Senior Backend Engineer (Python)

As a Senior Backend Engineer (Python) at Tide, your key responsibilities include defining and maintaining services within your domain, collaborating with product teams to select technology partners, and aligning your squad’s vision with the company architecture. You'll be deeply involved in both design and implementation while mentoring junior engineers and contributing to the Community of Practice.

To apply for the Senior Backend Engineer (Python) role at Tide, you should have proven experience as a Python Developer, a basic grasp of software engineering principles like SOLID and ACID, and hands-on experience with AWS and frameworks such as Django or Flask. Familiarity with REST APIs and agile methodologies is also essential. A passion for continuous learning and teamwork is highly valued.

In the Senior Backend Engineer (Python) role at Tide, you'll primarily work with Python and AWS services, including Lambda and S3. You'll also get the chance to engage with other technologies in our stack such as PostgreSQL, Google BigQuery, and Terraform, allowing you to enhance your technical skill set in a supportive environment.

Tide emphasizes career development for all employees, including Senior Backend Engineers. Through our Tide Growth Framework, you’ll have structured opportunities for career advancement, regular performance feedback, and professional development resources—including a personal learning and development budget—to help you fulfill your career ambitions.

Tide fosters an inclusive and collaborative working culture. As a Senior Backend Engineer (Python), you'll be part of agile teams working in a supportive environment focused on innovation. Regular interactions with product owners, mobile and web engineers, and access to Communities of Practice encourage knowledge sharing and teamwork, all while remaining aligned with Tide’s mission.

In preparing for the position of Senior Backend Engineer at Tide, you should understand SOLID principles, which are foundational for writing maintainable and scalable software. SOLID consists of five principles: Single Responsibility, Open/Closed, Liskov Substitution, Interface Segregation, and Dependency Inversion. Clearly articulating each principle and providing real-world examples will demonstrate your expertise during the interview.

In your interview for the Senior Backend Engineer (Python) role, describe methods such as using design patterns, refactoring for readability, and conducting regular code reviews. Mention how these strategies not only enhance code quality but also support the agile development process by making it easier for teams to work collaboratively and efficiently.

Discuss your practical experience with AWS services relevant to the position, such as AWS Lambda or S3, focusing on how you’ve used these services in past projects, the impact on performance, and any challenges you overcame while integrating them. This will showcase your hands-on expertise as a Senior Backend Engineer at Tide.

For this question, think of a specific situation that required critical thinking and technical skills relevant to the challenges Tide faces. Clearly outline the problem, the approach you took, and the outcome. Highlighting your analytical skills and how you worked with teams will resonate well during your interview.

In your response, emphasize your time management skills and the importance of staying organized. Discuss strategies you've implemented in past positions, like agile practices, prioritization techniques, or effective communication with team members, to handle time constraints while maintaining code quality.

Describe your familiarity with API testing frameworks like Postman or automated testing tools. Talk about how you ensure APIs are robust, reliable, and meet the required functional specifications. This knowledge will be beneficial for your role as a Senior Backend Engineer at Tide, where REST API integrations are key.

Share your mentoring philosophy and methods for empowering junior engineers, such as regular check-ins, pair programming sessions, or facilitating discussions in Communities of Practice. Highlight any past successes in mentoring roles to illustrate your commitment to team development.

Express the importance of effective collaboration in your response, mentioning how cross-functional communication, trust, and shared goals contribute to successful project outcomes. Provide examples of how you've successfully worked in teams to highlight your people skills as a Senior Backend Engineer.

When answering this question, mention Tide's mission to support small businesses and how you resonate with their values. Discuss how the company's innovative approaches to banking technology excite you, and share your eagerness to contribute to the team as a Senior Backend Engineer.

In your response, highlight ways you stay informed, such as attending conferences, participating in online courses, or following industry leaders. This will show your commitment to ongoing learning and adaptation, aligning with Tide's emphasis on professional growth.