Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Software Engineer, Accessibility
at Mozilla
🏢 About Mozilla
Mozilla is the non-profit behind Firefox, championing an open and accessible internet. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven organization that prioritizes user privacy and web standards, with a strong commitment to accessibility as a core value.
About This Role
As a Senior Software Engineer on the Accessibility team, you'll own the core Gecko accessibility engine, ensuring it works seamlessly across platforms. Your work directly impacts millions of users with disabilities, making the web inclusive and usable for everyone.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start by reviewing bug reports from assistive technology users, then dive into C++ code to fix a screen reader crash on Linux. After a sync with the design team to discuss a new ARIA feature, you'd write unit tests and submit a patch for review, collaborating with engineers across time zones.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Mozilla Is Looking For
- Expert in C++ with deep experience debugging multi-process, multi-threaded code (e.g., in browser engines or complex native apps).
- Solid understanding of web accessibility standards (WCAG, ARIA) and how assistive technologies consume them.
- Familiar with cross-platform development (Windows, macOS, Linux) and OS-specific accessibility APIs (e.g., UIA on Windows, NSAccessibility on macOS).
- Collaborative mindset, able to work with design and front-end teams to remediate issues and influence web standards.
📝 Tips for Applying to Mozilla
Highlight any open-source contributions, especially to Gecko, Chromium, or accessibility tools (e.g., NVDA, Orca).
In your resume, quantify impact: e.g., 'Reduced accessibility bug count by 20%' or 'Improved screen reader performance by 15%'.
Tailor your cover letter to Mozilla's manifesto and accessibility commitment—mention specific Mozilla products you use.
If you have experience with Rust (used in Gecko), emphasize it; it's a plus for safety-critical code.
Include a link to a portfolio or GitHub repo showing C++ projects, ideally with accessibility-related code or documentation.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for accessibility and alignment with Mozilla's mission of an open, inclusive web.", 'Specific examples of debugging multi-process issues in C++ (e.g., fixing a race condition in a browser engine).', "Experience with ARIA and how you've influenced web standards (e.g., participation in W3C groups).", 'Ability to collaborate across teams with designers and front-end engineers to ship accessible features.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read Mozilla's Accessibility Strategy page and recent blog posts about Gecko accessibility improvements.
- → Explore the Gecko source code on GitHub, especially the accessible/ directory, to understand the codebase structure.
- → Review Mozilla's Web Compatibility work and how accessibility intersects with web standards like ARIA.
- → Check out Mozilla's open positions and team structure to see how the accessibility team fits into the broader engineering org.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't submit a generic application—Mozilla values mission alignment, so show you care about open web and accessibility.
- Avoid focusing only on front-end accessibility (e.g., ARIA in HTML) without demonstrating C++ and systems-level skills.
- Don't overlook the 'remote Canada' requirement—ensure you're eligible to work in Canada and mention your location clearly.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!