Sr Software Systems Engineer, Yahoo Search

Yahoo serves as a trusted guide for hundreds of millions of people globally, helping them achieve their goals online through our portfolio of iconic products. For advertisers, Yahoo Advertising offers omnichannel solutions and powerful data to engage with our brands and deliver results.

About Yahoo Research

Yahoo Research is at the forefront of developing intuitive, intelligent, and forward-looking products across our brand portfolio. We harness AI and emerging technologies to shape the next generation of Yahoo, hiring world-class engineers to support our ambitious product and platform goals. Our engineers thrive in a highly collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on technical excellence and innovation. This is a unique opportunity as we reimagine the future of Search, reinventing how users find information and accomplish their goals. To achieve this vision, we are integrating new technology and expanding our infrastructure. This role demands strategic partnership, analytical thinking, exceptional planning and execution skills, ambitious innovation, an obsession with quality and user needs, a focus on solving complex problems, and the commitment to implement durable solutions quickly and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and implement highly scalable, reliable, and performant distributed systems and infrastructure for next-generation Search.

• Integrate AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor) into the software lifecycle to accelerate feature delivery and ensure code quality through automated oversight.

• Lead and contribute to the architecture of core platform components, ensuring high quality, maintainability, and extensibility while identifying opportunities for AI-driven automation in manual workflows.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers and designers, to define requirements and deliver features, using AI tools to rapidly prototype and validate technical directions.

• Drive the adoption of best practices for software development, including AI-augmented testing strategies, structured code reviews, and automated CI/CD pipelines.

• Troubleshoot and debug complex issues across distributed systems, leveraging AI diagnostics and log analysis to identify root causes and implement durable solutions.

• Evaluate emerging technologies and proactively suggest AI-driven improvements to platform scalability and reliability.

Basic Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or equivalent professional experience.

• 5+ years of industry experience working with large-scale distributed systems.

• 7+ years of professional software development experience in one or more general-purpose programming languages (Java, Go, Python, Ruby, C++, etc.).

• Strong experience with full-stack JavaScript development (Node, Express, Next.js).

• Proficiency in prompt engineering and structured interaction with AI models to assist in system design, documentation, and code generation.

• Strong experience with GraphQL, REST, HTTP, and the ability to design and implement maintainable APIs.

• Database experience with PostgreSQL, SQL Server, or similar database technologies.

• Solid understanding of operating systems, networking, and performance optimization.

• Commitment to staying current on emerging AI tools and a mindset focused on augmenting human oversight with automated validation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with mobile and frontend web development.

• Experience with SCRUM or similar agile development methodologies.

• Demonstrated experience in validating and refining AI-generated code to detect errors or hallucinations in complex system architectures.

• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).

The material job duties and responsibilities of this role include those listed above as well as adhering to Yahoo policies; exercising sound judgment; working effectively, safely and inclusively with others; exhibiting trustworthiness and meeting expectations; and safeguarding business operations and brand integrity.

At Yahoo, we offer flexible hybrid work options that our employees love! While most roles don’t require regular office attendance, you may occasionally be asked to attend in-person events or team sessions. You’ll always get notice to make arrangements. Your recruiter will let you know if a specific job requires regular attendance at a Yahoo office or facility. If you have any questions about how this applies to the role, just ask the recruiter!

Yahoo is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected category. Yahoo will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. Yahoo is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you need accessibility assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please submit a request via the Accommodation Request Form (www.yahooinc.com/careers/contact-us.html) or call +1.866.772.3182. Requests and calls received for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace strengthens Yahoo and deepens our relationships. When you support everyone to be their best selves, they spark discovery, innovation and creativity. Among other efforts, our 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) enhance a culture of belonging with programs, events and fellowship that help educate, support and create a workplace where all feel welcome.

The compensation for this position ranges from $128,250.00 - $266,875.00/yr and will vary depending on factors such as your location, skills and experience.The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary annual bonus or commissions. Our comprehensive benefits include healthcare, a great 401k, backup childcare, education stipends and much (much) more.

Currently work for Yahoo? Please apply on our internal career site.