Software Engineer 5 – Member API

About the role

Netflix is looking for a senior software engineer to lead the design and evolution of the Member API, the core abstraction layer that powers discovery experiences across all devices. You will work at the intersection of platform engineering and developer experience, shaping how APIs are built, governed, and scaled as Netflix expands into new domains such as Games and Live.

Key responsibilities

• Evolve the GraphQL schema layer, including federation patterns and lifecycle governance.
• Own the API paradigm portfolio across client‑driven, server‑driven, and emerging patterns, providing clear guidance on usage.
• Partner with device client engineers and backend domain teams to design resilient, intuitive APIs.
• Contribute to the full API lifecycle—from design through deprecation—by building tooling, guardrails, and governance processes.
• Shape AI‑assisted contributions within the API development workflow.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with product, client foundations, and partner engineering teams.
• Mentor engineers on GraphQL best practices, API design principles, and resilience patterns.

Required profile

• Extensive hands‑on experience designing and evolving GraphQL APIs at production scale.
• Strong intuition for client‑server API relationships and trade‑offs.
• Comfort operating in large, distributed systems with awareness of blast radius and schema ownership boundaries.
• Excellent written communication skills for precise proposals and constructive discussions.

Required skills

• GraphQL
• API design and governance
• Schema federation
• Breaking‑change management
• Distributed systems engineering

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence a core platform used by millions of members worldwide.
• Collaborative environment with top engineers across product, device, and backend domains.
• Access to cutting‑edge technologies and AI‑driven development tools.