Software Engineer II

Handshake • Full-time • Hybrid in San Francisco, California, United States • $170,000 - $200,000 / year • 3w ago

Fast Facts

Handshake is seeking a Software Engineer II to help build core products that empower career discovery in the AI economy. This role involves taking ownership of features, collaborating closely with teams, and delivering full-stack solutions that engage millions of users.

Responsibilities: Own features from design to production, build scalable full-stack systems, ship reliable APIs, and contribute to architectural discussions while ensuring high performance and maintainable code.

Skills: Proficient in TypeScript, experienced with modern web stacks (React, Next.js, GraphQL, Ruby on Rails), and strong relational database knowledge (PostgreSQL).

Qualifications: 3-5 years in software engineering with a track record of independent feature ownership, strong communication skills, and comfort in fast-paced environments.

Location: This position is based in San Francisco, CA, requiring in-office work 5 days per week.

Compensation: $170000 - $200000 / Annually

About Handshake

Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. 20 million knowledge workers, 1,600 educational institutions, 1 million employers (including 100% of the Fortune 50), and every foundational AI lab trust Handshake to power career discovery, hiring, and upskilling, from freelance AI training gigs to first internships to full-time careers and beyond. This unique value is leading to unparalleled growth; in 2025, we tripled our ARR at scale.

Why join Handshake now:

Shape how every career evolves in the AI economy, at global scale, with impact your friends, family and peers can see and feel
Work hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world’s top educational institutions
Join a team with leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, among others
Build a massive, fast-growing business with billions in revenue

About the Role

As a Software Engineer II at Handshake, you'll own meaningful pieces of our core product—building the systems that power how millions of users discover opportunities, connect with employers, and launch their careers. You're past the fundamentals and ready to take on more: driving features end-to-end, contributing to technical design, and raising the bar for the engineers around you.

You'll work closely with product managers, designers, and senior engineers to ship full-stack experiences that are reliable, scalable, and user-obsessed. This is a role for someone who wants real ownership, not just tickets.

Location: San Francisco, CA | 5 days/week in-office

Own features end-to-end across frontend and backend, from technical design through production and iteration
Build scalable full-stack systems powering core user journeys—search, discovery, matching, and onboarding flows
Ship backend APIs, async workflows, and frontend experiences with a high bar for reliability and performance
Contribute meaningfully to architecture discussions, helping establish patterns the team can build on
Write clean, well-tested, maintainable code and actively participate in code reviews
Partner with product and design to translate ambiguous requirements into polished user experiences
Identify and address technical debt, system reliability gaps, and performance bottlenecks proactively

Desired Capabilities

3–5 years of professional software engineering experience building full-stack applications
Strong proficiency in TypeScript across frontend and backend surfaces
Hands-on experience with modern web stacks (React, Next.js, GraphQL, Ruby on Rails)
Solid command of relational databases (PostgreSQL) and thoughtful data modeling
Track record of owning features independently and driving them to completion
Strong communicator who collaborates well with product, design, and cross-functional partners
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and making sound tradeoffs in a fast-paced environment

Extra Credit

Experience building AI-powered products, conversational interfaces, or agentic frameworks (e.g., OpenAI APIs)
Familiarity with workflow orchestration tools like Temporal or async job systems
Exposure to marketplaces, matching systems, or multi-step onboarding flows
Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP) and deployment pipelines
Background at high-growth or scaling technology companies
Familiarity with design systems and component libraries for rapid deployment

Perks

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life.

The below benefits are for full-time US employees.

🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company

💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching

🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching

💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, $500 wellness stipend

📚 Growth: $2,000 learning stipend, ongoing development

💻 Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office

🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days

🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.

Related Jobs

Director Software Engineering

Elsevier • Full-time • Hybrid in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States • $136,100 - $252,800 / year • 2w ago

Higher Ed Software Development Team Management Technology Leadership

2w ago

Apply

Sr. Full Stack Engineer

Strategic Education • Full-time • Remote (Remote from United States of America) • $106,500 - $159,800 / year • 2w ago

Higher Ed Full Stack Engineering Agile Environment Saas Development

2w ago

Apply

Manager, Technology - Craft

Western Governors University • Full-time • Hybrid in Nashville, Tennessee, United States • $148,100 - $244,400 / year • 3w ago

Higher Ed Software Development Leadership Education Innovation

3w ago

Apply

Software Developer - AI Trainer (Remote)

Handshake • Contract • Remote (Remote from New York City, New York, United States) • $65 - $150 / hour • 3w ago

Higher Ed Software Development Contract Work Ai Training

3w ago

Apply

Programmer Analyst I and II

Community College of Baltimore County • Full-time • None • $78,839 - $144,647 / year • 3w ago

Higher Ed Software Development ERP Systems Programmer Analyst

3w ago

Apply