Solid understanding of the Android platform, including application lifecycle and system services
Experience building and owning background services like WorkManager and foreground services
Demonstrated ability to manage complex features from design to production
Strong communication skills for technical discussions and documentation
Responsibilities
Develop and evolve the core platform application from architecture to delivery
Design and implement Android system services for device lifecycle management
Collaborate with firmware and hardware teams to integrate new device capabilities
Drive quality through comprehensive testing practices
Lead technical design discussions and participate in code reviews
Mentor and support other engineers, fostering a culture of improvement
Benefits
Generous stock option program that begins vesting after 1 year
Comprehensive health plans with 100% premium coverage for employees
401(k) with matching contributions up to 4%
Lunch and snacks provided in SF & NY offices
$150 monthly fitness allowance for gym or coaching
Flexible time off policy with a minimum of 10 days required annually
Full Job Description
Overview: Aura is looking for a Senior Software Engineer to join the Frame Platform Team, responsible for the Android-based software experience that powers our connected frame products. In this role, you will primarily work on the platform application - the core system app that defines the Aura product experience - as well as the services that keep our devices up to date and running reliably in the field. Youll work within a vendor-customized Android environment, collaborating closely with product, firmware, and backend teams to deliver a polished, resilient platform. The ideal candidate is a strong Android engineer who is equally comfortable architecting user-facing platform features and building the robust background services that support them, as well as not afraid to dive deeper in the Android system to debug platform issues.
What youll do:
Develop and evolve the core platform application - from architecture through delivery.
Design and implement Android system services and background processes that support device lifecycle management, including OTA update delivery, installation orchestration, and rollback handling.
Work within a vendor-customized AOSP environment, understanding how platform-level configurations and system app permissions shape application behavior.
Collaborate with firmware and hardware teams to integrate new device capabilities into the platform app and associated services.
Drive quality through thorough testing practices - unit, integration, and end-to-end - and establish patterns that raise the bar across the team.
Lead technical design discussions, write clear design documents, and participate in code reviews to maintain high engineering standards.
Mentor and support other engineers on the team, contributing to a culture of craft, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
Requirements:
7+ years of Android development experience
Strong proficiency in Java and Kotlin
Solid understanding of the Android platform - application lifecycle, inter-process communication (Binder/AIDL), system services, and permissions model.
Experience building and owning background services, including WorkManager, foreground services, broadcast receivers, and related Android primitives.
Demonstrated ability to own large, complex features end-to-end across design, implementation, testing, and production monitoring.
Strong communication skills; comfortable driving technical discussions and writing design documentation.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience shipping software for Android-based consumer hardware products
Exposure to AOSP build system (Soong), system app development, and platform-signed APK integration.
Experience with device management or fleet operations concepts - staged rollouts, forced update policies, device health monitoring.
Comfort reading and navigating AOSP source to understand platform behavior, even if not actively modifying it day-to-day.
Experience with backend integration for device services - REST/gRPC APIs, push messaging, or device telemetry pipelines.
Prior experience in a startup or fast-paced hardware/software product environment.
Because You Matter: We believe in creating a happy and supportive work environment, so you can both excel at your job and actually enjoy coming into work each day. Compensation for this role will be in the $160,000 - $220,000 range.
For full-time, US-based employees. Benefits may differ for part-time or international roles.
Generous stock option program - begins vesting after 1 year
Comprehensive health plans - Aura pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for families.
401(k) with match - Aura fully matches the first 4% of your salary contributed
Flexible time off - and youre required to take at least 10 days off each year
About Aura Frames
Aura Frames is a technology company that designs and manufactures smart digital picture frames. The company's flagship product, the Aura Frame, is a high-resolution digital frame that allows users to display and share photos from their smartphone or computer. The frame is equipped with advanced features such as facial recognition, automatic photo curation, and voice control. Aura Frames is committed to creating innovative products that enhance the way people share and enjoy their memories.
