Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby on Rails), Plan: Knowledge at GitLab

About GitLab

GitLab is the intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps, enabling organizations to increase developer productivity, improve operational efficiency, reduce security and compliance risk, and accelerate digital transformation. More than 50 million registered users and over 50% of the Fortune 100 trust GitLab to ship better, more secure software faster. The same principles guiding our products are reflected in our team's work: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier, with all team members expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact. GitLab is where careers accelerate, innovation flourishes, and every voice is valued. Our high-performance culture is driven by our values and continuous knowledge exchange, empowering our team members to reach their full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex problems. Join us in co-creating the future as we build technology that transforms how the world develops software.

An Overview of This Role

As a Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby on Rails) on the Plan: Knowledge group, you will help shape how teams plan, document, and share knowledge within GitLab. You will build and improve the backend systems behind Wiki, Pages, Markdown, and text editors, while also assisting in designing AI-powered capabilities such as the planner agent and Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations that connect GitLab's GraphQL APIs with external tools. In this role, you will work closely with frontend engineers, Product, UX, and Security teams to create reliable, scalable systems that support both technical and non-technical users across GitLab's planning experience. As part of GitLab's AI-first culture, you will also utilize the Duo Agent Platform in your daily workflow to enhance productivity and support faster iteration.

Some examples of our projects include: building AI agents such as the planner agent to support planning and knowledge management workflows; and architecting MCP integrations that expose GitLab GraphQL APIs to external AI tools and platforms.

What You'll Do

• Lead backend architecture for Wiki, Pages, Markdown, and text editor capabilities used across GitLab.
• Design and build AI agents that support planning and knowledge management workflows.
• Architect MCP integrations that connect GitLab GraphQL APIs with external AI platforms and tools.
• Drive improvements in reliability and performance across application code, PostgreSQL queries, Redis usage, and background jobs.
• Develop and evolve GraphQL APIs that are clear for frontend engineers and support scalable product experiences.
• Collaborate with frontend engineers, Product, UX, and Security teams to break down complex work into shippable iterations.
• Mentor engineers through code review, technical discussions, and shared backend best practices.
• Support incident response and production debugging, then translate learnings into lasting system improvements.

What You'll Bring

• Strong experience building and maintaining backend applications with Ruby on Rails, including core components such as ActiveRecord and Redis.
• Experience designing and supporting GraphQL APIs with meticulous attention to usability, maintainability, and performance.
• Knowledge of PostgreSQL query design, optimization, and scaling in high-traffic production systems.
• Experience building or integrating AI agents, intelligent workflows, or related platform capabilities.
• Familiarity with Model Context Protocol (MCP) or similar patterns for connecting APIs to external tools and platforms.
• Ability to investigate production issues, debug complex systems, and improve reliability over time.
• Experience leading technical decisions, mentoring engineers, and contributing to engineering standards across a team.
• Clear communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with openness to candidates who bring transferable experience from adjacent backend or platform work.

About the Team

The Plan: Knowledge group is responsible for core knowledge management experiences in GitLab, including Wiki, Pages, Markdown, and Text Editors. This team is actively expanding these foundations with AI-powered capabilities such as the planner agent and MCP-based integrations. The team consists of 6 engineers and collaborates with a Product Manager, Engineering Manager, Product Designer, and Technical Writer. Like many teams at GitLab, they work asynchronously across regions and closely with the broader Plan stage to address backend scalability, editing experience, and AI integration challenges within one shared platform. For more on the team's direction, please refer to the Plan: Knowledge Direction Page.

How GitLab Supports Full-Time Employees

We welcome interest from candidates with varying levels of experience; many successful candidates do not meet every single requirement. Additionally, studies have shown that people from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you're excited about this role, please apply and allow our recruiters to assess your application.

Benefits to support your health, finances, and well-being include:

• Flexible Paid Time Off
• Team Member Resource Groups
• Equity Compensation & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Growth and Development Fund
• Parental Leave
• Home office support

Country Hiring Guidelines and Privacy Policy

GitLab hires new team members in countries around the world. All of our roles are remote, however some roles may carry specific location-based eligibility requirements. Our Talent Acquisition team can help answer any questions about location after starting the recruiting process. Please review our Recruitment Privacy Policy. Your privacy is important to us.

Equal Opportunity Workplace

GitLab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. GitLab’s policies and practices relating to recruitment, employment, career development and advancement, promotion, and retirement are based solely on merit, regardless of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), national origin, age, citizenship, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information (including family medical history), discharge status from the military, protected veteran status (which includes disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, active duty wartime or campaign badge veterans, and Armed Forces service medal veterans), or any other basis protected by law. GitLab will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. See also GitLab’s EEO Policy and EEO is the Law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know during the recruiting process.