Backend Software Engineer, Payments

As a Backend Software Engineer at Cohere, you will be integral in improving our platform's authentication, billing, and payment systems. You’ll write and deploy optimized code, often reinventing standard tools to meet our stringent security and privacy requirements. Collaborating closely with researchers, you'll work on productionizing state-of-the-art models, making complex technology accessible for our customers.

To qualify as a Backend Software Engineer at Cohere, you should have a minimum of 8 years of experience writing clean backend code. Expertise in payment systems, subscription models, and familiarity with Golang or Python is vital. Experience in both large enterprises and startups, along with a knack for adapting quickly to shifting priorities, are also desired.

Cohere primarily utilizes Golang and Python in its technology stack for Backend Software Engineer roles. Familiarity with these languages will significantly enhance your ability to contribute effectively to our team's projects and initiatives regarding payment and billing systems.

Cohere is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive. We believe that diverse perspectives enhance our product quality. As a Backend Software Engineer, you'll find an open culture that values collaboration and idea-sharing among all employees.

Backend Software Engineers at Cohere enjoy numerous perks including a weekly lunch stipend, full health and dental benefits, a generous parental leave policy, remote flexibility, and 6 weeks of vacation. We also provide personal enrichment benefits, supporting activities in arts, fitness, and workspace improvements.

When answering this question, share detailed examples of payment systems you've built or contributed to. Discuss challenges faced, solutions implemented, and any metrics that demonstrate success. Highlight your understanding of subscription models or freemium pricing, as these are crucial for the role at Cohere.

Discuss specific security practices you've implemented in your backend development, such as validating input data, using encryption methods, and following security protocols. Emphasize your commitment to reinventing standard practices when necessary, as mentioned in the Cohere job description.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. Highlight how your collaboration made a significant impact on a project. At Cohere, teamwork between engineers and researchers is vital, so focus on the positive outcomes of your contributions.

Share examples of how you've successfully pivoted in past projects. Emphasize your organizational skills, prioritization techniques, or tools you used to remain focused on key deliverables while managing shifting objectives.

Outline a specific project where you optimized your code for performance or resource efficiency. Emphasize the methodologies you employed to achieve this and how it aligns with Cohere's focus on minimal code for stringent deployment.

Discuss your knowledge of these billing models, including pros and cons. Illustrate your experience with implementing such models and suggest any best practices you believe are essential for maximizing user satisfaction and revenue.

Highlight your code organization strategies, documentation practices, and testing methodologies. Emphasize the importance of readability and maintainability in your work, ensuring that other team members can easily collaborate on the codebase.

Discuss specific challenges, such as scaling issues or integrating new technologies. Focus on the solutions you applied and the lessons learned, showcasing your problem-solving skills relevant to Cohere's complex technology landscape.

Explain your approach to assessing security risks, identifying areas where existing tools fall short, and researching innovative solutions. Illustrate your ability to think critically under pressure while ensuring the task aligns with Cohere’s security-first culture.

Align your answer with Cohere's mission and values. Share specific aspects of AI technology and its applications that resonate with you, demonstrating your enthusiasm for contributing to a meaningful cause while working alongside a talented team.