Apollo GraphQL is the industry standard for GraphQL API orchestration. By providing a declarative, graph-based approach, Apollo helps engineering teams unify their data and services into a "Supergraph." This infrastructure allows developers to build better software faster, connecting AI agents, web, and mobile apps to backend services seamlessly. With over 1 billion downloads and adoption by major enterprises, Apollo has cemented its position as a leader in both open-source and commercial API technologies. The company is currently valued at $1.5 billion following a $130 million Series D round.
Apollo GraphQL operates with four core values: Empowering others, Stewardship, Caring, and a Growth mindset. As a globally distributed company with "Apollonauts" across 10 countries and 13 time zones, the culture emphasizes transparency and collaboration. The "Empowering others" value is reflected both in how they build tools for developers and how they support teammates internally. "Stewardship" drives their focus on putting time, talents, and the graph itself to their highest and best use. Employees frequently highlight the supportive environment, empathetic leadership, and the genuine commitment to work-life balance.
At Apollo, you'll be building the future of API infrastructure. Engineering teams work on core products like the GraphOS Router, Apollo Connectors, and tools for schema management and performance observability. Depending on your role, you might be developing in Rust for high-performance runtime components, building intuitive developer tools in TypeScript, or working on platform security and access management. The company operates entirely remotely, meaning asynchronous communication and strong written documentation are essential parts of the daily workflow.
Apollo GraphQL offers competitive compensation packages. Software Engineers can expect base salaries ranging from $110K for entry-level or remote roles to over $310K for senior positions, supplemented by equity. The company provides a comprehensive benefits package tailored for a distributed workforce. Key perks include Flexible Time Off (FTO) focused on employee well-being, comprehensive health insurance, retirement benefits, and a remote-first setup that eliminates commute times. They also emphasize professional development and continuous learning.
The interview process at Apollo GraphQL is thorough, reflecting their commitment to hiring top talent who align with their values. Candidates typically report an average difficulty level (around 3.1 out of 5). The process usually spans a few weeks and can include up to 4-5 rounds. It begins with an initial recruiter screen, followed by technical assessments (often coding or system design for engineers), and deep-dive interviews focusing on past experiences. Behavioral interviews are heavily weighted towards their core values, with situation-based questions such as walking through a past project or customer onboarding experience.
Why Join: If you are passionate about developer tools, open-source software, and API architecture, Apollo is an incredible place to work. You get to build products that directly impact how millions of developers build software. The remote-first culture is highly refined, offering true flexibility and a supportive environment with smart, kind colleagues.
Why Not: As a remote-first company, those who thrive on daily in-person interactions and bustling office environments might feel isolated. Additionally, working on deeply technical infrastructure like API orchestration and graph routing requires a steep learning curve and a high degree of technical rigor, which may not appeal to developers who prefer building user-facing product features.
Founded
2011
Employees
201-500
Valuation
$1.5B valuation, $183M total funding
Work Model
Remote-first (Globally distributed)
4-5 rounds, mix of technical assessments and value-based behavioral questions