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Open Source Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Figma

Open Source Developer

Figma is a company dedicated to making design accessible to all, and they are seeking an Open Source Developer to shape the future of extensible, collaborative tooling across product teams. In this ...

Figma

Open Source Developer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

We're looking for an Open Source Developer to help shape the future of extensible, collaborative tooling across product teams and represent Figma in the open source community. In this role, you'll ...

Figma

Open Source Developer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

In this role, you'll build and scale open-source-powered frameworks, developer tools, and user-facing features that enable teams-including large enterprises and CMS-driven organizations-to create ...

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Open Source Developer information

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$60K

$77.5K

$92K

How much do open source developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for open source developer in the United States is $77,500.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $85,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Open Source Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Open Source Developer, you need strong programming skills, familiarity with version control systems like Git, and experience contributing to or maintaining open source projects. Proficiency with platforms such as GitHub, bug tracking systems, and knowledge of relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript) are typically required. Excellent communication, collaboration, and self-motivation are crucial soft skills, as much of the work involves distributed teams and community interaction. These skills ensure effective project contributions, sustained community engagement, and the successful growth of open source initiatives.

What Does an Open Source Developer Do?

As an open source developer, you work with open source code, tweaking, improving, and building upon it to create new software for an organization. Your duties vary depending on the position, but they can include using your knowledge of various open source coding systems and software to code new programs and applications, troubleshooting and debugging software, and tracking and reporting issues. Your responsibilities also include researching and learning about current and new standards for the coding languages with which you work. Most open source developers have skills and expertise in multiple programming languages, but many organizations are willing to train quick learners on each project.

What is an Open Source Developer?

An Open Source Developer is a software professional who creates, maintains, or contributes to software projects whose source code is freely available to the public. These developers collaborate with others in online communities, often working on projects hosted on platforms like GitHub or GitLab. Their work involves writing code, fixing bugs, reviewing pull requests, and documenting software. Open Source Developers help improve software that anyone can use, modify, or distribute, fostering innovation and collective problem-solving.

How does an Open Source Developer typically collaborate with a global, distributed team?

Open Source Developers often work with contributors from around the world, which means collaboration takes place primarily through online platforms such as GitHub, mailing lists, and chat tools like Slack or Discord. Communication is usually asynchronous due to time zone differences, so clear documentation and issue tracking are essential. Developers regularly review and comment on each other's code, participate in discussions about project direction, and sometimes join virtual meetings or code sprints. This environment encourages learning from diverse perspectives and requires strong written communication and self-motivation.

What is the difference between Open Source Developer vs Software Engineer?

AspectOpen Source DeveloperSoftware Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in CS or related field; strong coding skillsUsually a bachelor's or higher in CS or related field; programming proficiency
Work EnvironmentCollaborative open source communities, remote or distributed teamsCorporate or organizational settings, often in-office or remote
Employer & Industry UsageOpen source projects, tech companies, startupsTech firms, software companies, enterprises
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for coding skills and community involvementCompared for project management and product development roles

Open Source Developers focus on contributing to publicly available projects, often working in collaborative communities. Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software products within organizations. While both require programming skills and a background in computer science, Open Source Developers emphasize community collaboration and open contributions, whereas Software Engineers typically work within structured teams on proprietary or client projects.

More about Open Source Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Open Source Developer jobs? Cities with the most Open Source Developer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Open Source Developer jobs? The most popular types of Open Source Developer jobs are:
What states have the most Open Source Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Open Source Developer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Open Source Developer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Open Source Developer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Open Source Developer jobs? For Open Source Developer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Open Source Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Open Source Developer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,500 per year, or $37.3 per hour.
Open Source Developer

Open Source Developer

Figma

Remote

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Figma is a company dedicated to making design accessible to all, and they are seeking an Open Source Developer to shape the future of extensible, collaborative tooling across product teams. In this role, you will build and scale open-source-powered frameworks and tools that enable organizations to create and manage digital experiences efficiently.
Responsibilities:
• Design, build, and ship high-quality features and frameworks using TypeScript/JavaScript and React, delivering performant, polished user experiences
• Lead 0→1 open source initiatives from technical design and implementation through launch, documentation, and community adoption, including ongoing maintenance and community engagement
• Architect scalable front-end systems that support complex data models, real-time collaboration, and CMS-driven or enterprise workflows
• Partner cross-functionally with Product, Design, Research, Marketing, and Developer Relations to shape roadmap priorities and drive ecosystem growth
• Mentor teammates and elevate engineering craft through code reviews, design critiques, and knowledge sharing
Qualifications:
Required:
• Demonstrated 2+ years of experience building and shipping production web applications using TypeScript/JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and React
• Proficient in modern web tooling and software distribution (e.g., Next.js, Turbopack and bundlers, CI/CD, GitHub Actions)
• Experienced in contributing to, maintaining, or actively participating in open source communities
• Skilled at leading development of applications with complex data models and highly interactive user interfaces
• Familiar with enterprise requirements such as scalability, security, governance, content management workflows, and design systems
Preferred:
• Experience building with Payload, writing plugins, or contributing to Payload
• Proven ability to design, build, and maintain extensible software (e.g., SDKs, plugins, APIs, or CMS integrations)
• Knowledge of AI technologies or end developer tooling (AI SDK, RAG, Prompt Engineering)
• Experience launching 0→1 products or developer-facing platforms
• Demonstrated experience extending rich text editors like Lexical to build powerful UX flows
Company:
Figma is a collaborative design tool that enables teams to create, prototype, and test digital products on one platform. Founded in 2012, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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