Senior / Staff Backend Engineer

As a Senior/Staff Backend Engineer at Ascertain, you'll be responsible for designing and developing scalable backend services primarily using Python and FastAPI. You will also manage infrastructure using Kubernetes and Docker, collaborate with product and design teams to define technical requirements, participate in code reviews, and mentor junior developers, shaping our engineering culture.

To qualify for the Senior/Staff Backend Engineer role at Ascertain, you’ll need over 5 years of experience in backend development, particularly with Python and FastAPI. A strong understanding of relational databases, caching systems, and modern DevOps tools like Docker and Kubernetes is also essential. Experience in secure environments and a proactive approach within startup settings are highly valued.

At Ascertain, we prioritize employee development and career growth for our Senior/Staff Backend Engineers. You will have significant ownership of projects and will be encouraged to take on leadership roles, mentoring junior developers. Our collaborative environment allows for continuous learning and the opportunity to shape the technical direction of the company, paving your path for advancement.

Yes! Ascertain offers a flexible hybrid work model, allowing you to work from our NYC office or remotely. We trust our team members to manage their schedules effectively while being part of a collaborative and innovative work environment.

The Senior/Staff Backend Engineer plays a crucial role at Ascertain by building the infrastructure and services that drive our healthcare AI platform. By automating tedious administrative tasks, you help improve efficiency in healthcare organizations, ultimately allowing providers to focus on delivering high-quality patient care, making a direct impact on patients' lives.

In your response, highlight specific projects where you've used Python and FastAPI to build scalable backend services. Discuss the architectures you've implemented, how you've handled APIs, and any performance optimizations you achieved.

Talk about your experience with tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform, explaining why you choose particular technologies for specific scenarios, and how they aid in CI/CD processes and infrastructure scalability.

Mention practices such as code reviews, unit testing, and adhering to coding standards. Explain how you foster a collaborative culture around code quality and engage team members in the review process.

Describe a specific instance where you faced a technical challenge. Explain the problem, the logical steps you took to resolve it, and the outcome. Highlight any teamwork involved and what you learned from the experience.

Discuss your security-minded approach to infrastructure design, including practices for handling regulated environments, implementing secure coding practices, and how you stay updated with industry best practices for security.

Share your mentoring philosophy and previous experiences providing guidance to junior team members. Discuss how you've helped them grow technically and professionally, and the methods you've employed to foster learning.

Express the importance of collaboration with team members and how open communication can improve project outcomes. Cite examples of how you typically divide your time among individual tasks and collaborative efforts.

Provide an example of a project where you assumed ownership, detailing the responsibilities involved, the challenges you faced, and how you successfully navigated through them to deliver results.

Talk about your passion for innovation and how the dynamic nature of startups allows you to leverage your skills effectively. Discuss any specific motivations related to healthcare AI or transforming traditional processes.

Describe your strategies for continuous learning, whether through attending workshops, following industry leaders, or contributing to open-source projects. Emphasize your commitment to staying ahead in a rapidly changing tech landscape.