Senior Platform Engineer (Santa Monica)

GumGum is The Mindset Company transforming advertising. We’re an advertising technology company delivering results by matching brands with people in the right mindset in the moments that matter. Our platform is powered by the Mindset Graph, our AI-driven data engine that processes billions of real-time contextual, creative, environmental, and historical signals to match every ad with the most receptive audience. The result is advertising that drives meaningful outcomes for advertisers and publishers, and is more relevant for consumers.We were founded in 2008 and are headquartered in Santa Monica, California, operating in over 19 markets across North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.Our principles guide our work every day and are as follows:Customer-Obsessed: We’re focused on advertising solutions that solve needs and drive success for clients and partners.Make it Happen: We have a bias for action and take ownership to deliver results.Always Innovate: We push boundaries with creativity and technology.Foster Belonging: We ensure colleagues feel included, supported, and empowered to thrive.To be a part of The Mindset Company transforming advertising, please visit .GumGum is building a next-generation, AI-powered software development platform, one that makes spec-driven development the default way software gets built across Engineering. We're looking for the Senior Platform Engineer who helps decide what that platform is, then builds it.This is a hands-on, high-ownership role. You'll evaluate the emerging landscape of AI SDLC / spec-driven development frameworks, make the call on what we adopt versus build ourselves, and own the platform end-to-end - from architecture through org-wide rollout. The bar we're building to: 10x faster feature delivery, with a workflow intuitive enough that product managers can author and iterate on specs directly, not just engineers.You'll partner daily with DevOps to wire the platform into our CI/CD and infrastructure, and with our Machine Learning Engineering (MLE) team on the AI/agent layer itself - model choice, context design, guardrails. This role sits at the center of how GumGum Engineering builds software for years to come.Note: GumGum fosters a flexible work environment, offering GumGummers the ability to work either in-office or remotely/from home. However, for occasional in-person collaboration, we kindly ask that this position be located within a 'commutable' distance to our office.Why GumGumShape a brand-new engineering platform from its earliest days, with real technical ownership over the decisionSit at the center of DevOps, MLE, and Engineering leadership on the org's highest-visibility initiativeCompetitive compensation, strong benefits, and outsized growth opportunity in a fast-scaling companyWhat You'll AchieveEvaluate the AI SDLC / spec-driven development landscape (e.g., GitHub Spec Kit, OpenSpec, BMAD-METHOD) and make the call on whether GumGum adopts or builds its own platformArchitect the platform end-to-end - spec authoring, agent orchestration, and validation gates - owning the roadmap from prototype to company-wide rolloutBuild the tooling and services that make spec-driven development the default, paved-road workflow for every engineering teamInstrument the platform to track adoption, delivery velocity, and friction, using that data to shape what gets built nextDesign for self-service, so product managers and other non-engineers can author and iterate on specs on their ownPartner closely with DevOps to wire the platform into CI/CD, Kubernetes, and deployment infrastructureTeam up with Machine Learning Engineering on model selection, context design, and agent guardrails, and with Security Engineering on authentication and auditabilityDrive org-wide adoption, building the documentation and training that let new teams pick up the workflow without hand-holding, and track the metrics that prove out a 10x delivery gainSkills You'll BringA bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field - or equivalent hands-on experience5+ years in platform engineering, developer experience, or a closely related disciplineDirect, hands-on experience building or driving org-wide adoption of a development platformWorking knowledge of AWS, Kubernetes, and Python, with enough depth to partner credibly with DevOps and ML EngineeringA track record of building internal tools and platforms that teams actually adopted, not just shippedStrong written and verbal communication - able to pitch an idea, explain a metric to a VP, and win over a skeptical senior engineer, all in the same dayStrong, opinionated judgment about where AI genuinely speeds up delivery and where it doesn'tA product mindset and the ability to drive buy-in across DevOps, MLE, Security, and Engineering leadership without relying on mandateWhat We OfferAt GumGum, competitive base pay is a part of a total rewards package which also includes benefits, an emphasis on recognition, development, and wellness. The reasonable estimated base pay range for this role is from $186,000 - $215,000 annually. The actual amount may be higher or lower. Individual compensation will vary based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant qualifications, work location, and labor market conditions.The total rewards package offered also includes an employer-matched 401(k) retirement plan, and depending on the role, participation in a bonus, commission, or stock incentive program. Your recruiter can share more specifics during the hiring process. Learn more about our U.S. benefits & perks package at gumgum.com/benefits.Awards2025 & 2026 Digiday Media Awards Europe Best Contextual Targeting Offering2025 AdExchanger Awards AI Innovators, Technology & Service Provider, Finalist2025 MARKETECH APAC Marketing Technology Awards Silver Winner for Best Contextual Advertising Tech PlatformWe're always learning and evolving as a company, and we continue to take thoughtful steps to support our people and strengthen our culture.Follow Us on SocialInstagram: @gumgumLinkedIn: YouTube: @GumGumIncTikTok: @itsgumgum