Staff Software Engineer

cloud-native applicationsAPIsCI/CDautomated testingsoftware designarchitecturecode qualityobservabilitymonitoringreliability

About the Role

About the role

We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design and delivery of a new, cloud-native platform. This engineer will work across teams to translate business capabilities and architectural direction into scalable, maintainable software while helping establish the engineering practices and technical foundations needed to support the platform long term.

The Staff Software Engineer will operate as a hands-on technical leader, partnering closely with Engineering, Product, Architecture, and external delivery partners. This role requires someone who can move comfortably between architecture and implementation, make pragmatic technical decisions, identify risks early, and help multiple engineering teams deliver effectively without sacrificing long-term system quality.

What you will do

Serve as a hands-on technical leader for the design, development, and delivery of a cloud-native platform.
Partner with Product, Engineering, and Architecture teams to turn business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
Lead technical design discussions and guide architectural decisions across applications, APIs, integrations, data flows, security, reliability, and scalability.
Develop production-quality software while remaining actively involved in implementation and code reviews.
Establish and champion engineering best practices, including:
Software design and architecture
Code quality and review standards
Automated testing
CI/CD and deployment automation
Observability and monitoring
Reliability and production readiness
Drive technical decision-making by evaluating tradeoffs and recommending practical, long-term solutions.
Identify and mitigate technical, architectural, integration, and delivery risks early.
Collaborate across multiple engineering teams to ensure consistency while supporting team autonomy.
Create and maintain technical documentation, including design documents, architecture decision records, and implementation plans.
Partner with engineering leadership to improve planning, dependency management, and delivery predictability.
Mentor and coach engineers, helping grow technical capabilities across the organization.
Support production operations and continuously improve platform performance, reliability, and supportability.

Who You Are

A senior technical leader with deep software engineering expertise and a strong systems-thinking mindset.
Experienced designing and building modern cloud-native applications and platforms.
Equally comfortable discussing architecture, writing code, reviewing designs, and mentoring engineers.
Skilled at translating ambiguous business problems into clear, executable technical solutions.
Strong understanding of application architecture, APIs, integrations, data flows, scalability, security, and reliability.
Experienced influencing technical direction across teams without relying on direct authority.
Comfortable evaluating tradeoffs and making pragmatic decisions that balance speed, quality, and maintainability.
Proven ability to identify risks early and drive resolution across complex technical environments.
Strong collaborator who can communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Passionate about engineering excellence, continuous improvement, and building sustainable solutions.
Experienced working with distributed teams, including contractors and vendor partners.
Dedicated to mentoring others and elevating the technical capabilities of the broader engineering organization.

Why Work at Symetra

Here’s what some of our employees have to say about why they work at Symetra:

““I was referred to Symetra by a family friend who’s been with the company for years—and I’m so glad I took their advice. Symetra truly puts its people first. I’ve always felt supported, not micromanaged, and that trust has helped me grow. I started in an entry-level position and have worked my way up to Unit Manager by continuously learning and expanding my skills. It’s a place that believes in its employees and invests in their success.” - Morgan D., Sr. Unit Manager

“"Symetra will spoil you. There aren't many companies that will put as much effort into you being a success as Symetra. The culture will challenge you but simultaneously put you at ease. Failure is seen as integral to the learning process so there is less reason to be fearful of it." - Kerry S., Sr. Systems Analyst

What we offer you

Benefits and Perks

We don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to our employees. Our programs are designed to make your life better both at work and at home.

Flexible full-time or hybrid telecommuting arrangements
Plan for your future with our 401(k) plan and take advantage of immediate vesting and company matching up to 6%
Paid time away including vacation and sick time, flex days and ten paid holidays
Give back to your community and double your impact through our company matching
Want more details? Check out our Symetra Benefits Overview

Compensation

Salary Range: $141,600 - $236,000 plus eligibility for annual bonus program

Please review Symetra’s Remote Network Minimum Requirements:

As a remote-first organization committed to providing a positive experience for both employees and customers, Symetra has the following standards for employees’ internet connection:

Minimum Internet Speed: 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, in alignment with the FCC's definition of "broadband."
Internet Type: Fiber, Cable (e.g., Comcast, Spectrum), or DSL.
Not Permissible: Satellite (e.g., Starlink), cellular broadband (hotspot or otherwise), any other wireless technology, or wired dial-up.

When applying to jobs at Symetra you’ll be asked to test your internet speed and confirm that your internet connection meets or exceeds Symetra’s standard as outlined above.

Identity Verification

Symetra is committed to fair and secure hiring practices. For all roles, candidates will be required (after the initial phone screen) to be on video for all interviews. Symetra will take affirmative steps at key points in the process to verify that a candidate is not seeking employment fraudulently, e.g. through use of a false identity.

Failure to comply with verification procedures may result in:
Disqualification from the recruitment process
Withdrawal of a job offer
Termination of employment and other criminal and/or civil remedies, if fraud is discovered

We empower inclusion

At Symetra, we aspire to be the most inclusive insurance company in the country. We’re building a place where every employee feels valued, respected, and has opportunities to contribute.

Inclusion is about recognizing our assumptions, considering multiple perspective, and removing barriers. We accept and celebrate diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives, because lifting each other up fuels thought and builds a stronger, more innovative company. We invite you to learn more about our efforts here.

Creating a world where more people have access to financial freedom

Symetra is a national financial services company dedicated to helping people achieve their financial goals and feel confident about the future. In our daily work, we’re guided by the principles of Value, Transparency and Sustainability. This means we provide products and services people need at a competitive price, we communicate clearly and openly so people understand what they’re buying, and we design products—and operate our company—to stand the test of time. We’re committed to showing up for our communities, lifting up our employees, and standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Join our team and help us create a world where more people have access to financial freedom.

For more information about our careers visit https://symetra.eightfold.ai/careers

Work Authorization

Employer work visa sponsorship and support are not provided for this role. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at hire and must maintain authorization to work in the United States throughout their employment with our company.

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