Duolingo Careers
Our mission
Develop the best education in the world and make it universally available.
Join a life-changing mission that brings people together.
Only at Duolingo
We're kind, creative people who want to make a positive impact on the world.
A note from our CEO: Why Duolingo will remain mission-driven](https://blog.duolingo.com/duolingo-ipo/?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fcareers.duolingo.com%2F&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ipoblog_cs_091924)
The Duolingo Handbook: 5 principles that shape our innovative culture](https://blog.duolingo.com/handbook/?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fcareers.duolingo.com%2F&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Handbookblog_CS_020824)
Why belonging matters at Duolingo](https://blog.duolingo.com/belonging-at-duolingo/?utm_source=https%3A%2F%2Fcareers.duolingo.com%2F&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=belongingblog_cs_091924)
Ten years ago, we built the Duolingo English Test. We didn't build it because it was easy. In fact, it turned out to be quite challenging. We built it because there was a barrier to accessing education.
When I was a 17-year-old high school student in Guatemala, I needed an English proficiency test to apply to college in the US. The problem was that Guatemala had run out of testing seats. My family had to pay for me to fly to another country just to take an exam.
That experience stayed with me. It's the reality for millions of international students – without an accessible way to prove English proficiency, they can't even apply to a US university.
That's why we built a test with fewer obstacles. You could take it from your computer. At home. At 2am if that's when you happen to be free. No flights, no testing centers, no crazy fees. At the time, folks thought taking on this market was impossible.
Today, we're accepted by 99 of the top 100 US universities, every Ivy League school, and 6,500 programs worldwide.
We've also built a highly secure system: AI-powered monitoring, expert human review, identity verification, and continuous analysis before, during, and after testing. Our patent-pending Ear Scan technology can even detect risks like hidden earbuds used to cheat — a level of security that isn't possible in a traditional testing center.
I'm proud of what we've built. We've opened doors for students all over the world by removing a barrier that never should have existed.
Happy 10th anniversary to the Duolingo English Test (DET). I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who has believed in our mission. The DET shows that we can truly change the lives of each person we've touched.
[Some companies are continuing to scale down internship programs, but we're not. We welcomed 65 interns this summer. Here are a few reasons why:
It's our best talent pipeline. Over 100 of our current employees started here as interns. We get to see the best students do real work for three months, and then can make a really well-informed hiring decision. The people who've come through this way end up being some of our most successful Duos. I see our intern program as a long-term bet on talent.
They help us ship real things. An internship at Duolingo often means developing a feature that millions of people use. We aren’t just having interns mock up a proof of concept, or a slide deck. They’re contributing to our real product.
They keep us from going stale. When I was a professor at](https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7474870923259617282/) Carnegie Mellon University, I loved the energy of an incoming class. They have new references, new ideas and a different take on the same basic questions. Our product skews younger and is part of internet culture. Having people who are from different generations helps us interpret culture from different perspectives.
One thing I'm curious about this year: this is the first full cohort that's been using AI tools in school. I’m excited to see how they apply that learning to come up with new ideas that help our learners.
To the 65 interns who just joined us, welcome to Duolingo. We are excited you’re here!
[Gooool! Duo Cup is here! ⚽ We’ve added 48 national soccer jerseys that learners can unlock for their avatars. Every day you extend your streak, you unlock a random new jersey. It’s available on iOS now and Android next week for a limited time. Why did we do this? Because learning is more fun when it feels personal. And when learning is more fun, people come back. If there was a Guatemala jersey, I’d be wearing that. Instead, I’ll be wearing the US jersey.
Our Teams
Engineering is our largest function at Duolingo. They build, run, and maintain our product and features.
Product at Duolingo is focused on defining, launching, and improving everything we build.
Design combines product design, art, animation, brand, and experiential to bring delight to our product.
Marketing
Marketing at Duolingo builds an iconic brand that resonates with our learners around the world.Learning + Curriculum
Learning + Curriculum focuses on making Duolingo effective through learning science and pedagogical expertise.Business
Business ensures we're growing at a high level, while also overseeing Duolingo English Test and our Assessment team.People
The People team finds, unites, champions, and inspires mission-driven Duos, enabling all of us to do the most meaningful work of our careers.Finance
Finance and Accounting makes sure we're investing in the right areas so we can continue to expand our mission.
Our Benefits
We put tremendous thought and care into caring for our Duos.
High-quality insurance plans for Duos, as well as eligible partners and dependents
20 days of PTO, a 2-week winter break, 7 company holidays, and unlimited sick time
A $10k first-time home buyer bonus to Pittsburgh-based employees
International trips to practice a new language after 2+ years as a Duo
Up to $100 a month to spend on diverse activities and interests
Our Locations
Pittsburgh, PA Our headquarters are right where we started.
New York City, NY
Seattle, WA
Detroit, MI
Beijing, China
London, England
Berlin, Germany
Our Typical Interview Process
We evaluate for excellence in craft, leadership skills, and citizenship.
The Hiring Team will review your application and inform you of any next steps. We encourage you to apply!
- Update your resume, LinkedIn and/or portfolio
- Apply to the role that is most relevant to you
A conversation with a Recruiter about your professional experience, the open role, and what to expect.
- Familiarize yourself with the job listing
- Share why you’re interested in the open role
A deeper dive with a member of the Hiring Team to discuss the open role, your expertise, and what you bring.
- Prepare examples of how you’ve driven impact
- Bring questions you have about the open role
This varies by role, but will typically involve a live coding assessment, a take-home task, or a presentation.
- Use the resources provided, and practice in advance
- Make sure you understand the prompt clearly
A series of 1:1 interviews via Zoom, focused on your craft. Some roles may involve a presentation and additional leadership interviews.
- Familiarize yourself with our Operating Principles
- Prepare to share specific examples of your past work
Should you receive an offer, your Recruiter will walk you through the details, including benefits and any information specific to your role.
- Discuss what is most important to you in the role
- Share any other opportunities you may be considering
Celebrate! The moment you accept your offer; we’ll all be celebrating with you! Your future team may reach out to congratulate you and say hello.
- Do something nice for yourself!
- Confirm your start date with your Recruiter
You made it! You’re officially a Nuo (a new Duo), and we’ll give you everything you need to get started. Plus, you’ll get some cool swag.
- Prepare to onboard at our Pittsburgh HQ
- Meet your teammates and our senior leadership
Job Openings
Featured jobs
Senior Software Engineer, Backend (Score)
Staff Technical Program Manager
FAQ
- What is Duolingo’s office policy?
- What is it like to work at Duolingo?
- What does Duolingo look for in hires?
- What is the interview process at Duolingo?
- What if I need an accommodation for my interview?
- I applied for a role and was not selected. Can I reapply?
- Can I apply for multiple positions?
- What is Duolingo’s philosophy on candidates using AI for interviews?
- How can candidates tell if a message claiming to be from Duolingo is real?