Backend Software Engineer, Python - San Jose, CA

As a Backend Software Engineer at Experian in San Jose, CA, you will be responsible for building backend components and features for our MLOps platform, Ascend Ops. Your work will include collaborating with Product Owners to design capabilities, participating in code reviews, and ensuring that the components you create are cost-effective, maintainable, and observable. Additionally, you will take part in L3 on-call rotation to manage production incidents, making your role critical to the product's success.

To qualify for the Backend Software Engineer role at Experian, candidates must possess at least two years of professional backend application development experience with Python. Familiarity with web development frameworks such as Flask and FastAPI, concurrent programming designs like AsyncIO, and experience with unit and functional testing frameworks are essential. Knowledge of computer science fundamentals and experience with container platforms like AWS ECS or AWS EKS are also highly beneficial.

In the role of a Backend Software Engineer at Experian, you will primarily work with Python, utilizing web development frameworks such as Flask and FastAPI. You will also implement concurrent programming designs leveraging AsyncIO and ensure that your applications meet rigorous testing standards using unit and functional testing frameworks. Experience with container technologies like Docker and deployment platforms such as AWS ECS or AWS EKS will be pivotal in your daily tasks.

Absolutely! Experian promotes a flexible work environment for Backend Software Engineers. You can choose to work remotely, in a hybrid setup, or fully in-office at our San Jose location. This approach reflects our commitment to work-life balance and catering to the varied needs of our team members, ensuring that everyone can perform at their best while managing personal commitments.

Experian offers an outstanding benefits package for its Backend Software Engineers in San Jose, CA. This package includes competitive compensation, a 10% bonus plan, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, and matching 401K plans. Employees also enjoy 15 days of flexible time off, including time for volunteering, vacation days, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays. We emphasize wellness, development, and recognition, making it a rewarding place to work.

When answering this question, be specific about your projects and tasks. Highlight instances where you utilized Python for backend development, including libraries or frameworks you employed. Discuss how you implemented best practices and any challenges you faced, along with how you resolved them to deliver robust solutions.

MLOps combines machine learning and operations to automate the end-to-end machine learning lifecycle. In your answer, mention how you can contribute by developing backend components that facilitate model deployment, monitoring, and performance evaluations on the Ascend Ops platform, emphasizing your technical skills and collaborative approach.

To ensure maintainability and scalability, I adhere to coding best practices, write modular code, and implement thorough documentation. Emphasize your experience with code reviews and continuous integration and delivery processes, discussing how these practices contribute to the robustness and scalability of applications.

Discuss specific challenges you encountered, such as race conditions or deadlocks, and elaborate on the solutions you implemented, such as using AsyncIO in Python. This shows your understanding of concurrency and your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios.

Share a specific example that demonstrates your communication and collaboration skills. Describe the project, the tools you used for collaboration, and the outcomes. Highlight how you integrated feedback from team members in different locations to improve the product.

Discuss comprehensive testing strategies that you use, including unit, integration, and functional testing frameworks. Provide examples of how you have ensured code reliability and quality in your previous projects through systematic testing practices.

Explain your approach to incident response, including your experience with on-call rotations. Highlight your commitment to quickly diagnosing issues, communicating effectively with stakeholders, and implementing fixes or rollbacks as necessary to minimize downtime.

Talk about your comfort with specific frameworks like Flask and FastAPI. Mention how you have used them in past projects, detailing the features you have implemented and why you prefer these frameworks based on their performance and scalability.

Discuss your understanding of agile methodologies and your role within an agile team, whether it’s in backlogs, sprints, or stand-ups. Provide examples of how collaboration and user feedback shape your development practices, emphasizing your adaptability to changing requirements.

In your response, connect your skills and career goals to Experian's mission and values. Discuss your enthusiasm for working on innovative solutions in MLOps and how you align with their focus on DEI and employee recognition, making it genuine and reflective of your desire to contribute meaningfully.