Staff full‑stack engineer to own cross‑stack architecture and deliver high‑impact features quickly. Work on a React/React Native app and Node.js/TypeScript and Go backends, set technical direction, mentor a small squad, contribute to the open AT Protocol ecosystem, and integrate agentic AI tooling to boost team productivity.
What if social media worked more like the web — open, flexible, and full of possibility? That's the future we’re building at Bluesky. 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 staff engineer to come do the best work of their career here.
This is a staff IC role. You won't manage people. You'll do something harder: help set the technical direction for a team and the standard everyone builds to. We're looking for someone operating at a staff level today, who has owned hard problems across a large system and been the person their team trusted to make the right calls.
Most senior engineering jobs are some version of maintaining a large system or optimizing a mature product. This is different. Our app is still taking shape, the protocol underneath it is still being invented, and the team is small enough that one exceptional engineer can change the trajectory of the whole thing. You'll ship features used by millions within weeks, not quarters. You'll make architectural calls that many other engineers build on.
We think this is the most interesting moment to be a builder in years. Agentic coding is changing what a small team can do, and we're leaning into it. We're looking for someone who is already living in that future and is excited to define what an AI-native engineering team looks like.
This is a rare opportunity to work on something that matters. Social media shapes how billions of people connect and stay informed, and right now it's almost entirely controlled by companies optimizing for attention. Bluesky is the bet that it can be open instead, and built on a protocol that no one owns but everyone shares.
- Cross-Stack Engineering: Work across the entire stack, including a React Native app (iOS, Android, web) and Node.js/TypeScript and Go backend services.
- System Design: Build foundational systems and make critical technical design decisions that accelerate overall development speed; Own large, ambiguous problems from conception to completion.
- Setting the Standard: Establish the bar for excellence in system architecture, code reviews, and shipping velocity.
- Team Multiplier: Raise the technical standard for the entire team and mentor others on how to gain maximum leverage from modern engineering tooling.
- Team Mentorship: Mentor a small squad (2–4 engineers), setting technical direction and upholding a high bar for code quality through mentorship and rigorous code reviews.
- High-Fidelity Feature Delivery: Deliver major features to users that actively define the future direction of the product.
- Ecosystem Contribution: Actively contribute to the open-source AT Protocol and Bluesky ecosystem.
- Engineering Leadership: 10+ years of experience (5+ in management) building consumer-scale products and integrating AI coding tools to act as a force multiplier for the team; People who work with you get better. Your reviews, your designs, and your instincts raise the level of whole teams
- Full-Stack React Expertise: Deeply experienced in TypeScript, React, and React Native (iOS/Android/Web), with a focus on motion-rich, high-polish interfaces.
- Technical Decisions: You've made major technical decisions that mattered, and you've lived long enough with the consequences to know which ones were right
- Agentic AI: You already use agentic coding tools every day, and you have specific, opinionated views about where they create leverage and where they break down
- Technical Ownership: Proven ability to own complex areas end-to-end—from scoping and sequencing to delivering in fast-paced, autonomous environments.
- Product Intuition: A UI/UX-focused engineer who understands social app mechanics and sweats the details of the user experience.
We’re especially excited if you have:
- Startup or social media product experience
- Been a founder or part of an early team
- Worked with distributed or federated systems, real-time feeds, or content delivery at scale
- Familiarity with the AT Protocol, or a real itch to work on open protocols and open source
- Production Go, and experience with SQL or NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, Scylla/Cassandra)
Additional Information:
We're a fully remote team. This role requires significant overlap with Pacific Time (PT) working hours.
To learn more about us, check out bsky.social and atproto.com.
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $200,000 to $270,000, excluding equity. Equity will be considered in the total compensation package. The final base salary will be based on geographic location, experience level, skill set, training, licenses, and certifications.
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Insurance • Marketing Tech • Software • Analytics
Configure and support SAP reporting within the Record-to-Report OneGL program. Build CDS views, develop/configure reporting solutions, create test scripts, troubleshoot defects, support month-end close, and collaborate with onshore/offshore teams for implementation, enhancement, and training.
Top Skills:
AbapAnalysis For OfficeCore Data Services (Cds)EclipseSap Analytics CloudWeb Intelligence
Digital Media • Information Technology • News + Entertainment
Field-based enterprise sales role responsible for developing territory strategy, prospecting and acquiring mid-market and multi-location enterprise customers, delivering face-to-face presentations, managing relationships, meeting financial targets, and coordinating with internal teams. Requires knowledge of managed services, networking technologies, and strong sales, communication, and customer-retention skills.
Top Skills:
23)Business ContinuityCustomer Premise Equipment (Cpe)CybersecurityDisaster RecoveryEthernetInternet TechnologiesLanManNetwork SecurityNetworking Protocols (Layers 1SdwanVoipVpnWanWdm
Digital Media • Information Technology • News + Entertainment
Drive territory strategy and acquire/retain mid-market and enterprise multi-location customers through direct and partner channels. Prospect, deliver face-to-face presentations, negotiate deals, meet/exceed sales targets, and coordinate internal teams to ensure service and operational excellence. Maintain sales records, stay current on competitive landscape and network technologies, and support customer retention.
Top Skills:
23)Business ContinuityCustomer Premises Equipment (Cpe)CybersecurityDisaster RecoveryEthernetInternet TechnologiesLanManNetwork DesignNetwork SecurityNetworking Protocols (Layers 1SdwanVoipVpnWanWdm
What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene
With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.
Key Facts About Colorado Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
- Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute
