Senior Software Engineer - Backend

As a Senior Software Engineer - Backend at Forward Networks, your main responsibilities include developing and maintaining our product core, building efficient pipelines to ingest and analyze data from network devices, and creating models that represent network behavior. Additionally, you’ll work on scaling our systems for performance and efficiency while developing new features that leverage our unique network models to efficiently respond to user queries.

The Senior Software Engineer - Backend role at Forward Networks requires a BS in Computer Science or a related field, with an MS preferred. You should also have strong object-oriented design and development skills, at least three years of full lifecycle software development experience, and proficiency in backend languages like Java or C++. Experience working on large-scale distributed systems and familiarity with REST APIs and frameworks like Spring or Hibernate are beneficial.

No, prior experience in the networking domain is not a requirement for the Senior Software Engineer - Backend position at Forward Networks. However, having knowledge or experience in networking can be a plus, as it may enhance your engagement with the product you’ll be developing. What’s more important is your capability in backend development and system design.

Working at Forward Networks as a Senior Software Engineer - Backend provides tremendous opportunities for career growth. With our commitment to innovation and excellence, you'll find yourself working on leading-edge technology in a supportive and collaborative environment. We encourage continuous learning and development, which means you'll have access to resources and projects that will expand your skills and professional network significantly.

The base pay range for the Senior Software Engineer - Backend position at Forward Networks is between $155,000 and $190,000. The exact salary will depend on factors such as your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. This competitive pay reflects our valuation of talent and the importance of your role in our innovative projects.

When answering this question, be specific about your projects and roles. Highlight key outcomes and technologies used. For example, discuss the architectures you’ve built with these languages and how you addressed challenges concerning performance and scalability.

Demonstrate your analytical skills by discussing specific algorithms you have optimized in the past. Consider detailing how you identify bottlenecks and the techniques you apply to improve efficiency, whether through code refactoring, algorithm adjustments, or adopting new technologies.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to outline your approach. Discuss the problem, the actions you took to devise a solution, and the positive outcomes, emphasizing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Talk about your structured approach to debugging, including tools you use (e.g., log analyzers, profilers) and how you systematically isolate problems. Share experiences with complex bugs you've resolved, showcasing your persistence and analytical thinking.

Discuss your methods of staying updated, whether through online courses, communities, or industry conferences. Highlight specific technologies or trends you've learned about and how you integrate this knowledge into your work.

Share details about a feature you created, including the motivation behind it, your development process, and the measurable impact it had on the application or user experience. This demonstrates your ability to innovate and create value.

Discuss your experience integrating REST APIs, focusing on specific challenges and how you overcame them. Highlight any authentication techniques, data handling, or testing tools you used, demonstrating your thorough understanding of API interactions.

Explain your philosophy around writing clean code, including principles like readability, maintainability, and the importance of code reviews. Provide examples from previous experiences where clean code practices have led to successful project outcomes.

Share specific database technologies you have worked with and how they integrate with your backend development. Discuss challenges with data management, schema design, or performance optimization you’ve encountered and how you resolved them.

Talk about the tools and methodologies you use for task prioritization and deadlines, such as Agile or Scrum techniques. Illustrate how you communicate with your team during the development process to ensure timely delivery of projects.