Backend Engineer (Node.js/AWS/K8s) - Infra Engineering - job 1 of 3

As a Backend Engineer focusing on Node.js, AWS, and Kubernetes at Deel, you'll be involved in product planning and deployment phases of the Software Development Lifecycle. Your main responsibilities will include collaborating with teams to create new features, ensure robust API development, maintain internal libraries, provide architectural guidance, and respond swiftly to production incidents, which is essential for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

To qualify as a Backend Engineer at Deel, you should have more than 5 years of engineering experience, particularly strong knowledge in Node.js and experience with cloud platforms like AWS. Familiarity with Kubernetes, Docker, and message brokers such as RabbitMQ or Kafka is also essential. Moreover, you should exhibit excellent problem-solving and system design skills, gained from managing complex, high-load systems.

Deel fosters a nurturing environment for career growth among Backend Engineers by emphasizing continuous learning and innovation. You’ll have the chance to work on significant projects across diverse teams, allowing for skill enhancement and internal career mobility. Further, Deel encourages participation in setting and enforcing engineering standards which adds to professional development.

At Deel, the Infra Engineering team is designed to support both the engineering and DevOps functions. A Backend Engineer will collaborate closely with a dedicated DevOps team, as well as cross-functional product teams, ensuring that development and operations are aligned and efficient. This structure promotes a cohesive atmosphere, enabling engineers to focus on innovation while maintaining operational standards.

The work culture at Deel is dynamic and inclusive, with an emphasis on collaboration and open communication. Backend Engineers can expect a supportive atmosphere that values diverse perspectives and creativity. With a focus on remote flexibility, team members often enjoy a balance between individual responsibility and collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that everyone has a voice in shaping the projects they work on.

When discussing your experience with Node.js, focus on specific projects where you've implemented it to solve complex challenges. Highlight your understanding of its asynchronous nature, scalability, and how you've optimized performance in large-scale applications. Be prepared to discuss the architecture choices you made and any lessons learned.

In your response, outline your systematic approach to system design. Discuss how you analyze requirements, identify bottlenecks, and design for scalability and reliability. Mention tools or methodologies you utilize, such as UML diagrams or architectural patterns, and provide an example to illustrate your process.

Share your experiences with AWS challenges, such as cost management or service limits. Provide specific examples of how you navigated those challenges by implementing practices such as auto-scaling, monitoring with CloudWatch, or optimizing resource utilization to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

In your answer, discuss your experience with Kubernetes, emphasizing your understanding of container orchestration. Highlight specific instances where you've deployed applications using Kubernetes, managed scaling, and automated rollouts. Be prepared to talk about how these experiences have strengthened your skills in microservices architecture.

Discuss your commitment to code quality by mentioning practices like code reviews, unit testing, and documentation. You may also talk about tools you've used for linting, continuous integration, or static analysis. Provide examples of how these practices have benefited project outcomes and enhanced team collaboration.

Prepare to share a specific incident where you played a crucial role in troubleshooting. Explain the steps you took to identify the root cause, how you communicated with your team during the process, and the outcome after implementing the fix. This will highlight your troubleshooting skills and teamwork.

In your answer, explain how you simplify complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders. Share tools or metaphors you’ve used and emphasize the importance of clarity and transparency. Illustrate this with an example where effective communication led to better project outcomes.

Explain your method for prioritizing tasks under pressure, focusing on how you assess urgency and impact. Mention your techniques for managing multiple projects, such as using Agile methodologies or project management tools, and provide an example of a situation where prioritization was key to meeting a tight deadline.

In your response, highlight a project where you successfully collaborated with other teams, such as product, design, or marketing. Discuss your role, the communication strategies you employed, and how this collaboration contributed to the success of the project.

Reflect on your passion for solving complex problems and your desire to create efficient systems that drive business success. Discuss how working with innovative technologies fuels your enthusiasm and contribute to an inclusive, global workforce aligns with your personal and professional values.