Fast Facts

Quizlet is looking for a Staff Software Engineer to lead the engineering of their external API platform and LearnOS plugin architecture in San Francisco. The role involves designing APIs for partner experiences and mentoring fellow engineers.

Responsibilities: Design and implement APIs, develop MCP and agentic services, lead cross-team initiatives, and mentor engineers.

Skills: 8+ years of backend or platform engineering experience, expertise in API design, understanding of agent frameworks, and hands-on expertise with containerized services and API security.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include fluency with system design and proven ability to lead architectural transformation.

Location: San Francisco, CA

Compensation: $197631 - $296446 / Annually

About Quizlet:

At Quizlet, our mission is to help every learner achieve their outcomes in the most effective and delightful way. Our $1B+ learning platform serves tens of millions of students every month, including two-thirds of U.S. high schoolers and half of U.S. college students, powering over 2 billion learning interactions monthly.

We blend cognitive science with machine learning to personalize and enhance the learning experience for students, professionals, and lifelong learners alike. We’re energized by the potential to power more learners through multiple approaches and various tools.

Let’s Build the Future of Learning

Join us to design and deliver AI-powered learning tools that scale across the world and unlock human potential.

About the Role

We’re seeking a Staff Software Engineer to lead engineering on Quizlet’s external API platform and LearnOS plugin architecture. You’ll define integration patterns for partner applications, guide API best practices, and build infrastructure that enables seamless learning workflows across external platforms and AI agents.

We’re happy to share that this is an onsite position in our San Francisco office. To help foster team collaboration, we require that employees be in the office a minimum of three days per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday and as needed by your manager or the company. We believe that this working environment facilitates increased work efficiency, team partnership, and supports growth as an employee and organization.

In this role, you will:

• Design and implement APIs powering partner experiences and agentic workflows.
• Develop MCP and agentic services to build the LearnOS of Quizlet.
• Lead cross-team initiatives to deliver secure, rate-limited, and discoverable APIs.
• Build infrastructure for Quizlet widgets and embedded experiences in LMSs, productivity tools, or creative apps.
• Mentor engineers and influence platform development standards.

What you bring to the table:

• 8+ years of backend or platform engineering experience, with expertise in API or developer platforms.
• Strong track record designing extensible, secure APIs, SDKs, and plugin systems.
• Understanding of agent frameworks like MCP, protocol design, and AI/LLM interoperability.
• Experience building platform abstractions and developer enablement layers.
• Hands-on expertise with containerized services, OAuth2, gRPC/REST, and event-driven systems.
• Fluency with platform security, privacy, and system design.
• Proven ability to lead architectural transformation while shipping continuously.

Compensation, Benefits & Perks:

• Quizlet is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Salary transparency helps to mitigate unfair hiring practices when it comes to discrimination and pay gaps. Total compensation for this role is market competitive, including a starting base salary of $197,631 - $296,446, depending on location and experience, as well as company stock options.
• Collaborate with your manager and team to create a healthy work-life balance
• 20 vacation days that we expect you to take!
• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance (100% employee and 75% dependent PPO, Dental, VSP Choice)
• Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan with company match
• Access to LinkedIn Learning and other resources to support professional growth
• Paid Family Leave, FSA, HSA, Commuter benefits, and Wellness benefits
• 40 hours of annual paid time off to participate in volunteer programs of choice

Why Join Quizlet?

 🌎 Massive reach: 60M+ users, 1B+ interactions per week

 🧠 Cutting-edge tech: Generative AI, adaptive learning, cognitive science

 📈 Strong momentum: Top-tier investors, sustainable business, real traction

 🎯 Mission-first: Work that makes a difference in people’s lives

 🤝 Inclusive culture: Committed to equity, diversity, and belonging

We strive to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome!

We work to create a holistic interview process, where both Quizlet and candidates have an opportunity to view what it would be like to work together, in exploring a mutually beneficial partnership.

We provide a transparent setting that gives a comprehensive view of who we are!  

In Closing:

At Quizlet, we’re excited about passionate people joining our team—even if you don’t check every box on the requirements list. We value unique perspectives and believe everyone has something meaningful to contribute. Our culture is all about taking initiative, learning through challenges, and striving for high-quality work while staying curious and open to new ideas. We believe in honest, respectful communication, thoughtful collaboration, and creating a supportive space where everyone can grow and succeed together.”

Quizlet’s success as an online learning community depends on a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

As an equal opportunity employer and a tech company committed to societal change, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Come join us!

To All Recruiters and Placement Agencies:

At this time, Quizlet does not accept unsolicited agency resumes and/or profiles. 

Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our website or to any Quizlet employee. Quizlet will not pay fees to any third-party agency or firm nor will it be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. All unsolicited resumes received will be considered the property of Quizlet.

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