Software Development Engineer - 3 (Backend)

ABOUT QUINCE

Quince is a destination for builders, creators, innovators, and operators who want to come together and challenge the status quo. Our mission is simple: make really high quality essentials for really low prices, fairly and sustainably. We deliver on that mission through a unique manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) model eliminating the layers of traditional retail that add cost and result in consumers paying more than they need to. We find, build relationships with, and work directly with the manufacturing partners behind some of the world’s finest products. From there, our teams design smart, efficient operational processes and build and deploy proprietary technology, AI, and analytics to help us scale fast.

What began with a small assortment of elevated basics has quickly grown into a cross-category brand spanning apparel, accessories, home goods, and more. Today, tens of millions of people across a growing number of countries come – and return – to Quince because they trust us to deliver.

OUR CULTURE

Quince is a culture built for builders by builders. Our way of working starts with a blank sheet of paper. We question conventional thinking, use technology and data to uncover new opportunities, and move quickly to turn ideas into reality. We aren’t interested in replicating how others do retail. We’re building a better way – at a speed and scale unlike anything that’s been done before.

We dream big and chase the hard problems others shy away from. Rejecting long-held assumptions is part of our company's DNA. Where conventional wisdom says you have to choose – soft or durable, speed or rigor, quality or price – we ask why that trade-off has to exist in the first place.

Our pace is fast and the bar is high because our customers expect a lot from us and we refuse to let them down. We believe the best results come from challenging ourselves, learning from one another, and building on each other's strengths.

Here, responsibility is not determined by role, tenure, or seniority. Every team member - no matter their level - has the opportunity to drive our business and shape our trajectory.

If you’re someone who likes to imagine new possibilities and build better systems rather than plug-in to outdated ones, Quince is the place for you.

THE ROLE

Software Development Engineer - 3 (Backend)

We’re looking for a Software Development Engineer - 3 (Backend) to join our growing engineering team. In this role, you will lead the design and development of highly scalable, reliable backend systems that power our core products. You will solve complex technical challenges, drive architectural decisions, and play a key role in shaping the technical direction of the team.

Success in this role means delivering robust, high-performance systems at scale, proactively identifying and solving ambiguous problems, and influencing engineering excellence across teams. You will also mentor engineers, drive best practices, and contribute to building a high-performing engineering culture. This position is critical to enabling scalable growth and supporting Quince’s mission of delivering exceptional quality at incredible value.

Responsibilities:

Lead the design and implementation of scalable, resilient backend systems and services

Own architectural decisions and drive system design for complex, high-scale distributed systems

Identify and solve deeply complex technical challenges related to scalability, performance, and reliability

Define and drive short-term and long-term technical strategy for backend systems

Establish and enforce high standards for code quality, system design, and engineering best practices

Review and guide design and code across teams to ensure consistency and excellence

Mentor and develop engineers across levels, fostering a strong engineering culture

Collaborate with cross-functional teams (product, data, infra) to drive end-to-end delivery of impactful solutions

Proactively identify areas of improvement in system architecture, performance, and developer productivity

Drive initiatives around system observability, reliability, and operational excellence

Contribute significantly to hiring, team building, and raising the bar for engineering talent

Qualifications:

Strong computer science fundamentals including data structures, algorithms, and system design

5+ years of experience in backend development using Java, Spring/Spring Boot

Deep expertise in building and scaling high-traffic, distributed systems

Strong experience with SQL and NoSQL databases and data modeling at scale

Proven experience in designing fault-tolerant, highly available systems

Ability to drive architecture and influence technical decisions across teams

Strong debugging and problem-solving skills for complex, large-scale systems

Experience working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with high ownership

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Demonstrated experience mentoring engineers and leading technical initiatives

Preferred:

Experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred) and cloud-native architectures

Strong understanding of microservices architecture and distributed systems patterns

Experience with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and infrastructure automation

Familiarity with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes

Experience driving large-scale system migrations or architectural transformations

Prior experience in high-growth startups or consumer internet companies.

WHY QUINCE?

Joining Quince means being part of a mission-driven team reshaping retail. You will work alongside talented colleagues, tackle meaningful challenges, and contribute to building a more sustainable, accessible future for customers and partners alike.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & HIRING INTEGRITY

Quince provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applications for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Quince is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete your application or to perform the essential functions of a role at Quince, please let us know by completing this accommodation form . We review all requests individually and will work with you to determine appropriate accommodations on a case-by-case basis.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Quince will conduct background checks in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Security Advisory: Beware of Frauds

At Quince, we're dedicated to recruiting top talent who share our drive for innovation. To safeguard candidates, Quince emphasizes legitimate recruitment practices. Initial communication is primarily via official Quince email addresses and LinkedIn; beware of deviations. Personal data and sensitive information will not be solicited during the application phase. Interviews are conducted via phone, in person, or through the approved platforms Google Meets or Zoom—never via messaging apps or other calling services. Offers are merit-based, communicated verbally, and followed up in writing. If personal information is requested to initiate the hiring process, rest assured it will be through secure and protected means.