Senior Software Engineer - job 1 of 9

About Tin Can

Tin Can is building a safer, simpler way for kids to connect — without smartphones. We’re creating screen-free, delightful devices and services that let families call the people who matter most, free from the noise of today’s digital world.

We’re building a bold, authentic, nostalgic, and kinda quirky brand that resonates with folks who want something simpler & better for their kids than the tech-infused lives we’re currently living (and who have a sense of humor about it). As we gear up to scale to thousands of families, we’re ready to bring on an engineer to help make it happen.

The Role

We’re looking for a Senior Software Engineer to help own and evolve the core systems that power Tin Can. In this role, you’ll work alongside the founding team to make the platform more reliable, scalable, and understandable as we grow. You’ll touch backend services, integrations with our device and IoT stack, and the operational glue that keeps everything working together, with a focus on practical solutions that reduce risk and make the team more effective.

This is a hands-on, high-trust role. You’ll build and maintain backend services, work closely with firmware and VoIP partners, improve system integrations, and help untangle complexity as it shows up. You don’t need to have seen everything before, but you do need to be comfortable navigating ambiguity, learning quickly, and taking ownership of problems that don’t fit neatly into one box.

What You’ll Do

• Work across backend, platform, and IoT-adjacent systems as priorities shift

• Gradually take ownership of parts of our IoT platform and device integrations (e.g., Thingsboard)

• Absorb operational, integration, and glue work that currently falls on a small set of people

• Partner with contractors on firmware and device work as an in-house counterpart

• Support platform stability efforts by helping identify and reduce systemic risk

• Contribute to backend APIs and services that support devices, apps, and internal tools

• Provide flexibility as the team balances stability, product work, and new investigations

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years experience working on complex, production systems

• Experience with IoT platforms, device integrations, or adjacent systems

• Experience with TypeScript / Node and modern backend development practices

• Familiarity with AWS and serverless or cloud-native architectures

• Comfort working across backend services, integrations, and cloud infrastructure

• Strong judgment around tradeoffs, ownership, and when to step in vs. step back

• A collaborative, steady presence who values clarity, sustainability, and shared ownership

Why Join Tin Can

• We’re building tech that protects childhood: We’re on a quest to give kids a more analog childhood—one with real conversations, real connection, and way less screen time. No doomscrolling, data mining, or dopamine traps—just a simpler, better way for kids to stay in touch. At Tin Can, security isn’t a checkbox — it’s how we earn and keep the trust of every family we serve. This is a rare opportunity to build something that truly matters: technology that protects what’s most precious.

• You’ll have real ownership, not just responsibility: This is the dream role for an engineer who wants to fully own building and scaling secure systems from the ground up — with the full backing of the founding team. You’ll have both the autonomy and the responsibility to shape Tin Can’s security vision, tools, and culture as we scale.

• Small, high trust team: Every company says “team,” but at Tin Can it means something different. We’re a small, mission-driven group that genuinely has each other’s backs — professionally and personally. You’ll be joining a tight-knit crew where your ideas and instincts matter from day one.

• Room to explore, not just execute: You’ll have the space to explore new ideas, challenge assumptions, and build secure systems that reflect our values of trust, simplicity, and care.

If you’re excited by the idea of taking a solid technical foundation and scaling it to support thousands of families—while making it more efficient, secure, and delightful along the way—please reach out. We can’t wait to meet someone who’s ready to jump in, level up what we’ve started, and help us grow.