What It's Like to Be a Software Engineer at Retool
As a Software Engineer at Retool, you'll be at the forefront of changing how software is built. Retool's mission is to make it faster, cheaper, and more enjoyable to build internal tools, and engineers are the driving force behind this revolution. You'll be part of a small but growing team with an outsized impact, working on a product that empowers developers to build powerful tools in a fraction of the time. The engineering culture at Retool is one of high ownership and collaboration, where you'll have the opportunity to ship cool stuff and solve challenging problems. The day-to-day of a software engineer at Retool is dynamic and engaging. You could be working on anything from building new AI-powered features to improving the core infrastructure that powers the platform. The tech stack is modern and includes React, TypeScript, and Node.js, with a recent migration to ViteJS for a faster development experience. You'll also get to work with technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.
Retool has a hybrid work model with offices in San Francisco, New York, and London, and the company values in-person collaboration. The company also has a strong engineering blog where they share insights into their work, such as how they built AI-assisted development into Retool and their migration to ViteJS. This is a great place to learn more about the technical challenges and innovations happening at the company.
Salary & Compensation
Retool is a well-funded, high-growth startup, and its compensation reflects that. The company offers competitive salaries, stock options, and bonuses. Based on data from Levels.fyi, here's an estimate of what you can expect to make as a Software Engineer at Retool in San Francisco.
| Level | Base Salary | Total Comp (incl. equity) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (L1-L2) | $160K-$200K | $240K-$300K |
| Mid (L3-L4) | $200K-$240K | $300K-$450K |
| Senior (L5+) | $240K-$300K+ | $450K-$700K+ |
Interview Process
The interview process at Retool is designed to be thorough and give both you and the company a chance to get to know each other. It typically consists of 4-5 rounds:
- Recruiter Screen - An introductory call with a recruiter to discuss your background, experience, and interest in Retool.
- Technical Phone Screen - A technical interview with a software engineer, which may involve a coding challenge in a shared editor. This could cover anything from algorithms to building a small React component.
- Onsite/Virtual Loop - A series of 3-5 interviews with members of the team. This will include a mix of technical and behavioral interviews. Technical interviews may involve more complex coding challenges, system design questions, and a deep dive into your past projects. Behavioral interviews will focus on your collaboration and problem-solving skills.
- Hiring Committee - The final stage, where the hiring committee reviews your performance throughout the interview process and makes a final decision.
How to Stand Out
- Show your passion for developer tools. Retool is a company built by developers, for developers. Show that you're passionate about building tools that make other developers' lives easier.
- Master their tech stack. Be prepared to demonstrate your expertise in React, TypeScript, and Node.js. Familiarity with their open-source projects is a plus.
- Practice practical coding problems. Retool's coding challenges are often practical and related to the work you'd be doing day-to-day. Practice building small applications and components.
- Prepare for system design questions. As you progress through the interview process, you'll likely encounter system design questions. Be prepared to discuss how you would design and build scalable systems.
- Be a culture fit. Retool values collaboration, ownership, and a passion for building great products. Show that you're a team player who is eager to learn and contribute.