Staff Software Engineer, Backend
Own backend architecture across multiple services, write production code, and drive technical direction at a social marketplace platform. Requires 8+ years experience scaling distributed systems with deep expertise in APIs, data modeling, and cloud infrastructure.
About the job
Key Responsibilities
- Own backend architecture across multiple services and team boundaries, from design through implementation
- Write production code daily and set the standard on quality, reliability, and engineering practice
- Partner with engineering leads and product managers to scope large initiatives and define what "done" actually means
- Improve scalability, performance, and reliability as the platform grows
- Identify and clear technical debt across teams, not only within your immediate scope
- Build security and observability into systems from day one rather than bolting them on later
- Build with data in mind: instrumentation, pipelines, and tooling that surface meaningful insight for organizers and the business
- Mentor engineers across levels and shape technical culture through reviews, design discussions, and direct coaching
- Participate in technical interviews and calibration
Requirements
- 8+ years of backend engineering experience, including time as a Staff, Principal, or technical lead
- Has designed and delivered systems that span multiple services or teams with clear ownership of the outcome
- Deep expertise in backend systems: APIs, data modeling, distributed systems, event-driven architecture
- Strong working knowledge of the full stack
- Proficient in technologies relevant to our stack (e.g., Java, Node.js, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, AWS or similar cloud providers)
- Has scaled platforms operationally, not just designed them on paper
- Pragmatic about technology choices and can defend tradeoffs
- Communicates technical tradeoffs clearly to engineers, product, and business leaders
- Mentors and raises the engineering bar for the people around them
- Experience at a consumer, social, or marketplace company is a plus
Skills
Java, Node.js, Postgres, MongoDB, AWS, Distributed Systems, Event-Driven Architecture, APIs, Data Modeling, Observability
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