Senior Backend Engineer - Growth & Personalization
full-time•San Francisco
About this role
We’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join the Growth & Personalization Team behind our flagship credit-building product — one that’s already driving measurable, large-scale impact for our users and our business.
This isn’t about chasing vanity metrics or running random A/B tests. The team is our engine of impact — rapidly testing, iterating, and shipping ideas that help millions of Americans build stronger financial futures. Every project you touch already has proven traction; your mission is to amplify it through code, creativity, and data-driven decisions. At the same time, we aim to deliver personalization at every step using machine learning. You’ll own initiatives end-to-end: from rapid prototyping to production rollout, from analytics instrumentation to user-facing polish.
Requirements:
B.A. / B.S. / M.S. or strong self-taught fundamentals in computer science
4+ years of industry experience, with demonstrated breadth and depth of product impact
Proficient in backend development
Be a data-driven individual who makes decisions based on insights and metrics.
Desire to form strong professional bonds with startup-forward coworkers
Kikoff: A FinTech Unicorn Powering Financial Progress with AI
At Kikoff, our mission is to provide radically affordable financial tools to help consumers achieve financial security. We're a profitable, high growth FinTech unicorn serving millions of people, many of whom are building credit or navigating life paycheck to paycheck. With innovative technology and AI, we simplify credit building, reduce debt, and expand access to financial opportunities to those who need them the most. Founded in 2019, Kikoff is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by top-tier VC investors and NBA star Stephen Curry.
Why Kikoff:
This is a consumer fintech startup, and you will be working with serial entrepreneurs who have built strong consumer brands and innovative products. We value extreme ownership, clear communication, a strong sense of craftsmanship, and the desire to create lasting work and work relationships. Yes, you can build an exciting business AND have real-life real-customer impact.
🏥 Medical, dental, and vision coverage - Kikoff covers the full cost of health insurance for the employee!
📈 Meaningful equity in the form of RSU's
🏝 Flexible vacation policy to help you recharge
💰 Competitive pay based on experience consisting of base + equity + benefits
Location: Hybrid, 3 days onsite in San Francisco, CA.
Visa sponsorship available: Kikoff is willing to provide sponsorship for H1-B visas and U.S. green cards for exceptional talent.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Kikoff Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.
Please reference the following for more information.
What you'll do
- The Senior Backend Engineer will own initiatives end-to-end, from rapid prototyping to production rollout, and from analytics instrumentation to user-facing polish. The role focuses on amplifying proven projects through code, creativity, and data-driven decisions.
About Kikoff
Kikoff was founded in 2019 with a not-so-simple goal: make it easier for people to build credit.
And it’s working. With 2 million customers, we’re helping people achieve their credit goals, so they can build the life they deserve. And we’re just getting started.
We’re profitable, growing fast, and we’ve achieved Unicorn status. Our team is made up of data scientists, engineers, AI developers, product designers, & financial gurus.
Credit is key to big milestones — from opening a credit card to getting better rates on loans.
But there’s a catch: it’s easier to build credit, when you already have it.
Co-founders Cynthia Chen and Christophe Chong understood this first hand, so they built a solution. Kikoff’s main product is our Credit Account, a reported tradeline exclusively focused on building credit. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve added accessible features like Rent & Bill Reporting and our AI-powered Debt Negotiation tool to take the time and headaches out of leveling up your financial health. AI is a game changer—and we’re using it to make our products future-proof.
Check out our career site to see how you can help credit builders score.
Ready to join Kikoff?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Senior Backend Engineer - Growth & Personalization do at Kikoff?
As a Senior Backend Engineer - Growth & Personalization at Kikoff, you will: the Senior Backend Engineer will own initiatives end-to-end, from rapid prototyping to production rollout, and from analytics instrumentation to user-facing polish. The role focuses on amplifying proven projects through code, creativity, and data-driven decisions..
Is the Senior Backend Engineer - Growth & Personalization position at Kikoff remote?
The Senior Backend Engineer - Growth & Personalization position at Kikoff is based in San Francisco, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the Senior Backend Engineer - Growth & Personalization position at Kikoff?
You can apply for the Senior Backend Engineer - Growth & Personalization position at Kikoffdirectly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process.