Senior Backend Engineer

The Senior Backend Engineer at CoinTracker is responsible for architecting and scaling backend systems to support millions of users. This involves leading technical projects, designing complex data processing pipelines, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align technical execution with business goals. You'll also mentor other engineers to ensure best practices and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

To apply for the Senior Backend Engineer position at CoinTracker, candidates should have at least 8 years of backend engineering experience, a strong grasp of computer science fundamentals, and deep knowledge of backend technologies including databases and distributed systems. Experience in crypto or financial systems is a bonus, and a passion for the startup environment is essential.

CoinTracker supports its Senior Backend Engineers through mentorship opportunities, a collaborative team environment, and a strong focus on professional development. The company fosters an innovative culture where ideas are encouraged, and engineers can influence technical direction. Employees also benefit from a comprehensive benefits package, including equity.

As a Senior Backend Engineer at CoinTracker, you will work with a wide range of technologies including Python, Flask, PostgreSQL, and Redis, among others. Familiarity with cloud infrastructure, such as GCP and Docker, is helpful. While prior experience with these specific technologies is advantageous, a willingness to learn is equally important.

The engineering culture at CoinTracker stands out due to its mission-driven approach and emphasis on collaboration and mentorship. Engineers have the opportunity to take on high-impact projects and see the direct effects of their work on users' lives. Additionally, the focus on continuous integration and automated deployments maintains a fast-paced yet stable work environment.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you designed backend architectures. Discuss how you approached scalability, reliability, and performance. Include details about technologies used and any challenges overcame that showcase your problem-solving skills.

To answer effectively, discuss specific techniques such as indexing, optimizing joins, and analyzing query execution plans. Provide examples of past experiences where you implemented these strategies to improve performance and efficiency in a project.

Explain your adaptive approach to project management, illustrating how continuous communication and collaboration with stakeholders is key. Discuss methods you use to ensure that evolving requirements are effectively integrated without sacrificing project timelines.

Share your experience mentoring junior developers, focusing on strategies you use to encourage learning and growth. Highlight specific examples where your guidance led to their successes and improvement in team dynamics.

Provide a specific example of a difficult technical issue, the steps you took to analyze and resolve it, and the impact your solution had on the project or team. This showcases your critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Discuss your coding practices that focus on maintainability and performance, such as unit testing, code reviews, and best practices in software design. Mention any tools or methodologies you use to uphold code quality in your projects.

Highlight your familiarity with cloud services and deployment strategies, particularly if you have experience with GCP, AWS, or Azure. Discuss how you've utilized these platforms to enhance system performance and scale.

Discuss your time management strategies, such as the use of prioritization frameworks (like the Eisenhower Matrix) and tools to keep track of deadlines. Provide examples of how these strategies led to successful project completions.

Describe your systematic approach to troubleshooting, emphasizing your ability to analyze logs, monitor system metrics, and collaborate with others for swift problem resolution. Include a specific example if possible.

When responding, align your interests with CoinTracker’s mission and values. Discuss your passion for cryptocurrency and your desire to contribute to solutions that simplify users’ financial lives, as well as your excitement about working in a dynamic, early-stage startup.