Backend Engineer for Developer Platform (Node.js/TypeScript)

As a Backend Engineer for Developer Platform at Apify, your responsibilities include developing and maintaining our core web scraping and automation infrastructure on AWS, collaborating with cross-functional teams to create new features, and addressing complex scalability challenges. You will be working directly on projects that impact our user experience and contribute to our mission of collecting valuable data from the web.

To qualify as a Backend Engineer at Apify, you should have at least 2 years of industry experience in building backend systems and APIs. A strong technical background in TypeScript and Node.js is a must, along with familiarity with Linux. Experience with cloud platforms like AWS, as well as various technologies mentioned in our tech stack, will be considered a plus.

At Apify, the work environment is collaborative, flexible, and supportive. Our teams operate on two-week sprints, and we prioritize open communication. You’ll enjoy a space that fosters personal growth, the freedom to work remotely or in our fun offices, and the camaraderie that comes from team-building activities. Plus, you’ll have access to resources for training, education, and the opportunity to work across teams.

Apify’s backend tech stack includes TypeScript, Node.js, Next.js, and Express.js, along with AWS for our infrastructure. We use tools like MongoDB, Redis, and various monitoring software to ensure our systems run efficiently. Our team thrives on automation and code reviews, making our development process transparent and continuous.

Apify is an excellent place for Backend Engineers due to our commitment to innovation, open-source development, and personal autonomy. We provide flexible working hours, stock options, and a strong support system for professional development. Our office culture is vibrant and pet-friendly, offering a range of perks like free lunches and a generous hardware budget, making your work-life enjoyable.

Highlight specific projects where you used TypeScript and Node.js, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Explain how these technologies improved your project outcomes, and emphasize your continuous learning and adaptation to new features or updates.

Share your methodology for identifying bottlenecks and assessing performance in backend systems. Discuss how you have implemented solutions, whether through architectural changes, caching strategies, or load balancing, and provide examples from your previous experiences.

Mention the tools you're familiar with for monitoring and debugging—not just the ones required in the job specification. Provide examples of how you've used these tools to maintain system health or troubleshoot issues effectively.

Emphasize the importance of communication and alignment between backend and frontend teams. Describe how you've coordinated efforts on APIs, seamless integrations, and how you’ve participated in planning sessions or code reviews with your front-end counterparts.

Outline your hands-on experience with AWS's various services and how you've utilized them in your projects. Discuss the specific features you've leveraged, such as EC2, S3, or Lambda, and how they played a role in the success of your deployments.

Share insights about a challenging project, detailing your specific role, the obstacle you faced, and the outcome. This allows you to showcase your problem-solving skills and technical prowess, which are crucial for a Backend Engineer.

Detail the best practices you follow, such as writing tests, code reviews, and utilizing tools like ESLint or Prettier. Explain how these practices contribute to the overall success and maintainability of the codebase.

Discuss your proficiency with version control systems like Git, provide examples of collaborative projects where you've utilized branches, pull requests, and merging strategies, and highlight the importance of version control in team environments.

Focus on the need for open communication, shared goals, and collaborative problem-solving. Describe your experience contributing to team dynamics and how you've fostered an environment where all team members feel valued and engaged.

Share your strategies for continuous learning, such as following industry blogs, online courses, or attending conferences. Discuss any communities or forums you’re a part of that help you stay connected with advancements in backend engineering.