Backend Engineer (Europe)

As a Backend Engineer at Kalepa, you will be expected to design, develop, and maintain scalable backend systems aimed at solving complex problems in the commercial insurance industry. Your work will involve creating data-driven microservices, working with relational databases like PostgreSQL, and utilizing AWS for a serverless approach. Additionally, you'll collaborate with cross-functional teams on data pipelines and machine learning models.

To be considered for the Backend Engineer position at Kalepa, candidates should have a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or a related field, along with a minimum of 3+ years of relevant software engineering experience. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python (or other OO languages like Java, C++, or C#) and experience with AWS services and relational databases are also key qualifications.

Kalepa offers a competitive salary range for the Backend Engineer position, typically between $72,000 to $102,000, depending on experience. Additionally, you can expect an equity package ranging from 0.01% to 0.03%, providing further incentive for your contributions to the company's growth.

At Kalepa, our Backend Engineers use a variety of modern technologies and tools, including Python3, AWS services (such as EC2 and Lambda), and relational databases, predominantly PostgreSQL. Familiarity with Docker, Git, Flask, NumPy, and Pandas is also beneficial as we focus on creating robust and scalable systems.

Kalepa fosters a vibrant and dynamic work culture built on transparency, meritocracy, and a focus on customer problems. As a Backend Engineer, you’ll work in an environment that encourages experimentation and values your contributions. We also host global team offsites and regional meetups, promoting strong team connections despite remote work.

When answering this question, highlight your proficiency in Python and specific projects or systems you've developed using it. Focus on aspects such as problem-solving techniques, design patterns you've employed, and any frameworks or libraries (like Flask) you've used in your backend work.

Share a specific example of a challenge you encountered, detailing the context and your thought process. Discuss the strategies you implemented to resolve the issue, emphasizing your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. This allows you to demonstrate your ability to tackle complex problems effectively.

When addressing this question, talk about your practices for writing clean, maintainable code. Mention the use of version control systems like Git, code reviews, unit testing, and documentation as essential practices that you adhere to, showcasing your commitment to quality software development standards.

Explain your familiarity with AWS services, detailing specific technologies you've utilized (EC2, Lambda, etc.) and the impact they had on your projects. It can be helpful to reference any serverless architectures you’ve implemented, emphasizing efficiency and scalability that these solutions provided.

Share your systematic approach to debugging, which may involve tracking down specific errors in code, utilizing logs, and leveraging tools like debuggers or performance monitoring services. Providing examples of issues you've resolved will further illustrate your analytical skills.

Discuss the principles of RESTful design, the importance of stateless interactions, and how you have implemented APIs in your projects. Highlight any specific APIs you’ve developed, consumed, or maintained, and the feedback or benefits derived from your implementations.

Mention popular tools like Git and how you use them for managing your codebase. Discuss processes such as branching, merging, and pull requests that you've found beneficial in ensuring an efficient and organized workflow, particularly in team environments.

Explain your communication strategies and tools used, such as Slack, Zoom, or project management software. Emphasize your experience in using collaborative coding tools and how you maintain strong relationships with your team while working remotely.

Choose a project that showcases your skills and contributions. Describe your role in the project, the problem it addressed, and the outcomes achieved. Metrics illustrating improvements or efficiencies gained would strengthen your response.

Discuss your techniques for keeping your skills sharp, such as online courses, attending webinars, reading technical blogs or publications, and networking with professionals. This shows your commitment to professional growth and staying relevant in the fast-paced tech industry.