Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Software Engineer

at Redwood Materials

🏢 About Redwood Materials

Redwood Materials is building a closed-loop, domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain that recycles batteries to reduce environmental impact and secure critical materials. They're tackling climate change through practical engineering solutions, making this an ideal opportunity for engineers who want their work to have tangible environmental impact. The company combines mission-driven work with technical challenges at scale.

About This Role

As a Senior Software Engineer at Redwood Materials, you'll own features end-to-end in Python and React while designing APIs and integrations between systems. This role is impactful because you'll be building software that directly enables their closed-loop battery recycling operations, turning complex business processes into reliable production systems that support their environmental mission.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves collaborating remotely with team members and stakeholders to understand evolving business needs, designing and implementing Python and React features, participating in code reviews, and monitoring production systems. You might spend time debugging an integration issue between systems, documenting technical decisions, and preparing for quarterly on-site travel to engage with domain experts.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Redwood Materials Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years experience shipping production applications on AWS with strong Python and React skills
  • Excels at navigating ambiguity in fast-moving environments and making pragmatic technical decisions without perfect information
  • Demonstrates strong written communication skills for remote collaboration and documents decisions effectively
  • Is comfortable with periodic travel for stakeholder engagement and can work independently in a remote-first environment

📝 Tips for Applying to Redwood Materials

1

Highlight specific examples of building production applications on AWS with Python and React - Redwood needs engineers who can ship reliable systems

2

Demonstrate your ability to work with domain experts by describing a project where you turned complex business processes into working software

3

Show how you've navigated fast-changing requirements by sharing a time you prioritized effectively without perfect information

4

Include examples of production debugging and system reliability improvements - they need engineers who can operate what they build

5

Mention your remote collaboration experience and comfort with periodic travel, as this is explicitly required for stakeholder engagement

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with end-to-end feature ownership in production environments', 'Specific examples of building reliable systems on AWS with Python and React', "How you've successfully worked with domain experts to translate business needs into software", 'Your approach to navigating ambiguity and making pragmatic decisions in fast-moving environments']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Redwood Materials' specific recycling processes and how software enables their closed-loop supply chain
  • → Their partnerships with battery manufacturers and automotive companies to understand the ecosystem
  • → The technical challenges of battery recycling and material recovery that their software supports
  • → Their growth trajectory and recent announcements about facility expansions or partnerships

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through a complex feature you owned end-to-end from design to production operation
2 Describe your experience with API design and integration patterns between systems
3 How do you approach debugging and resolving production issues in AWS environments?
4 Share an example of working with non-technical stakeholders to understand business processes
5 How do you prioritize and adapt when requirements change frequently and information is incomplete?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on coding skills without demonstrating experience with production operations and reliability
  • Presenting as needing perfect requirements or clear specifications before taking action
  • Not showing examples of remote collaboration or written communication skills for async work

📅 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 Redwood Materials !

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