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Software Engineer II (Backend) – Authoring Platform

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Fast Facts

Coursera is seeking a Software Engineer II for their Authoring Platform team to develop backend services and integrate AI workflows, enhancing their online learning tools.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include designing scalable services, integrating AI capabilities, collaborating cross-functionally, and maintaining production readiness standards.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Skills: Candidates should have 3+ years of experience in backend software development, proficiency in Java or similar languages, and experience with microservices and event-driven architectures.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include a background in content platforms, experience with GraphQL, and strong collaboration skills in remote teams.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Location: This position is remote and can be done from anywhere in the US, with flexibility in workspace choices.

liETtVLaARqgmMEbYzHNNLIzUPcdfPrwhYtVK7Qa.png Compensation: $110000 - $145750 / Annually



Launched in 2012 by two Stanford professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, Coursera is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 168 million registered learners. Our mission is to provide universal access to world-class learning. We partner with over 350 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations and Professional Certificates degrees. Institutions around the world use Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, citizens, and students in fields such as GenAI, data science, technology, and business. Coursera is a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp.

Join us in our mission to create a world where anyone, anywhere can transform their life through access to education. We're seeking talented individuals who share our passion and drive to revolutionize the way the world learns.

At Coursera, we are committed to building a globally diverse team and are thrilled to extend employment opportunities to individuals in any country where we have a legal entity. We require candidates to possess eligible working rights and have a compatible timezone overlap with their team to facilitate seamless collaboration. 

Coursera has a commitment to enabling flexibility and workspace choices for employees. Our interviews and onboarding are entirely virtual, providing a smooth and efficient experience for our candidates. As an employee, we enable you to select your main way of working, whether it's from home, one of our offices or hubs, or a co-working space near you.

Job Overview:

The Authoring Team builds Coursera's core platforms and tools for creating rich, high-quality online learning experiences. This role will work on our AI-assisted Course Builder and backend services that enable universities, governments, and businesses to efficiently create and scale learning content. The engineer will collaborate with product, design, and AI teams to build robust, scalable systems critical to Coursera’s mission.

Responsibilities:

  • Design and build scalable backend services supporting Course Builder and other authoring tools.
  • Integrate AI-assisted workflows, content ingestion, and assessment generation capabilities.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver features from design to production.
  • Implement robust monitoring, alerting, and production readiness standards.
  • Contribute to design discussions, code reviews, and technical decision-making.
  • Stay current on Generative AI trends to influence new features and system evolution.

Basic Qualifications:

  • 3+ years of backend software engineering experience.
  • Experience with Java or similar object-oriented programming languages.
  • Hands-on experience designing scalable microservices and REST/gRPC APIs.
  • Experience with databases such as MySQL or DynamoDB.
  • Experience working with event-driven architectures using Kafka or similar systems.
  • Experience with Generative AI applications including prompt engineering and using APIs such as OpenAI, Claude, or Gemini.
  • Familiarity with emerging GenAI features like function calling, chain of thought reasoning, and agentic workflows.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Background in content platforms.
  • Experience with GraphQL and gRPC-based service design.
  • Familiarity with prompt engineering and quality measurements on prompt responses
  • Strong collaboration skills in remote-first, cross-functional teams.

If this opportunity interests you, you might like these courses on Coursera:

Compensation: 

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The starting base pay for this role is between $110,000 and $145,750. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, and benefits. 

Coursera is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected class.

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please contact us at accommodations@coursera.org.

For California Candidates, please review our CCPA Applicant Notice here.

For our Global Candidates, please review our GDPR Recruitment Notice here.

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Average salary estimate

$127875 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$110000K
$145750K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Software Engineer II (Backend) – Authoring Platform, Coursera

Join Coursera as a Software Engineer II on the Authoring Platform team, where you will play a crucial role in developing backend services and integrating AI workflows that enhance our online learning tools. This exciting remote position allows you to work from anywhere in the US, providing flexibility in your workspace choices. With a minimum of 3 years of experience in backend software development, you’ll have the chance to design scalable systems that support the Course Builder and other authoring tools. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product, design, and AI, ensuring the features we develop are robust and production-ready. Your expertise in Java or similar languages and your hands-on experience with microservices and event-driven architectures will be key as you integrate AI-assisted workflows, content ingestion, and assessment generation capabilities. Staying current with Generative AI trends will allow you to contribute innovative ideas to our systems. If you’re passionate about creating exceptional online learning experiences and enjoy collaborative work in a remote-friendly environment, this Software Engineer II role at Coursera is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the world of education.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Software Engineer II (Backend) – Authoring Platform Role at Coursera
What are the responsibilities of a Software Engineer II at Coursera?

