Staff Software Engineer - Backend (Remote)

As a Staff Software Engineer - Backend at Empower, you will be responsible for identifying strategic technical needs, leading complex product initiatives, optimizing engineering processes, and mentoring other engineers. You will play a key role in designing, building, and deploying server application code while ensuring adherence to secure coding standards.

To qualify for the Staff Software Engineer - Backend position at Empower, candidates should ideally have 10 to 15 years of experience in developing web APIs using .NET (C#), along with working experience in ORMs like Entity Framework and RDBMS optimization. Familiarity with asynchronous programming models and knowledge of messaging queues and PaaS environments such as Azure is also important.

Mentoring is crucial for the Staff Software Engineer - Backend at Empower. This role involves guiding junior engineers and offering them technical insights, which not only uplifts the team’s capabilities but also fosters a growth-oriented culture. This helps maintain high-performance standards and ensures that knowledge is effectively passed on within the team.

Empower supports a healthy work culture through their values of inclusivity and collaboration. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will engage in spirited debates and innovative discussions, promoting diverse perspectives which drive the best solutions. The company also offers competitive salaries, flexible working conditions, and regular offsite events to enhance teamwork and connection.

Staff Software Engineers at Empower play a pivotal role in incident management by taking the lead in SEV1 and lower incident responses, ensuring that issues are addressed swiftly and effectively. Your involvement will be crucial in formulating solutions and directing resources to minimize downtime and enhance system reliability.

When identifying and resolving technical risks, I start by conducting a thorough analysis of the project requirements and potential problem areas. I engage in discussions with team members to gather diverse perspectives and use risk assessment tools to prioritize issues. This proactive approach allows me to create contingency plans and ensure smooth project execution.

My experience with .NET spans over a decade, where I have developed various web APIs using C#. I’m proficient in leveraging the .NET framework for building scalable server applications, implementing best practices in secure coding, and ensuring optimal performance by resolving common bottlenecks. This extensive knowledge directly contributes to reliable and efficient backend solutions.

I believe in a hands-on approach when mentoring junior engineers. I hold regular check-ins to discuss their progress and challenges, provide constructive feedback, and encourage them to take ownership of their learning. I also create opportunities for them to lead small projects, which builds their confidence and skill set.

One of my most successful projects involved leading a team to develop a high-availability web API for a financial client. My specific role was to oversee the architecture and design, ensuring we met performance requirements. I also coordinated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and quality, resulting in a timely delivery with positive client feedback.

To ensure code quality and maintainability, I advocate for code reviews, pair programming, and automated testing. I also follow coding standards and guidelines, which help maintain consistency across projects. Incorporating these practices not only enhances the reliability of the code but also fosters a culture of collaborative improvement.

During an incident where our service experienced downtime, I led the response by gathering the technical team to assess the situation. We implemented immediate fixes by identifying the root cause, communicated transparently with stakeholders, and documented the process for future reference. Following the incident, we conducted a retrospective to improve our response strategy.

Customer feedback is invaluable in our engineering processes. I incorporate it at multiple stages of development, using insights to inform design choices and prioritize features. Regular feedback loops allow us to identify pain points, leading our team to create solutions that are not only technically sound but also aligned with user needs.

I actively engage in the tech community by attending workshops, meetups, and webinars. I also dedicate time each week to read industry blogs and participate in online forums to stay informed about emerging technologies. This continuous learning approach helps me identify opportunities to leverage new tools that can enhance our organization's capabilities.

I faced a complex technical challenge when integrating an external payment service. The documentation was sparse, and we encountered multiple errors. I coordinated with the service provider to troubleshoot and implemented a phased testing strategy. This iterative approach allowed us to resolve issues methodically and successfully integrate the service.

Fostering an inclusive team environment is a priority for me. I encourage open communication, where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions. I actively seek feedback from everyone and ensure that diverse voices are heard in decision-making processes. This promotes innovation and strengthens team collaboration.