Sr Back-end Software Engineer - HTS (Capital One) - 100% remote

As a Sr Back-End Software Engineer at Capital One, you will design, build, and operate scalable APIs and full-stack solutions that enhance the travel experience for millions of users. Your daily responsibilities will include collaborating with engineers, designers, and product managers, conducting code reviews, ensuring high-quality codebases, and actively participating in design discussions to contribute to the product lifecycle.

To be successful as a Sr Back-End Software Engineer at Capital One, candidates should have a strong background in software development, particularly with Scala and distributed systems. A passion for high-quality software, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a remote environment are critical. Experience with GCP and a thoughtful approach to product development are also highly valued.

The work culture for a Sr Back-End Software Engineer at Capital One is dynamic and entrepreneurial. With emphasis on minimal meetings and strong asynchronous decision-making, engineers enjoy freedom and flexibility while contributing big ideas. There’s an open communication policy with management, a commitment to mentorship, and a focus on collaboration across small, agile teams.

In the role of Sr Back-End Software Engineer at Capital One, you'll work with a modern tech stack that includes Scala for backend services, GCP for orchestration using GKE (Google Kubernetes Engine), and React & TypeScript for frontend development. Additionally, familiarity with distributed system development will be beneficial as you build robust systems that can handle high scales.

Capital One offers a competitive salary package that includes perks like unlimited PTO, a travel stipend known as Carrot Cash, a work-from-home stipend, and extensive health benefits such as 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage. Employees also enjoy generous parental leave, access to retirement plans, and a supportive and encouraging work environment.

When designing a scalable API, consider user requirements and the anticipated load. Use RESTful principles or GraphQL based on functionality, ensure appropriate error handling, and think about versioning. Document the API thoroughly and use coding best practices to maintain quality.

Discuss your familiarity with Scala, focusing on projects you've completed using the language. Emphasize how Scala's concurrency features and functional programming paradigms help facilitate building robust back-end services and maintaining performance.

In code reviews, I focus on adherence to best practices, readability, and functionality. I often employ automated tools to check for code complexity, and I encourage an open dialogue to provide constructive feedback. This process ensures shared knowledge and maintains code quality.

I prioritize tasks based on the urgency and impact of features. Utilizing Agile methodologies allows for iterative improvements while keeping quality in check through unit testing and peer reviews. This approach ensures that we maintain high standards under pressure.

In my experience with distributed systems, challenges often include latency, consistency, and fault tolerance. I focus on designing systems that can recover from failures, employ strategies like eventual consistency, and leverage load balancers to manage calls to services effectively.

Collaboration is vital. I engage with team members regularly for brainstorming sessions and feedback loops which enhance our creative output and align our goals. Communicating effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders allows for better product outcomes.

To ensure user-centered solutions, I engage in user research, usability testing, and gather feedback from stakeholders throughout the development process. Understanding user needs deeply allows me to build features that truly enhance their experience.

In a recent project, employing Agile methodologies allowed us to implement user stories effectively and adjust quickly to evolving requirements. Regular sprints and reviews with adaptive planning led to successful feature launches, positively impacting user satisfaction.

I believe in fostering a nurturing environment by providing constructive feedback and encouraging questions. I pair program with junior engineers, helping them navigate through challenges while guiding them on best practices to enhance their skills confidently.

I am committed to continuous learning through online courses, webinars, and community participation. Engaging with professional networks and tech meetups helps me stay connected with industry trends which I can apply to my work.