Sr. Backend Engineer (Go/Typescript) - App Team at blueskyweb.xyz

What if social media worked more like the web — open, flexible, and full of possibility? That’s the future Bluesky is building. Our app is already used daily by millions, but it’s just the beginning: underneath it is a protocol designed for an entire ecosystem of apps, all connected by the same social graph.
We're looking for a backend engineer who loves building scalable, reliable systems that power compelling consumer experiences. You'll join a small, fast-moving team where your code will serve millions, your architectural decisions will shape the platform's foundation, and your ideas will help invent the future of social networks.
About the role:You'll be joining the team responsible for the backend systems powering Bluesky's flagship app — a multi-platform social client already in the hands of millions. Your work will directly enable the features people use every day and will shape how the AT Protocol scales to support an entire ecosystem of applications.
This role is perfect for someone who loves backend systems: designing clean APIs, optimizing for scale and performance, and building infrastructure that feels invisible when it works well. We're a small, fast-moving team, so you'll have the freedom to ship quickly, influence technical architecture, and push the boundaries of what a decentralized social network can do.
Key responsibilities:

• Ship new features and APIs in our Go and Node/TypeScript backend services that power millions of daily active users
• Design and maintain scalable backend systems that support the Bluesky app and the broader AT Protocol ecosystem
• Debug and optimize performance issues using instrumentation, profiling, and strong problem-solving instincts
• Build reliable infrastructure for real-time feeds, notifications, moderation, and other core social features
• Collaborate closely with frontend engineers, designers, and protocol engineers to deliver polished end-to-end experiences
• Contribute to the open-source ecosystem around Bluesky and the AT Protocol

You might be a good fit if you:

• You have strong programming fundamentals and software engineering skills
• Have deep experience with Go and working knowledge of TypeScript/Node.js
• Have built and scaled backend services for consumer applications
• Understand distributed systems, caching, and API design
• Have hands-on experience with SQL databases (MySQL or PostgreSQL)
• Have worked across the stack and understand how backend decisions shape user experience
• Care about code quality, testing, and operational excellence
• Thrive on small, fast-moving teams where you own significant pieces of work

We're especially excited if you have:

• Startup or social media product experience
• NoSQL experience, particularly Scylla or Cassandra
• Background in decentralized or federated systems
• Elasticsearch experience
• Familiarity with the AT Protocol or similar technologies
• Experience with real-time systems, feed algorithms, or content delivery at scale

We're a fully remote team. This role requires significant overlap with Pacific Time (PT) working hours for collaboration with the team. However, please note, there may be an on-site component to these interviews.
To learn more about us, check out:

• bsky.social
• atproto.com

Additional notes:The anticipated base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $230,000, excluding equity. Equity will be considered in the total compensation package. Final base salary for this role will be based on the individual’s geographic location, as well as experience level, skill set, training, licenses and certifications.
Please include links to your portfolio or examples of past work in your cover letter or resume.