# Software Engineer, Backend

**Company:** [character.ai](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/characterai)
**Location:** Redwood City, CA
**Role:** Backend Engineering
**Salary:** $180k – $300k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Python, Go, Java, Postgres, MySQL, Rest, GraphQL, Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kafka, RabbitMQ, CI/CD
**Posted:** 2025-12-08

> Builds and maintains scalable backend systems and APIs, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance solutions aligned with business needs. Requires 5+ years experience with Python/Go, databases, cloud platforms, and containerization.

## Job Description

## What you’ll do

- Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services that support our applications and infrastructure.
- Implement secure and efficient APIs to support frontend applications and third-party integrations.
- Optimize system performance, reliability, and scalability through effective architecture and engineering best practices.
- Work closely with product managers, data analysts, and frontend engineers to develop backend solutions that align with business and user needs.
- Ensure high availability, fault tolerance, and performance of backend systems.
- Monitor system health, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and stability.
- Maintain security best practices to protect user data and system integrity.
- Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies in backend development and distributed systems.

## Who you are

- 5+ years of experience in backend development, building scalable and reliable applications.
- Strong proficiency in programming languages such as **Python**, **Java**, or **Go**. Python and Go are preferred.
- Experience with database technologies such as **PostgreSQL**, **MySQL**, or NoSQL solutions.
- Familiarity with designing and integrating APIs, including **REST** and **GraphQL**.
- Understanding of distributed systems, microservices architecture, and cloud platforms (**AWS**, **GCP**, or **Azure**).
- Experience with containerization and orchestration tools like **Docker** and **Kubernetes**.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to optimize system performance and reliability.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.

**Preferred Qualifications**

- Experience with event-driven architectures and messaging systems (**Kafka**, **RabbitMQ**, etc.).
- Knowledge of caching strategies and performance optimization techniques.
- Experience working on large-scale, high-traffic applications.
- Familiarity with **CI/CD** pipelines and DevOps best practices.
- Exposure to machine learning or data-driven applications.

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**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/4fab7d6f-dcd5-406c-9448-fb5f5dc9e0bb
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/4fab7d6f-dcd5-406c-9448-fb5f5dc9e0bb