As a Software Engineer II at Coursera, your primary responsibilities will include designing and building scalable backend services for our Course Builder and other essential authoring tools. You will also integrate AI workflows, collaborate with cross-functional teams, maintain production readiness standards, and contribute to technical discussions and code reviews.

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What qualifications are required for the Software Engineer II position at Coursera?

To apply for the Software Engineer II position at Coursera, you should have a minimum of 3 years of experience in backend software development and proficiency in Java or similar languages. Experience with microservices, event-driven architectures, and AI applications, combined with strong collaboration skills in remote teams, is highly desirable.

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Is the Software Engineer II role at Coursera remote?

Yes, the Software Engineer II position at Coursera is fully remote, allowing you to work from anywhere in the United States. We prioritize flexible workspace choices to help you strike a balance between productivity and comfort.

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What technologies will I work with as a Software Engineer II at Coursera?

In the Software Engineer II role at Coursera, you'll engage with various technologies such as Java, microservices, REST/gRPC APIs, and databases like MySQL or DynamoDB. You will also gain hands-on experience with Generative AI applications, Kafka event systems, and emerging GenAI features.

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How does Coursera support employee growth for Software Engineer II positions?

Coursera is committed to employee growth, emphasizing ongoing learning and development. As a Software Engineer II, you will have access to our vast catalog of courses and resources, allowing you to continuously enhance your skills and stay updated with industry trends, particularly in AI and software development.

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Common Interview Questions for Software Engineer II (Backend) – Authoring Platform
Can you describe your experience with backend development?

When discussing your backend development experience, focus on projects where you've designed scalable systems. Highlight your work with specific technologies like Java, microservices, and databases. Provide examples of challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.

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How do you ensure production readiness in your projects?

To ensure production readiness, I implement rigorous testing, code reviews, and monitoring standards. I prioritize writing clean, maintainable code, and proactively address potential issues. Sharing responsibility with the team for production environments is also key.

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What is your approach to collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Collaboration is vital, so I actively engage with team members from different disciplines early in the project. This way, we align on goals and expectations. Regular communication through stand-up meetings and collaborative tools helps facilitate a smooth project progression.

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Can you explain your experience with microservices architecture?

Certainly! I have designed and developed microservices that ensure scalability and flexibility in applications. Discussing specific projects where I’ve implemented microservices architecture, I emphasize how it allowed for independent deployments and improved system resilience.

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How have you integrated AI capabilities into your software projects?

In my previous projects, I integrated AI by leveraging APIs for natural language processing or machine learning. I worked closely with AI teams to create seamless workflows that enhanced user engagement and personalized experiences in applications.

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How do you stay updated with technological advancements in software engineering?

I continually seek knowledge by participating in online courses, following tech blogs, and attending webinars or conferences. This helps me stay abreast of trends and advancements, especially in areas like AI and cloud computing.

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Describe a challenging project you completed and how you managed it.

In a past project, I faced significant scaling challenges. I addressed these through a combination of optimizing our architecture and introducing new caching strategies. Sharing the specifics of the solutions we implemented demonstrates problem-solving abilities.

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What strategies do you use to test your code effectively?

I use a combination of unit testing, integration testing, and automated testing tools to ensure code quality. I also advocate for test-driven development (TDD) practices to catch issues early in the development process.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What do you believe is critical when designing APIs?

When designing APIs, clarity and documentation are essential. I focus on ensuring APIs are user-friendly, efficient, and well-documented. Engaging in discussions on potential use cases during the design phase can significantly enhance usability.

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Why are you interested in working at Coursera as a Software Engineer II?

I’m excited about the opportunity at Coursera because I share your mission of providing universal access to education. I believe my skills in backend development and passion for leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences align perfectly with the team’s goals.

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CULTURE VALUES
Inclusive & Diverse
Mission Driven
Empathetic
Collaboration over Competition
Growth & Learning
BENEFITS & PERKS
Performance Bonus
Equity
Learning & Development
Maternity Leave
Paternity Leave
Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Time-Off
Social Gatherings
Flex-Friendly
Mental Health Resources
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Full-time, remote
DATE POSTED
April 9, 2025

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