Senior Backend Engineer (Java+Python) (USA time zone)

Overview:
We are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to lead the development of core backend services within a modern microservice infrastructure that powers mobile and embedded clients. This is a senior, hands-on role with architectural ownership, ideal for an engineer who enjoys building scalable distributed systems, designing secure and reliable APIs, and mentoring other developers. You will drive technical decisions and collaborate closely with architects, frontend engineers, and product teams to deliver future-proof backend solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and development of backend services using Java in a Docker/Kubernetes-based environment;
• Drive architectural improvements and establish backend best practices across the platform;
• Design, implement, and optimize event-driven systems based on Kafka;
• Build secure, scalable RESTful APIs for internal and external consumers;
• Design and query complex data models using PostgreSQL, with strong focus on performance and reliability;
• Collaborate closely with frontend and product teams to deliver features end-to-end, from concept to production;
• Ensure system reliability and observability through logging, tracing, and monitoring;
• Enable integrations with data pipelines and ML-powered services as part of data-driven and AI initiatives;
• Mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and support team-wide technical growth.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of professional experience in backend development within microservice and cloud-native environments;
• Strong production experience with Java (e.g., Spring Boot or similar frameworks);
• Python experience is a plus, especially for data pipelines, ML integration, or scripting tasks;
• Deep understanding of:
  • Kafka and event-driven architectures;
  • PostgreSQL, including advanced schema design and query optimization;
  • Secure API design and implementation (OAuth2, HTTPS, mTLS).
• Hands-on experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines in production;
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives and make architectural decisions;
• Demonstrated experience mentoring or guiding less experienced engineers;
• Exposure to video streaming backends or media platforms is a plus;
• Strong interest or background in ML- or data-driven applications;
• Bonus: Experience with observability stacks (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana) or real-time analytics systems.