Application Guide

How to Apply for Staff Software Engineer

at Murmuration

🏢 About Murmuration

Murmuration is a mission-driven organization focused on building community power through data, tools, and partner networks to create just, equitable systems. Unlike typical tech companies, they combine technical innovation with social impact, working toward systemic change for healthy, free communities. This makes it ideal for engineers who want their work to directly support social justice and community organizing.

About This Role

As a Staff Software Engineer at Murmuration, you'll drive architecture decisions, mentor engineers, and ensure reliable delivery of mission-critical features that build user trust and accessibility. This role is impactful because you'll shape technical systems that empower community organizations with data-driven tools, directly advancing the company's vision of equitable, resilient communities.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with Product and Design teams to plan accessible features, reviewing code with a focus on best practices, and mentoring engineers on architecture decisions. You could also lead release planning for mission-critical tools, advocate for infrastructure upgrades, and ensure systems align with Murmuration's community impact goals.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Murmuration Is Looking For

  • Has deep experience with modern JavaScript/TypeScript frameworks (like Angular or React) and designing APIs/relational data models (GraphQL preferred)
  • Demonstrates a track record of leading feature delivery and production releases while balancing technical debt and scalability
  • Excels at mentoring engineers and fostering inclusive, collaborative team cultures with strong written/verbal communication
  • Shows systems thinking for long-term architecture decisions and passion for accessibility (WCAG compliance) and social impact

📝 Tips for Applying to Murmuration

1

Highlight specific examples where you've driven architecture changes that improved system reliability or user trust, as this role emphasizes 'driver' responsibilities

2

Tailor your resume to show experience with both technical leadership (mentoring, releases) and collaboration with non-technical teams (Product, Design), as cross-functional work is key

3

Research Murmuration's partners or projects (like community organizing tools) and mention how your skills align with their mission of equitable systems

4

Prepare to discuss how you've handled technical debt or infrastructure upgrades in past roles, since 'advocate' responsibilities include continuous improvement

5

Emphasize any experience with accessibility (WCAG) or building inclusive products, as the job stresses making products 'accessible for all'

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain how your technical expertise in JavaScript/TypeScript and API design aligns with building Murmuration's community tools", "Describe your approach to mentoring and fostering inclusive engineering cultures, linking it to their 'teacher' and 'mentor' expectations", 'Share a brief example of collaborating with cross-functional teams to address user pain points, showing you understand their product focus', "Connect your passion for social impact to Murmuration's mission of building community power and equitable systems"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore Murmuration's website and blog to understand their specific projects, partners, and how they define 'community power'
  • → Look into their tech stack mentions (e.g., JavaScript frameworks, GraphQL) or open-source contributions to tailor technical discussions
  • → Research their values-aligned network and social impact goals to speak knowledgeably about their mission during interviews
  • → Review any case studies or news about their tools for organizing and engagement to understand user pain points they address
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach designing a scalable API (e.g., GraphQL) for Murmuration's data-driven community tools?
2 Describe a time you led a production release for a mission-critical feature and managed operational risks
3 How do you mentor engineers to balance technical debt with new feature development in a remote team setting?
4 What strategies would you use to ensure WCAG compliance and accessibility in Murmuration's products?
5 How would you collaborate with non-technical partners (like Product or Design) to align technical work with user needs for community organizing?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on technical skills without showing experience in mentorship, collaboration, or leadership in team settings
  • Applying with a generic resume that doesn't highlight specific achievements in production releases, API design, or accessibility work
  • Neglecting to research Murmuration's social mission, as this could signal misalignment with their values-driven culture

📅 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 Murmuration!

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