript or TypeScript and React; preferably Next.js
Hands-on experience building production services and APIs; ability to work effectively in or learn Go or Python
Experience with relational databases, SQL, schema design, transactions, and migrations
Experience with testing, accessibility, input validation, authentication, authorization, and web security practices
Ability to operate independently in ambiguity, identify high-leverage problems, align teams, make sound tradeoffs, and connect decisions to product and business goals
Ability to build alignment through clear proposals and reasoning, communicate risks and tradeoffs across functions, and drive clarity during disagreement
Curiosity about changing models, tools, and practices, paired with an evidence-based approach
Commitment to user experience, reliability, scalability, maintainable code, and effective AI-enabled practice

Benefits

Comp & perks

401(k) with employer match
Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network
Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high deductible health plan option
Dental and vision coverage
Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave
Birth-givers will have an additional 6-8 weeks depending on type of delivery, for a total of 18-20 weeks continuous leave
Generous vacation policy, plus holidays
One mental health day per quarter
Annual learning and development stipend
$100 monthly work-from-home stipend
Tele-mental health services through Headspace
OneMedical membership, including tele-health services
Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate
Inclusive fertility, hormonal health and family forming benefits through Carrot Fertility
Access to the Axios “Family Fund”, which was created to allow employees to request financial support when facing financial hardship or emergencies
Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers
Virtual company-sponsored social events
A strong and positive work environment
A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture