Senior Full-Stack Engineer

About the Role

SchooLinks is seeking Product Engineers who are empowered to own the entire product development journey. Unlike traditional roles, you will not be handed a ticket; instead, you will be responsible for identifying user problems or business goals, defining requirements, designing the user experience, implementing the solution, testing, shipping, and communicating outcomes directly to stakeholders. This is an ideal position for engineers who are passionate about product thinking, UX, and taking full accountability for their creations.

What You'll Do in Practice

• Receive context on user problems or business goals, not pre-defined specifications.
• Define your own requirements, break down work, and manage your own scope.
• Make design and UX decisions, seeking lightweight feedback as needed.
• Write code and tests, holding yourself accountable for quality.
• Communicate progress and outcomes directly to stakeholders.

This Role Might Be For You If...

• You get uncomfortable when you're too far from the outcome of your work.
• You have strong opinions about UX, not just code quality.
• Product thinking comes as naturally to you as system design.
• You take it personally when something you built doesn't land with users and you fix it without being asked.
• You've always felt constrained by the traditional boundaries between "engineering" and "product" and are ready for a role that dissolves them.

This Role Might Not Be For You If...

• You do your best work within clearly defined tickets.
• You prefer deep specialization over broad ownership.

The Stack

• Backend: Django / Python
• Frontend: React / TypeScript
• Cloud: AWS
• Database: PostgreSQL
• Task Management: Celery / Redis
• AI Tools: Claude, Cursor (used as standard practice)

What You Bring

• Demonstrated ability to own features end-to-end, from ambiguous problem to production.
• Strong Python and React proficiency, developed through real production work.
• Solid AWS and SQL experience in production environments.
• Comfort with async task management and the operational realities of production systems.
• Ability to define requirements from a problem statement, rather than waiting for a spec.
• Strong written communication skills for specs, release notes, and documentation.
• Must be based in Austin, Texas, with the ability to work in the office 1-2 days a week.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Celery, Redis.
• Familiarity with educational data standards (Ed-Fi, One Roster).
• Genuine interest in ed-tech, career exploration, or workforce development.

About SchooLinks

SchooLinks is a venture-backed ed-tech company dedicated to helping millions of students navigate their post-high school journey, including college applications, course planning, financial aid, and career exploration. With over 80 tools in production, SchooLinks is a daily resource for students and school staff nationwide.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation Range: $100,000 – $160,000 base + equity + bonus (Compensation is based on experience, skills, and location. Total package includes equity and performance-based bonus. Final offer may fall outside this range.)
• 100% healthcare coverage
• 401K with company 2% matching
• Dental & Vision
• Parental Leave
• Subsidized gym membership
• Remote work stipend
• Annual team offsite