Lead Backend Engineer

As the Lead Backend Engineer at Pocket Worlds, you will lead a small team in developing and managing our backend systems. Your responsibilities will include overseeing cloud infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and stability, and taking ownership of service orchestration. You'll also be involved in the documentation, support, deployment, observability, and CI/CD pipelines which are critical to our mission and product success.

To qualify for the Lead Backend Engineer role at Pocket Worlds, candidates should possess at least 10 years of experience in backend development and infrastructure management, with a minimum of 4 years in a senior role. Experience with Kubernetes, AWS, and programming in Python is a must. Proven success in managing large-scale infrastructure and leading teams is also essential to excel in this position.

The work environment at Pocket Worlds is fast-paced and fun, perfect for Lead Backend Engineers who thrive on challenges and innovation. You will have significant responsibility and ownership from Day One, collaborating closely with top talent in the industry. This dynamic atmosphere encourages learning, experimentation, and the opportunity to bring exciting ideas to life.

The current technical stack for the Lead Backend Engineer at Pocket Worlds includes Python, Go, Kubernetes, AWS, MongoDB, and various cloud-native tools. You will also have the opportunity to work with event-based architectures, microservices, and implement planned upgrades such as ML-driven recommendations as we continue to innovate and grow.

While the essential requirements focus on backend development and infrastructure management, having programming experience in Go, C#, or Lua may enhance a candidate's profile. Additional knowledge of the Unity Gaming Engine, orchestrating stateful applications, or contributions to open-source projects could also significantly benefit your application for the Lead Backend Engineer position at Pocket Worlds.

When discussing your experience with AWS and Kubernetes, focus on specific projects where you managed cloud infrastructure, ensuring performance and stability. Share details about the workflows you implemented, any challenges you faced, and how you overcame them while emphasizing your leadership role in those projects.

In your response, explain your approach to creating a supportive environment where team members can express challenges openly. Mention techniques for prioritizing tasks, effective communication strategies, and your philosophy of fostering collaboration among team members, which can be crucial in high-pressure situations.

The most important quality for a Lead Backend Engineer is the ability to adapt quickly to changing environments while maintaining a focus on building innovative solutions. Discuss how you prioritize learning and staying informed about new technologies, and your commitment to guiding your team through challenges to meet the company's goals.

Choose a specific project and walk through the goals, challenges encountered, and how you led your team to success. Emphasize your strategic decisions, technical skills, and collaboration with team members, showcasing your leadership style and problem-solving abilities.

To ensure quality and performance, describe your approach to testing and monitoring backend systems. Discuss techniques like implementing rigorous debugging processes, utilizing performance optimization tools, and continuously reviewing code, all while involving your team in maintaining high standards.

Share concrete examples of how you've set up CI/CD pipelines in previous roles, emphasizing the tools used and processes put in place. Discuss the benefits that these pipelines brought to your projects, such as increasing deployment frequency and improving team efficiency.

Discuss your philosophy on documentation, emphasizing its importance for team collaboration and on-boarding new team members. Provide examples of how you ensure that documentation is clear, concise, and regularly updated to reflect changes in systems or processes.

Explain techniques you use to foster an innovative culture within your team, such as hosting brainstorming sessions, encouraging experimentation, and providing opportunities for professional development. Highlight how you support team members in pursuing their ideas to enhance project outcomes.

Share strategies you utilize for conflict resolution, stressing the importance of open communication and understanding different perspectives. Provide a brief example of a conflict resolved successfully and how it ultimately strengthened the team's cohesion.

In your answer, focus on the aspects of innovation, rapid iteration, and the excitement of building new products from the ground up. Discuss how this environment inspires creativity and fuels your passion for development and leadership, creating a thrilling journey for you and your team.