Senior Software Engineer
at 23andMe
Palo Alto, United States
23andMe is looking for a Frontend-focused Senior Full Stack Engineer to lead the evolution of our public-facing web platform. You will own the Next.js platform architecture and mentor a team of junior engineers and contractors to deliver high-performance, pixel-perfect user experiences.
While this role drives the frontend vision (React/Next.js), it is a true Full Stack position. You will work in multiple codebases, meaning you must be comfortable diving into our Python/Django backend to build the APIs and data flows that power your UI.
If you are a React expert who loves crafting complex layouts and CSS, but you also know your way around AWS services and Python, this is the role for you.
Who We Are
We are a group of individuals passionate about genetic discovery. 23andMe Research Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization that enables people everywhere to access their genetic information, learn about themselves, and participate in the world's largest crowdsourced research initiative. The Institute aims to be the world's most significant contributor to scientific advancement, uniting people with the common goal of improving health and deepening our understanding of DNA — the code of life.
What You'll Do
- Own the Next.js Platform: Lead the architecture and development of our modern public-facing site using Next.js, React, and Node.
- UI & Layout Mastery: Translate design mockups into responsive, accessible, and performant web interfaces. You will set the standard for HTML semantics and CSS architecture (layouts, styling, animations).
- Full Stack Integration: Bridge the gap between client and server. You will write and modify Python/Django code to build robust APIs that support your frontend features.
- Mentorship & Leadership: Act as a technical lead for the team; code review and mentor junior engineers and manage the technical output of external contractors.
- AWS & Infrastructure: Leverage AWS services to optimize the delivery, caching, and scalability of our web applications.
- CMS Integration: Architect and maintain integrations with our Headless CMS (WordPress) to empower marketing teams.
- Optimization: Drive core web vitals, technical SEO, and A/B testing implementations (Optimizely) to maximize conversion funnels.
What You'll Bring
- 6+ years of industry experience shipping production-quality web applications.
- Frontend Expertise (Primary): Deep proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript, React, and Next.js. You understand the React lifecycle, server-side rendering (SSR), and static site generation (SSG).
- Styling & Layouts: Expert-level knowledge of HTML5 and CSS3. You are comfortable with complex layouts (Flexbox, Grid), responsive design, and ensuring cross-browser compatibility without relying solely on UI libraries.
- Backend Proficiency (Secondary): Strong familiarity with Python. You don't need to be a Python architect, but you must be comfortable writing and debugging Python code within a web framework (Django preferred) to enable your frontend work.
- Cloud Experience: Hands-on experience with AWS services (e.g., CloudFront, S3, Lambda, Amplify, RDS) and CI/CD pipelines.
- Proven ability to mentor developers, break down technical requirements for contractors, and drive code quality through reviews.
Tools we use and teach
- Frontend: React, Next.js, Node.js, TypeScript, HTML5, CSS3/SASS.
- Backend: Python, Django, RESTful APIs.
- Infrastructure: AWS, Docker.
- Tools: Headless WordPress, Optimizely.
About Us
23andMe, headquartered in California, is a leading consumer genetics and research company. The company’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. 23andMe has pioneered direct access to genetic information as the only company with multiple FDA authorizations for genetic health risk reports. The company has created the world’s largest crowdsourced platform for genetic research, with 80 percent of its customers electing to participate. 23andMe research participants consent to research conducted by 23andMe which is overseen by an independent third-party Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulated under the 'Common Rule' (45 CFR part 46). More information is available at www.23andme.com/research.
At 23andMe, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at accommodations-ext@23andme.com. 23andMe will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.
Please note: 23andMe does not accept agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Thank you.
Pay Transparency
23andMe takes a market-based approach to pay, and amounts will vary depending on your geographic location. The salary range reflected here is for a candidate based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future.
