Sr Software Systems Engineer
Software Engineer, Desktop Platform TrackHow does this role fit within the team/department? One of multiple software engineers on the team, joining the Desktop platform track. This engineer will build features and ship product on the Desktop browser (macOS/Windows) using AI coding tools as the primary development method. Unlike our Chromium specialist role, this person does not need deep Chromium internals expertise — they need to be a strong application engineer who can move fast with AI tools. Overview of the team: Cross-functional team (Product, Design, Engineering) building Yahoo's AI-powered browser across iOS, Android, and Desktop. The team uses AI coding tools (primarily Claude Code) as the primary development method — no code is written by hand. Key team goals: Build and ship Yahoo's next-generation AI-powered web browser on Desktop (macOS/Windows), with AI-driven features powered by LLMs and a polished consumer experience.
Primary responsibilities:
- (daily/weekly):Build features, fix bugs, and ship product on the Desktop browser application (macOS/Windows), which is built on top of Chromium.
- Use AI coding tools (Claude Code, Codex) to write and maintain high-quality, efficient code — our team does not write code by hand.
- Work across layers of the Desktop app — from UI components and browser chrome to backend service integrations — using AI tools to ramp quickly on unfamiliar areas.
- Debug and resolve issues related to rendering, networking, and system integration on desktop platforms.
- Participate in code reviews as applicable, weekly meetings, daily standups, and weekly demos (Fridays).Occasionally work across platform boundaries when needed (e.g., touching backend services or shared code used by other platforms).Key projects or initiatives for the role:
- Desktop browser feature development: AI-driven features, custom browser UI, and service integrations
- Performance, stability, and quality improvements across the Desktop app
- Developer tooling, CI/CD, and build system improvements as needed
- Success metrics or KPIs for this role:
- Feature velocity — shipping user-facing desktop features within our 1-week cycle cadence
- Effective use of AI coding tools — leveraging agents for implementation, managing multiple agent sessions, and maintaining quality through review
- Ability to ramp quickly on unfamiliar parts of the codebase using AI tools to bridge knowledge gaps
- Quality — PRs pass CI, don't regress existing features, and follow established conventions
- How is success measured?
- PRs shipped per week
- Stability metrics — crash rates, bug count, CI pass rate on desktop builds
- Peer feedback and ability to unblock other engineers
- Must-have skills/qualifications (technical, soft skills, certifications, tools):6 years of professional software engineering experience
- Strong proficiency in at least one systems or application programming language (e.g., Swift, C, Rust, C#, or similar) — the Desktop app uses Swift (macOS) and C but AI tools help bridge language gaps
- Experience building and shipping complex desktop applications on macOS and/or Windows
- Strong problem-solving skills and comfort navigating large, unfamiliar codebases
- Willingness and ability to use AI coding tools (Claude Code) as the primary development method — this is non-negotiable
- Ideal experience level (years, leadership, industries):6-10 years of software engineering with a track record of shipping consumer desktop products
- Prior experience with large-scale desktop apps (browsers, IDEs, media apps, productivity tools, or similar)
- No management or leadership requirement — this is a hands-on IC role
- Any preferred industries or companies for background?
- Companies shipping consumer-facing desktop applications
- Companies with fast-moving, small-team cultures (startups, growth-stage, or small teams within larger orgs)
- Engineers who have already adopted AI coding tools in their workflow (Cursor, Copilot, Claude Code, Codex, Windsurf, etc.)Desired personality or work style:
- Self-directed and autonomous — our team runs 1-week cycles with minimal process, no sprint planning or backlog grooming
- Comfortable with AI-first development — must be willing to use AI agents as the primary coding method, not just autocomplete
- Pragmatic and ship-oriented — we demo every Friday, everyone presents
- Collaborative — ideas come from everywhere (engineering, design, product)
- Comfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration — "ship-to-learn, not plan-to-ship"Willing to work outside their comfort zone when needed
- Key attributes or values sought in the candidate:
- Resourcefulness with AI tools — uses agents to bridge knowledge gaps rather than waiting to become an expert before contributing
- Bias toward action — ship fast, iterate, learn
- Strong communication — reaches out early for clarity rather than spinning in isolation
- Adaptability — can pick up new parts of the codebase quickly and contribute meaningfully
- Hiring timeline and deadlines: ASAP — active need
Interview process:
(who, how many rounds): 1 culture fit interview to assess team alignment and working style 1 pairing session where the candidate shares their screen, brings their preferred AI coding tools (IDE, CLI, or similar), and pair-programs on a simple Windows/macOS desktop project Location and remote work options: RemoteTime zone preferences or travel requirements: US ESTEEO:"Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans."