Backend Software Developer

As a Backend Software Developer, your main responsibilities include building and expanding data analysis products and APIs in Go, collaborating with frontend engineers, monitoring server-side performance, and conducting tests to ensure high-quality code. You'll also participate in code reviews and help improve engineering standards and tooling, all while supporting production applications.

To qualify for this position, you should have demonstrable experience with server-side web development, particularly in languages like Java, Python, or Golang. Familiarity with RESTful APIs, data ingestion, and computer science fundamentals such as data structures and concurrency is essential. A collaborative mindset and a commitment to producing maintainable code are highly valued.

As part of the team, you will primarily work with Golang for building APIs and features. Additional technologies include Redis for data management and NATS for messaging. Familiarity with networking technologies like TCP and HTTP will also be beneficial as you develop and maintain the platform.

The company fosters a dynamic culture that emphasizes a 'you-build-it-you-run-it' approach. This means you’ll not only develop features but also take responsibility for their performance in production. Team collaboration, open communication, and a shared commitment to high-quality coding standards create an engaging and supportive environment for Backend Software Developers.

The compensation for a Backend Software Developer ranges from $127,000 to $204,000, depending on experience and geography. In addition to salary, employees receive RSUs, comprehensive health insurance, vision and dental coverage, and mental health benefits, making it a competitive package in the industry.

In answering this question, outline your specific experiences with languages you've used, such as Java or Golang. Share any projects where you've built APIs, and discuss your understanding of the server-side architecture. Providing examples of challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and lessons learned will showcase your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge.

Discuss your coding practices and how you document your code to enhance readability. Mention the importance of writing self-explanatory functions or classes, as well as your approach to code reviews and testing. Highlight your commitment to using design patterns and best practices that contribute to long-term maintainability.

Emphasize your communication skills and willingness to engage with frontend engineers regularly to ensure cohesive development. Talk about any past experiences where you collaborated on projects, focusing on how you handled feedback and worked together to deliver successful features.

Showcase your understanding of performance metrics and the importance of monitoring. Discuss techniques you've used such as optimizing database queries, caching strategies, or load balancing. Provide examples of specific challenges you've faced related to performance and how you addressed them.

Talk about the role of unit tests in catching bugs early and ensuring that individual components function correctly. For integration tests, emphasize their importance in validating that different parts of the system work together seamlessly. Share your experience in writing and maintaining tests and how this practice enhances overall code quality.

Describe the data ingestion methods you are familiar with, like batch processing or streaming data. Talk about specific technologies you’ve used, such as message queues or ETL tools, and any challenges related to data integrity and performance you’ve successfully navigated.

Discuss your approach to continuous learning, whether it's through online courses, attending conferences, or participating in developer communities. Mention any blogs, podcasts, or books that you follow and how you apply new knowledge to your work.

Provide an overview of your API development experience, focusing on RESTful API principles. Discuss your familiarity with CRUD operations, response formats, and any documentation tools you've utilized. Including specific project examples where you implemented APIs will strengthen your response.

Illustrate your adaptability by discussing how you prioritize tasks and remain flexible when requirements shift. Talk about maintaining open communication with stakeholders and your willingness to innovate or adjust development plans as needed to meet evolving project goals.

Explain your previous involvement with on-call duties, showcasing how you managed incidents and ensured system reliability. Discuss your approach for preparation, troubleshooting, and post-mortem analysis to improve system performance and reduce downtime.