Go Developer (Remote)

Job Description

In this role

We are seeking a software engineer who is interested in working across a variety of programming languages and environments, with a focus on Golang. You will join our friendly and creative team, helping us to deliver easy-to-use APIs that enable application developers to build robust solutions that rely on real-time data delivered by our cloud service.

Developers interact with our service, for the most part, using our client library software. This type of software, more often referred to as a software development kit (SDK), accelerates the development of servers and client apps that interact with our service. All our SDKs are open source and available on GitHub. We are receptive to contributions from our customers, the developers they work with and the wider open-source community.

Day to day, you will:

• Manage the full lifecycle of client library software, including the development of new features, maintenance, bug fixing and testing.

• Cooperate with other developers, collaborating to solve problems and deliver best practice. Activities include commentary on public pull requests and issues, as well as participation in internal Slack channels.

• Formulate API proposals and the published specifications for new features, including liaison with the customers requesting them.

• Provide support to our developer community, resolving issues raised against our client library SDKs.

What we look for:

The nature of this role is diverse by definition. We have an idea of some of the skills and experience which might help you perform well as an SDK Developer at Ably, but we believe the most important thing is that you have a desire to evolve your skills and adapt your techniques as the role grows with you.

We would like to see:

• Programming Languages: A range of software development experience, including time spent developing with Go, aligned with a desire to produce idiomatic Golang code. It would also be nice to see that you have written code in other languages, including in some of those that we work with, including Python, PHP, Ruby, Dart, Swift, Kotlin, C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java and Objective-C.

• Runtime Platforms: Customers use our SDKs from a number of runtime platforms - ranging from servers to the laptops, PCs, tablets and phones owned by their users. We have to provide the tools and support for this diverse range of runtime environments, so what can you bring to the team? We don't expect you to know everything but we do need you to be enthusiastic to learn when required.

• Networking and Protocols: Some depth of knowledge around network transports as well as data / message packing. We use HTTP and WebSockets as well as JSON and MessagePack. It would be great if you've had some experience of writing software that implements a protocol.

• Testing: An understanding of asynchronous testing, in particular system / integration testing of software making network calls. Additionally, an eye for opportunities to layer testing so that portions of the codebase can be validated using pure unit tests.

• Open-source Software (OSS): We understand that contributing to the open source community may be something you've not had the opportunity to do yet. It's a luxury that not many jobs offer and which many people don't have the free time to participate in either. However, if you have been able to get involved in open-source, then we would love to see what you've worked on.

What’s it like to work at Ably?

Ably is entering a new phase of growth led by an experienced senior team. You’ll be part of a successful, highly motivated, and extremely collaborative team.

To provide the infrastructure required for the next generation of the internet, to tell the world about it, and to support everyone inside Ably to do so we hire people who are ready and capable of taking on challenging problems in a high-growth environment.

We want to work in a company of inclusive people who treat each other well. To really thrive at Ably, you’ll need to believe in and be prepared to do your work in line with our values, which are:

• Open for all. Open is a mindset. When open, we’re better collaborators, communicators and creators. Whether open source, standards, or protocols, open hearts, minds, and eyes. It’s better when it’s open.

• Bias for action. We avoid analysis paralysis at all costs. We lean into doing in order to move us forward. When we have enough of what we need to act, we act.

• Even the best do better. We want to be the best - but that doesn’t mean we rest when we are. Improvement and growth - true betterment - is an ongoing journey. One fuelled by curiosity and taking risks.

• Technology needs humanity. Our technology means little without people - whether that’s how we treat our colleagues, or how we design developer experiences. Being human matters.

• Dependable people make dependable things. Dependability is integral to our mission and technology, but being dependable starts with our people. When we care enough to take real ownership of our products and problems - all else will follow.

• Bold creativity leads to the greatest rewards. When viewed through a different lens, what stands in the way can become the way. The bigger the challenge the easier the choice: bold creativity will always move us forward, create better outcomes, and set us apart.

What’s in it for you?

• A great company culture

• Share options

• The chance to learn and grow with a fast-moving company, supported by a learning budget of £1,000 that gives you access to professional training, events, conferences, workshops etc.

• Remote first: Unless you want to pop into our communal office space in Shoreditch, London, you’ll work from home most of the time, apart from when we have planning sessions and Summits. Travel to the office is at the employee's expense, apart from when we have Ably Summits

• Your choice of high quality tech kit to work on

• Home workstation set up budget of £500, plus an annual top-up of £150

• Regular company away days and social events

• Friday need-to-know drinks and snacks

• Private health insurance, including Doctor@Hand

• Access to private and confidential coaching via Sanctus

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme with AXA

• A monthly wellbeing budget with Juno

• Enhanced parental leave

• 25 days of paid annual leave (33 days including bank holidays)

• 10 days of paid sick leave (including mental health days) per year

• Dog friendly office for when you’re in the office!

If you enjoy working as part of a technology company, value open source, and love solving hard problems - then we’d love to hear from you, regardless of whether you fit the job description exactly or not. If in doubt, drop us an email; we’d be more than happy to give you some advice on your application.

We believe our differences as individuals is what makes us great. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we encourage everyone to be their most authentic self at Ably: we see inclusivity and openness as fundamental to creating long-term success as an organization. We encourage applications from all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, parental status, race, religion, educational background or neurodiversity. Ably has an amazing opportunity ahead of us, and we want anyone to be able to contribute to that opportunity.