Backend Engineer for Integrations team (Node.js/TypeScript)

As a Backend Engineer for the Integrations team at Apify, your responsibilities will include designing and implementing backend services using Node.js and TypeScript, building and maintaining APIs and webhooks for seamless integration with platforms like Zapier, and collaborating with other engineers and stakeholders to define integration requirements. You'll also troubleshoot any performance issues, ensuring that our services remain responsive and efficient.

To thrive as a Backend Engineer on the Integrations team at Apify, you should have a technical background in software development with a strong focus on Node.js and TypeScript. Expertise in RESTful API design and microservices architecture is essential, alongside a collaborative mindset. While experience with Python isn't mandatory, it could be beneficial.

In your role as a Backend Engineer at Apify, you'll work with a diverse tech stack that includes Node.js, TypeScript, Express.js, and MongoDB on the backend. Additionally, you'll engage with AWS for infrastructure management and utilize tools like GitHub for version control and ZenHub for workflow management. This modern stack supports your work in developing integrations and backend services.

Apify fosters a supportive and flexible work environment for Backend Engineers. You’ll have the freedom to work remotely and enjoy flexible hours, which cater to both early birds and night owls! The company promotes autonomy and personal growth, with ample opportunities for professional development through training budgets and learning sessions.

Apify offers a comprehensive benefits package for its employees, including stock options, profit sharing, unlimited vacation days as long as the work gets done, and a generous hardware budget. You'll also enjoy free lunches, unlimited snacks, and access to recreational activities like ping pong and a Multisport card. All these perks contribute to a work-life balance that prioritizes employee well-being.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects you've worked on using Node.js and TypeScript, including challenges faced and how you overcame them. Be sure to emphasize your understanding of asynchronous programming and any relevant libraries or frameworks you used to optimize your code.

Share your process for designing RESTful APIs, including how you gather requirements, define endpoints, and document your work. Discuss your experience with versioning and handling updates without disrupting users, as well as any tools you use for testing and monitoring API performance.

In your response, provide a concrete example of a bottleneck you encountered, detailing the circumstances and the steps you took to identify and resolve the issue. Highlight your problem-solving skills and how you collaborated with your team to find a solution quickly.

Discuss best practices you follow for maintaining code quality, such as adhering to coding standards, using meaningful variable names, implementing proper documentation, and utilizing code reviews. Mention any tools or frameworks that assist you in writing testable and maintainable code.

Share your methods for assessing the urgency and importance of tasks, such as using Agile methodologies, breaking down projects into manageable sprints, and leveraging tools like ZenHub for tracking progress. Emphasize the importance of communication with your team to align priorities.

Provide specific examples of integration apps you've built, focusing on the design and implementation of the connection between different platforms. Discuss any challenges you faced while integrating APIs and how you ensured a smooth user experience throughout the process.

Choose a challenging project that demonstrates your technical expertise and problem-solving abilities. Describe the challenge, why it was significant, and the steps you took to address it, along with the final outcome and lessons learned from the experience.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning by following industry blogs, attending webinars, and participating in online communities. Mention any specific resources or platforms you use to keep your skills sharp and learn about emerging technologies relevant to backend development.

Share an example that illustrates your experience working with product managers, designers, or other engineers. Highlight the importance of clear communication, how you navigated differing priorities, and the strategies you used to ensure a successful project outcome.

Explain your approach to optimizing backend services for performance, discussing aspects like load balancing, caching strategies, and asynchronous processing. Highlight tools or techniques you utilize for monitoring and maintaining performance metrics to ensure a responsive user experience.