Staff Software Engineer

Lead technical direction for Kins Ruby on Rails platform architect scalable systems and mentor engineers while building products that power a modern insurtech.

Kin makes life simpler more affordable and better for homeowners especially in the places where climate risks rising costs and outdated systems make it harder. We start with smarter homeowners insurance and expand to everything homeowners need to thrive.

Using data technology and thoughtful human support were building products that are clear fair and help homeowners feel confident so homeowners arent left behind when they need help most.

Founded in 2016 Kin is a remote-first employer with Kinfolk across more than 35 states. We serve customers in 13 states (and counting). Our disciplined growth strong customer satisfaction and focus on long-term sustainability fosters outstanding growth attracts marquee investors and earns recognition and accolades including:

• Built In Chicagos Best Places to Work Midsize Companies (2021-2026)

• Forbes Americas Best Startup Employers (2026)

• Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies

• Forbes Fintech 50 (2023-2026)

• Great Places to Work Certified (May 2024-May 2027)

Most importantly were building Kin to be a place where people do meaningful work with real impact for our customers our communities and each other. Were excited to tell you more about how you can contribute to our rapid growth strong unit economics profitability and excellent customer ratings. To learn more about how we work and what were building visit and see how we work.

Were looking for a Staff Software Engineer to help us scale the architecture systems and engineering practices that power Kins rapid growth.

As a recognized subject matter expert across multiple technologies youll play a high-impact role shaping full-stack architecture and influencing technical strategy across teams. You wont just write code youll define standards guide architectural decisions and ensure our systems are scalable reliable and aligned with business priorities.

This role exists because Kin is growing quickly. As we expand products states and customer experiences we need senior technical leadership that can anticipate scaling challenges reduce technical risk and mentor engineers to execute at a high level. Your work will directly impact our ability to deliver fast resilient applications for both customers and internal teams.

• Lead and define full-stack architecture within scrum team setting a clear technical vision aligned with business goals

• Write clean maintainable and efficient Ruby and TypeScript code while modeling engineering excellence

• Own architectural planning design and documentation for distributed full-stack systems

• Identify evaluate and mitigate technical risks before they impact delivery or scalability

• Mentor engineers at all levels through pair programming design reviews and technical coaching

• Partner with Product and Design to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions

• Drive continuous improvement through refactoring test automation experimentation and modern engineering practices

• Influence Kins broader architectural strategy by collaborating with engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders

• Deliver fast reliable and scalable applications that support both customer-facing and internal platforms

• Help scale our systems and teams to support Kins next phase of growth

In your first 612 months at Kin success is less about checking boxes and more about the impact you create. Youll use your skills and judgment to take ownership of meaningful work improve how we operate and help move Kins mission forward. Along the way youll deliver outcomes that make a real difference for both Kinfolk and the homeowners we serve.

By the end of your first year you should feel confident in your role trusted as an owner and proud of the progress youve helped make.

• Multiple scrum teams are aligned to a cohesive architectural vision that improves scalability and reduces technical debt

• Key systems are measurably more reliable performant and easier to evolve

• Engineering teams move faster with clearer standards better documentation and stronger technical mentorship

• Stakeholders understand the value of technical investments and make informed decisions about trade-offs and priorities

Technical & Domain Expertise

• 8 years of professional software engineering experience

• Expert proficiency in full-stack development using Ruby on Rails and Typescript (experience with Angular preferred)

• Proficiency with SQL and relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred) with exposure to NoSQL systems

• Experience designing and implementing scalable distributed and event-driven systems

• Demonstrated experience in architectural planning system design and technical documentation

• Proven ability to identify and mitigate technical risks in complex systems

Leadership & Execution

• Experience leading and guiding multiple engineering teams through execution

• Ability to operate with little-to-no technical guidance

• Experience mentoring engineers across different levels of seniority

• Ability to clearly articulate the value of technical investments to non-technical stakeholders

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex concepts

You thrive in a high-growth startup environment fast-paced ownership-driven and mission-focused and youre motivated to continue learning while elevating those around you.

We believe a great hiring experience should be clear respectful and human. Applications for this role are accepted on an on-going basis. While our recruiting team uses AI tools for efficiency resumes are still screened by Kins in-house recruiters and candidate evaluations and hiring decisions are made by recruiters and hiring teams. Rest assured real people make real decisions.

The hiring process and timeline for each role will vary depending on the position. However here are some things you can expect from us:

• Prompt updates and feedback following interviews

• Interviews with recruiters hiring managers and members of teams

• Skills assessment relevant to the position if applicable

• Genuine thoughtful human interaction at every step

This role is eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes standard coverage and additional supplemental benefits.

We dont just hire for skills. We hire for alignment. Kinfolk bring diverse perspectives but were united by a shared set of values that shape how we work and how we show up for each other and our customers.

Run through walls together - Our industry is stuck in the status quo. But Kin is different. We are challengers. Innovators unwavering in our mission to fix insurance for those who need it most. We are changing insurance for good. We roll up our sleeves take action and get impossible things done every day with grit and teamwork.

Raise the bar. Drop the ego - Attitudes are contagious. Every one of us is responsible for creating the culture we want to work in. High performance. Low drama. Always respectful. Like professional sports teams we win by working in sync. We show up work hard and play to each others strengths.

Act like an owner - We are owners fully accountable for achieving Kins mission. That requires positive proactive big-picture thinking well beyond our job descriptions. Ask questions Take ownership. Do the right thing even when its hard. Because when Kin thrives so do you. And so do our customers.

Operate lean. Deliver more - We build efficiency into everything we do. Each dollar we save gets reinvested to deliver more to our customers: better pricing more products and new innovations. We work smarter by relentlessly prioritizing and using technology including AI to multiply our impact. Lean is about focus not deprivation. Lean isnt a limitation its our competitive advantage.

Keep asking What if - We value curiosity. To make insurance better for our customers we experiment. We embrace insights. And we base decisions on data rather than assumptions. We see setbacks as opportunities for growth and are always learning and improving. Both individually and as a company.

We are a remote-first company with offices in Chicago IL and St. Petersburg FL where teams can come together for collaboration.

For Sales Agents and Customer Service Agents: These roles sit in any of the following 30 states: AL AZ CO FL ID IL IN KS KY MA MD ME MI MO MT NC NE NM NV NY OH OK PA SC TN TX UT VT VA WA and WI.

For all other positions these roles can sit in any of the following 40 states: AL AR AZ CA (exempt only) CO CT FL GA ID IL IN IA KS KY MA ME MD MI MN MO MT NC NE NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA and WI. Please only apply if you are able to live and work full-time in one of the states listed above.

For remote technical positions located in Canada we are only able to hire individuals who reside in Ontario. Applicants must be able to live and work full-time in Ontario to be considered.

State locations and specifics are subject to change as our hiring requirements shift.

Kin is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We dont just accept difference we honor it nurture it and celebrate it. We dont discriminate based on race religion color national origin gender (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender identity gender expression age status as a protected veteran status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Kin welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require accommodation please contact us by sending an email to

Required Experience:

Staff IC