Lead Software Engineer
Bumble
Software Engineering
Austin, TX, USA
USD 225k-255k / year + Equity
Posted on Apr 8, 2026
We’re looking for a Lead Backend Software Engineer to help shape the core systems that power the Bumble Dating experience. This role is ideal for engineers who are experienced in building and delivering end-to-end features, comfortable owning projects independently, and ready to contribute meaningfully to technical architecture and mentoring junior teammates. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional partners to deliver high-impact work in a fast-moving environment.
What you'll do
- Design, implement, and maintain backend systems that are scalable, secure, and reliable, using AWS-native services.
- Drive individual projects from inception to delivery, owning the full software development lifecycle.
- Collaborate with Product Managers, Designers, and other Engineers to ship new features and improvements.
- Apply AI-based development tools and workflows to enhance productivity and code quality.
- Participate in architecture discussions and propose technical solutions that support long-term scalability.
- Support junior engineers through pairing, mentoring, and code reviews.
- Contribute to engineering standards and best practices to maintain a high-quality codebase.
Minimum Requirements
- 8+ years of professional experience in backend software engineering.
- Experience acting in a lead role wherein you contribute to architecture, design, and mentorship
- Proven ability to run projects autonomously and deliver production-ready systems.
- Strong proficiency in one or more backend programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Node.js, Kotlin).
- 4+ years working with cloud environments (preferably AWS), including deployment and monitoring.
- Exposure to secure API design, distributed systems, and microservices architecture.
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines and containerization tools like Docker or Kubernetes.
- Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform) and observability platforms (e.g., Datadog, Prometheus)
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative, inclusive mindset.
Why Join Us
- Own meaningful projects that directly impact millions of Bumble users.
- Learn and grow in a high-performing engineering team committed to mentorship and learning.
- Be part of a culture that values respect, excellence, curiosity, courage and joy.
- Enjoy competitive compensation, equity, and world-class benefits.
Location
- This role is based in Austin, and we ask that you’re within a commutable distance to this office, so that you’re able to come onsite regularly to collaborate across engineering teams.
- We have a hybrid environment that requires you to be in the office Monday - Wednesday.
Please note: We are unable to offer Visa sponsorship at this time
About Us
Bumble Inc. is the parent company of Bumble Date, BFF, and Badoo. The Bumble platform enables people to build healthy and equitable relationships, through Kind Connections. Founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014, Bumble was one of the first dating apps built with women at the center and connects people across dating (Bumble Date) and friendship (BFF). BFF is a friendship app where people in all stages of life can meet people nearby and create meaningful platonic connections and community based on shared interests. Badoo, which was founded in 2006, is one of the pioneers of web and mobile dating products.
AI Fluency
AI is important to us. We’re excited by people who are curious and experimental, and who think thoughtfully about how AI can amplify their impact and outcomes.
We encourage you to use AI responsibly as you prepare your application. Please don’t use it to fabricate experiences or answer questions live in interviews. We care deeply about authenticity and want to understand your real skills, judgment and voice, because building a meaningful, genuine connection with you matters to us.
Final Compensation
Will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s qualifications, relevant experience, skill set, and other job-related considerations.
Benefits & Perks
Insurance: Medical/dental/vision, 30-day eligibility. Bumble has multiple competitive offerings that will be available to you on the first of the month following date of hire.
Unlimited PTO + 1 company-wide week off + Focus Fridays every week
Fully paid life and long-term disability insurance
401k with 4% company match if you contribute 6%, 90-day eligibility
Monthly wellness benefit and access to Noom, Unmind, and Your Money Line
Maternity and Fertility benefit + 26 week paid parental leave
Premium App Access
Inclusion at Bumble Inc.
Bumble Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and we strongly encourage people of all ages, colour, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent people to apply. We're happy to make any reasonable adjustments that will help you feel more confident throughout the process, please don't hesitate to let us know how we can help.
In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example: she/her, he/him, they/them, etc).
AI in Bumble Inc. Hiring
At Bumble, we may use AI tools to support parts of our recruitment process — such as helping us record, transcribe, and summarize conversations, and supporting job alignment by comparing resumes and job descriptions to highlight skills and potential roles that may be a good match. These tools help us work more efficiently and stay focused on you during our conversations. Importantly, all hiring decisions are made by people. AI is used only to support our team’s efficiency and improve the candidate experience — not to evaluate or decide on your candidacy. Participation in AI-supported interviews and conversations is completely voluntary and will not impact your candidacy. If you’d prefer to opt out, simply let your recruiter or interviewer know at the start of a call, or anytime during the interview or conversation. Summaries and related data are retained only as long as needed in line with our internal data retention policies. If at any point you’d like a transcription or summary deleted, please contact your recruiter directly.
225000 - 255000 USD a year
For base compensation, we set standard ranges for all roles based on function, level, and geographic location. This position is also typically eligible to participate in our short- and long-term incentive programs. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) match, Unlimited Paid Time Off Policy.
- Maven Fertility: $10,000 lifetime benefit for fertility, adoption, abortion care, and more.
- 26 Weeks Parental Leave: For both primary and secondary caregivers.
- Family & Compassionate Leave: Inclusive of domestic violence recovery.
- Unlimited Paid Time Off: Take the time you need.
- Company-wide Week Off: Annual collective rest for the entire company.
- Focus Fridays: No meetings, emails, or deadlines—just deep work.