We dream big and chase the hard problems others shy away from. Rejecting long-held assumptions is part of our company's DNA. Where conventional wisdom says you have to choose – soft or durable, speed or rigor, quality or price – we ask why that trade-off has to exist in the first place.
Our pace is fast and the bar is high because our customers expect a lot from us and we refuse to let them down. We believe the best results come from challenging ourselves, learning from one another, and building on each other's strengths.
Here, responsibility is not determined by role, tenure, or seniority. Every team member - no matter their level - has the opportunity to drive our business and shape our trajectory.
If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you.
THE ROLE
Software Development Engineer - 3 (Backend)
We’re looking for a Software Development Engineer - 3 (Backend) to join our growing engineering team. In this role, you will lead the design and development of highly scalable, reliable backend systems that power our core products. You will solve complex technical challenges, drive architectural decisions, and play a key role in shaping the technical direction of the team.
Success in this role means delivering robust, high-performance systems at scale, proactively identifying and solving ambiguous problems, and influencing engineering excellence across teams. You will also mentor engineers, drive best practices, and contribute to building a high-performing engineering culture. This position is critical to enabling scalable growth and supporting Quince’s mission of delivering exceptional quality at incredible value.
Responsibilities
Lead the design and implementation of scalable, resilient backend systems and services
Own architectural decisions and drive system design for complex, high-scale distributed systems
Identify and solve deeply complex technical challenges related to scalability, performance, and reliability
Define and drive short-term and long-term technical strategy for backend systems
Establish and enforce high standards for code quality, system design, and engineering best practices
Review and guide design and code across teams to ensure consistency and excellence
Mentor and develop engineers across levels, fostering a strong engineering culture
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, data, infra) to drive end-to-end delivery of impactful solutions
Proactively identify areas of improvement in system architecture, performance, and developer productivity
Drive initiatives around system observability, reliability, and operational excellence
Contribute significantly to hiring, team building, and raising the bar for engineering talent
Qualifications
Strong computer science fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, and system design
5+ years of experience in backend development using Java, Spring/Spring Boot
Deep expertise in building and scaling high-traffic, distributed systems
Strong experience with SQL and NoSQL databases and data modeling at scale
Proven experience in designing fault-tolerant, highly available systems
Ability to drive architecture and influence technical decisions across teams
Strong debugging and problem-solving skills for complex, large-scale systems
Experience working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with high ownership
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Demonstrated experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives
Preferred
Experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred) and cloud-native architectures
Strong understanding of microservices architecture and distributed systems patterns
Experience with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and infrastructure automation
Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
Experience driving large-scale system migrations or architectural transformations
Prior experience in high-growth startups or consumer internet companies.
WHY QUINCE?
Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY
Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form. We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds
At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.
