Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Software Engineer (IoT)

at Bird

🏢 About Bird

Bird is a pioneer in eco-friendly urban mobility, specializing in dockless electric scooters that reduce carbon emissions and traffic congestion. Their mission-driven approach to revolutionizing transportation makes them appealing for engineers passionate about sustainability and real-world impact. As a remote-first company, they offer flexibility while working on cutting-edge IoT technology that directly improves city living.

About This Role

This Senior Software Engineer role focuses on building and scaling backend systems for Bird's IoT fleet, ensuring reliable real-time data processing from thousands of electric scooters. You'll directly impact urban transportation by optimizing system performance and mentoring junior engineers, with quarterly deliverables that enhance rider experience and operational efficiency. The position combines hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves monitoring real-time data streams from Bird's global scooter fleet using Datadog dashboards, collaborating with teams to optimize microservices handling device communications, and reviewing code for backend features that enhance fleet management. You might troubleshoot a performance issue in the Kafka pipeline processing scooter telemetry, then lead a knowledge-sharing session on best practices for IoT system observability.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Bird Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years experience with Golang specifically for IoT applications, not just general backend development
  • Demonstrates practical expertise with Kafka for real-time scooter data streams and Kubernetes for managing distributed microservices
  • Shows proven ability to implement observability solutions (Datadog/Grafana) that have reduced system downtime in production environments
  • Possesses experience with AWS cloud infrastructure supporting high-volume IoT device communications and data pipelines

📝 Tips for Applying to Bird

1

Highlight specific Golang projects involving IoT devices or real-time data processing, not just general backend experience

2

Quantify your impact on system uptime or performance improvements using observability tools like Datadog or Grafana

3

Demonstrate understanding of Bird's business model by mentioning how your technical skills could improve scooter fleet management

4

Show experience with both technical leadership (mentoring, code reviews) and hands-on implementation in distributed systems

5

Tailor your resume to emphasize AWS, Kafka, and Kubernetes experience specifically in IoT or real-time data contexts

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Connect your IoT experience directly to Bird's electric scooter fleet and urban mobility challenges", "Provide concrete examples of how you've improved CI/CD pipelines or system observability in previous roles", 'Demonstrate understanding of distributed systems challenges specific to high-volume, real-time device communications', "Express genuine interest in sustainable transportation and Bird's mission to reduce urban carbon emissions"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Bird's specific IoT technology stack and how they manage their global scooter fleet remotely
  • → Recent company news about expansion, funding rounds, or technical challenges they've publicly discussed
  • → Urban mobility trends and how Bird positions itself against competitors like Lime or Uber
  • → Bird's sustainability initiatives and environmental impact metrics they report

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Designing a scalable system for processing real-time location and battery data from thousands of electric scooters
2 Troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in IoT device communication protocols within a microservices architecture
3 Implementing observability strategies for a distributed scooter fleet management system using Datadog/Grafana
4 Optimizing CI/CD pipelines for rapid deployment of backend features while maintaining system reliability
5 Mentoring approaches for junior engineers working on complex IoT infrastructure projects
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic backend experience without highlighting specific IoT, Golang, or real-time data pipeline expertise
  • Failing to demonstrate practical experience with the exact technologies listed (Kafka, Kubernetes, AWS, Datadog/Grafana)
  • Showing no understanding of Bird's business model or how IoT engineering supports their electric scooter operations

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Bird!

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