Senior Software Engineer

Senior Software Engineer (Backend) – Words With Friends Join to apply for the Senior Software Engineer (Backend) – Words With Friends role at Zynga. Zynga is a global leader in interactive entertainment and a proud label of Take‑Two Interactive. Our games have been downloaded over 6 billion times, connecting players in 175+ countries through fun, strategy, and friendly competition. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in California, our teams span North America, Europe, and Asia, working together to craft unforgettable gaming experiences. Position Overview We are seeking a Backend Engineer in the Austin, San Mateo, or Toronto areas, with a level of experience equivalent to a Senior Software Engineer. The role involves developing and architecting critical game components and systems that directly relate to the success of our games, including Words With Friends. What You'll Do Define, architect, develop & maintain features and gameplay functionality in Ruby on Rails and C# on the backend Support live‑ops and deployments on a rotational basis Develop robust and scalable APIs and server‑side logic using C# or Ruby on Rails Design and implement database schemas and manage data storage solutions (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) Deploy and maintain applications on cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) Write unit and integration tests to ensure code quality and perform thorough debugging Participate in code reviews to ensure code quality and share knowledge with other team members Proactively optimize code & memory for high‑performance simulations with tight constraints Develop & integrate new technologies and tools (working with content teams) Work closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to understand requirements and deliver solutions Create and maintain clear and concise technical documentation Identify and address performance bottlenecks in both front‑end and back‑end systems Mentor junior engineers and guide best practices and technical solutions Participate in technical design discussions and contribute to architectural decisions Identify opportunities to improve the team's development processes and workflows What You Bring Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field 5+ years of experience in Backend development, with expertise in at least one server‑side language such as Ruby on Rails, C#.NET, Node.js, Python, or Java Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and object‑oriented software design Experience with database systems (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) Expertise in caching frameworks (e.g., Redis, Memcached) Proficiency with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) Expertise with CI/CD pipelines Experience with performance monitoring tools Excellent communication and collaboration skills Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) Experience with Agile development methodologies Understanding of mobile concepts such as UI, networking, threading, and storage Flexibility to adapt to evolving requirements and new technology changes Works well in dynamic and agile teams Interest in latest mobile trends and passion for games Bonus Points Experience and strong skills with database technologies like MySQL, and experience working with applications/services running in AWS Contributions to open‑source projects Experience leading small technical projects What We Offer You Zynga offers a world‑class benefits package that supports and balances the needs of our teams. The pay range for this position in California at the start of employment is expected to be between $98,400 and $145,620 per year. The pay range for this position in Toronto is expected to be between $96,400 and $142,660 per year. Compensation may also include bonuses, equity awards, and eligibility to participate in our 401(K) plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program. Regular, full‑time employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance coverage; 14 paid holidays per calendar year; paid vacation time ranging from 15 to 25 days; up to 10 paid sick days per year; paid parental and compassionate leave; wellbeing programs; family planning support; commuter benefits; and reimbursements for fitness‑related expenses. Equal Opportunity Employment We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating and celebrating diverse thoughts, cultures, and backgrounds throughout our organization. Employment with us is based on substantive ability, objective qualifications, and work ethic – not an individual’s race, creed, color, religion, sex or gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, status as a victim of domestic violence or sex offenses, reproductive health decision, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to providing the necessary support and accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or impairments. Please contact us at to request any accommodations or for support related to your application for an open position. We do not conduct interviews or make offers over third‑party messaging apps such as Telegram or WhatsApp. Any attempts to do so may be the result of a scam or phishing attack and you should not engage. Zynga’s in‑house recruitment team will only contact individuals through official company email addresses. The use of Artificial Intelligence is not being used to screen candidates. The position is for an existing vacancy. #J-18808-Ljbffr