GitLab
Intermediate Backend Engineer (Ruby), Switchboard
Job Summary
This role involves developing backend features for the Switchboard product within GitLab's SaaS platform, emphasizing secure, well-tested, and performant code. The engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams including product management, frontend developers, and SREs to improve the application's functionality and quality. Candidates should have experience with Ruby on Rails, scalable systems, CI/CD, and a strong understanding of DevOps practices. The position offers opportunities for learning and contributing to open source projects in a fully remote, inclusive environment.
Required Skills
Benefits
Job Description
GitLab is an open core software company that develops the most comprehensive AI-powered DevSecOps Platform, used by more than 100,000 organizations. Our mission is to enable everyone to contribute to and co-create the software that powers our world. When everyone can contribute, consumers become contributors, significantly accelerating the rate of human progress. This mission is integral to our culture, influencing how we hire, build products, and lead our industry. We make this possible at GitLab by running our operations on our product and staying aligned with our values. Learn more about Life at GitLab.
Thanks to products like Duo Enterprise, and Duo Workflow, customers get the benefit of AI at every stage of the SDLC. The same principles built into our products are reflected in how our team works: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier. All team members are encouraged and expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact across our global organization.
As a backend engineer joining our GitLab Dedicated Group, you'll collaborate with our talented team to build Switchboard, an innovative customer portal that supports our GitLab Dedicated single-tenant SaaS offering. Switchboard serves both our valued Dedicated customers and internal GitLab teams, including our SREs. The contributions you make will create meaningful impact and reach millions of users worldwide. Learn more about the Switchboard Team here.
In this role, you'll develop backend functionality while following established best practices and GitLab guidelines. You'll work closely with frontend engineers, SREs, product managers, engineering managers, and product designers to enhance and expand the Switchboard application.
At GitLab, we embrace open source principles wholeheartedly. Our complete handbook is accessible online, allowing you to explore details about upcoming releases and understand the product vision you'll help bring to life.
What You'll Do
- Build impactful features: Develop secure, well-tested, and performant improvements to the Switchboard product
- Collaborate cross-functionally: Partner with Product Management and diverse stakeholders (Frontend, SRE, and others) to iterate on innovative features within the GitLab ecosystem
- Write exceptional code: Create code that meets our high standards for style, maintainability, and best practices in large-scale web environments. Champion these standards through thoughtful code review
- Drive independent success: Confidently deliver features and improvements with growing autonomy, while collaborating on larger initiatives
- Enhance user experience: Improve the overall product experience by elevating backend feature quality both within your group and across teams
- Identify opportunities: Recognize areas for improvement throughout the codebase and contribute to meaningful enhancements
- Foster learning: Share knowledge, learn from others, and teach fellow engineers. Every team member brings valuable perspectives regardless of their industry experience
- Resolve critical issues: Address prioritized items from our issue tracker, including bugs with severity and priority labels
- Embrace our workflow: Contribute to and follow our established processes alongside Switchboard Engineers and the broader GitLab community
What You'll Bring
- Technical expertise: Professional experience with Ruby on Rails
- Platform experience: Background working with platforms or complex applications (large-scale experience is welcomed)
- Deployment knowledge: Familiarity with building and deploying software using CI/CD or internal tooling
- Systems thinking: Understanding of distributed, scalable, and reliable systems
- Modern DevOps: Experience with contemporary DevOps platforms (GitLab experience is a plus)
- Communication skills: Strong English language proficiency for success in our remote, asynchronous environment
- Clear communication: Ability to articulate complex technical, architectural, and organizational challenges while proposing comprehensive solutions
- Performance focus: Experience identifying, diagnosing, and preventing performance and optimization issues
- Agile comfort: Enthusiasm for highly agile, iterative software development processes
- Positive mindset: Solution-oriented approach to challenges
- Collaborative spirit: Natural inclination toward communication, inclusion, and transparency
- Self-direction: Self-motivated with excellent organizational abilities
- Values alignment: Commitment to our company values and working in accordance with them
- Remote readiness: Ability to flourish in a fully remote organization
Nice to Have
- Vue.js experience
- Familiarity with GitLab as a user or contributor
- Product company background
- Remote team collaboration experience
- Enterprise software company experience
- Developer platform/tool industry knowledge
- Global or multicultural team experience
Important note: We understand that everyone's journey is unique, and we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement listed above. We believe diverse perspectives and experiences strengthen our team.
About Our Team
You'll join a dynamic technical team that's newly formed within a visible and growing group at GitLab. You'll have opportunities to learn from experienced engineers while also shaping the future direction of the Switchboard application. This presents an exciting opportunity for a Backend Engineer to contribute to and help build this innovative application. Learn more about the Switchboard Team here.
Country Hiring Guidelines: GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process.
Privacy Policy: Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us.
GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.
GitLab
From planning to production, bring teams together in one application. Ship secure code more efficiently to deliver value faster.
See more jobsSafe Remote Job Search Tips
Verify Employer Thoroughly
Research the company's identity thoroughly before applying. Check for a professional website with contacts, active social media, and LinkedIn profiles. Verify details across platforms and look for reviews on Glassdoor or Trustpilot to confirm legitimacy.
Never Pay to Get a Job
Legitimate employers never require payment for applications, training, background checks, or equipment. Always reject upfront payment requests or demands for bank details, even if they claim it's for purchasing necessary work gear on your behalf.
Safeguard Your Personal Information
Protect sensitive data like SSN, bank details, or ID copies. Share this only after accepting a formal, written job offer. Ensure it's submitted via a secure company system or portal, never through insecure channels like standard email attachments.
Scrutinize Communication & Interviews
Watch for communication red flags: poor grammar, generic emails (@gmail), vague details, or undue pressure. Be highly suspicious of interviews held only via text or chat apps; legitimate companies typically use video or phone calls.
Beware of Unrealistic Offers
If an offer's salary or benefits seem unrealistically high for the work involved, be cautious. Research standard pay for similar roles. Offers that appear 'too good to be true' are often scams designed to lure you into providing information or payment.
Insist on a Formal Contract
Always secure and review a formal, written job offer or employment contract before starting work or sharing final personal details. Ensure it clearly defines your role, compensation, key terms, and conditions to avoid misunderstandings or scams.