Staff Software Engineer, Backend at HubSpot

United States

$226.2k - $361.9k

POS-29231 About the Team The Objects Platform team owns the APIs that power how customers, partners, and external developers build on HubSpot’s object model. Our public APIs are a critical product surface — enabling integrations, data syncing, and platform extensibility at scale. We’re at an inflection point. Historically, our APIs have been treated as secondary. We are now investing to make them primary — reliable, consistent, and delightful to build against. This is a high-visibility effort with executive attention and meaningful product partnership. About the Role We are hiring a Staff Software Engineer to lead the modernization and strategic evolution of HubSpot’s public API platform. This is not an incremental optimization role. This is an opportunity where you'll be redefining API standards, improving developer trust, and driving broad, high-impact change across a large and complex surface area. You will work autonomously on exceptionally complex problems that span API design, scalability, data consistency, integration boundaries, and long-term architectural direction — while partnering closely with Product and Engineering leadership. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will: Own the technical direction for HubSpot’s public APIs, setting standards for contract design, versioning, and developer experience. Design and ship new APIs while refactoring legacy APIs into simple, consistent, and stable interfaces. Lead large, cross-cutting improvements that prioritize usability, reliability, and long-term maintainability. Build and operate high-volume, scalable data APIs supporting significant read and write workloads. Architect systems that safely synchronize and connect multiple distributed systems with clear, stable contracts. Reduce technical complexity and modernize legacy patterns to create durable, adoptable solutions. Act as a force multiplier by mentoring engineers, influencing cross-team technical decisions, and raising the API craftsmanship bar across the organization. Partner with Product and Engineering leadership to shape API strategy and execution sequencing. Leverage AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude) to enhance productivity and code quality while maintaining strong engineering standards. Model HubSpot’s Engineering Leadership Mission and consistently operate at Staff-level reliability expectations. What We’re Looking For We define Staff Engineers as highly productive, deeply impactful engineers who work autonomously on complex challenges and help set technical direction across their product group. For this role, you bring: Significant experience designing and owning public APIs used by external developers (not just internal services). A strong point of view on API contracts — including versioning, backward compatibility, clarity, and developer ergonomics. Experience building and scaling high-volume read/write data APIs with strong reliability and performance characteristics. Experience in systems integration or data synchronization, creating stable contracts across distributed systems. A track record of delivering large, high-impact technical changes — not just optimizing components, but redefining patterns and standards. Demonstrated cross-team influence: mentoring engineers, driving adoption of best practices, and shaping technical direction beyond your immediate team. Deep reliability mindset: designing fault-tolerant systems, simplifying complexity, and improving operational outcomes. Typically 10+ years of industry experience (not required, but common at this level). Why This Role Is Unique High leverage impact: You will influence the API surface that powers the majority of integrations and external platform development at HubSpot. Strategic shift moment: This role is part of a deliberate move to make APIs a primary product offering — not an afterthought. Platform-wide influence: The standards and patterns you define will shape both external and, over time, internal APIs. Rare scope at Staff level: You’ll combine hands-on architectural leadership, deep API craftsmanship, and cross-organizational influence in one of the most foundational layers of the product. Pay & Benefits The cash compensation below includes base salary, on-target commission for employees in eligible roles, and annual bonus targets under HubSpot’s bonus plan for eligible roles. In addition to cash compensation, some roles are eligible to participate in HubSpot’s equity plan to receive restricted stock units (RSUs). Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay. Individual compensation packages are tailored to your skills, experience, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. This resource will help guide how we recommend thinking about the range you see. Learn more about HubSpot’s compensation philosophy. Benefits are also an important piece of your total compensation package. Explore the benefits and perks HubSpot offers to help employees grow better. At HubSpot, fair compensation practices aren’t just about checking off the box for legal compliance. It’s about living out our value of transparency with our employees, candidates, and community. Annual Cash Compensation Range: $226,200—$361,900 USD We know the confidence gap and impostor syndrome can get in the way of meeting spectacular candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply — we’d love to hear from you. If you need accommodations or assistance due to a disability, please reach out to us using this form. At HubSpot, we value both flexibility and connection. Whether you’re a Remote employee or work from the Office, we want you to start your journey here by building strong connections with your team and peers. If you are joining our Engineering team, you will be required to attend a regional HubSpot office for in-person onboarding. If you join our broader Product team, you’ll also attend other in-person events, such as your Product Group Summit and other gatherings, to continue building on those connections. If you require an accommodation due to travel limitations or other reasons, please inform your recruiter during the hiring process. We are committed to supporting candidates who may need alternative arrangements Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Germany Applicants: (m/f/d) - link to HubSpot's Career Diversity page here. India Applicants: link to HubSpot India's equal opportunity policy here. About HubSpot HubSpot (NYSE: HUBS) is an AI-powered customer platform with all the software, integrations, and resources customers need to connect marketing, sales, and service. HubSpot's connected platform enables businesses to grow faster by focusing on what matters most: customers. At HubSpot, bold is our baseline. Our employees around the globe move fast, stay customer-obsessed, and win together. Our culture is grounded in four commitments: Solve for the Customer, Be Bold, Learn Fast, Align, Adapt & Go!, and Deliver with HEART. These commitments shape how we work, lead, and grow. We’re building a company where people can do their best work. We focus on brilliant work, not badge swipes. By combining clarity, ownership, and trust, we create space for big thinking and meaningful progress. And we know that when our employees grow, our customers do too. Recognized globally for our award-winning culture by Comparably, Glassdoor, Fortune, and more, HubSpot is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with employees and offices around the world. Explore more: HubSpot Careers Life at HubSpot on Instagram HubSpot may use AI to help screen or assess candidates, but all hiring decisions are always human. More information can be found here. By submitting your application, you agree that HubSpot may collect your personal data for recruiting, global organization planning, and related purposes. We may use CLEAR ID Verification during the hiring process to confirm your identity and help maintain a safe, secure, and trusted experience for all candidates. Refer to HubSpot's Recruiting Privacy Notice for details on data processing and your rights.