Let’s get started
By clicking ‘Next’, I agree to the Terms of Service
and Privacy Policy
Jobs / Job page
Software Engineer - Backend image - Rise Careers
Job details

Software Engineer - Backend

Job Description:

Rakuten International oversees 7 businesses with over 4,000 employees globally. The brand is recognized for its leadership and innovation in e-commerce, digital content, advertising, entertainment and communications, bringing the joy of discovery and access to more than 1 billion members across the world. Our teams deliver on the company’s mission to delight merchants and customers through innovation, optimism, and teamwork.

Rakuten Rewards is a leading e-commerce company that enhances the way people shop by offering Cash Back, deals and rewards from more than 3,500 merchants. Founded in 1999, Rakuten has grown to become the go-to shopping destination for consumers, having paid out nearly $2 billion in Cash Back to its 15 million members. The company also operates ShopStyle, a leading fashion discovery destination, and Cartera Commerce, a top rewards platform for airlines and banks. For more information, visit www.rakuten.com.

Job Summary:

We are looking for a skilled Backend Software Engineer with expertise in java, graph databases (e.g., TigerGraph, Neo4j), Snowflake, and event-driven architectures to build scalable APIs and real-time decisioning systems. You will be responsible for designing and developing high-performance data services, integrating multiple data sources, and implementing real-time processing pipelines using even-driven technologies.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Develop and Maintain: Build and maintain server-side logic, including database interactions, server-side applications, and data storage solutions.
  • Write High-Quality Code: Deliver clean, maintainable, and efficient code while adhering to company coding standards and best practices.
  • Collaborate: Work closely with senior engineers, front-end developers, and product managers to understand requirements and deliver robust backend solutions.
  • Participate in Code Reviews: Provide constructive feedback to peers and learn from senior team members to continuously improve code quality and team collaboration.
  • Optimize for Performance: Ensure applications are optimized for performance and scalability to handle growing user demands effectively.
  • Stay Ahead: Keep up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies, contributing fresh ideas and insights to team discussions.

Qualifications:

  • Experience with additional programming languages such as Python or Golang.
  • Familiarity with a Frontend JavaScript Framework, like React, Vue.js, or Angular.
  • Exposure to automated CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions).
  • Solid understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP) design principles.
  • Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, or Azure) and familiarity with services like EC2, S3, Lambda, API Gateway, Apache Kafka, and S3
  • Experience with database technologies and a strong understanding of database schema design
  • Experience with event driven architectures
  • Basic troubleshooting experience with observability tools like Datadog or similar.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Minimum Requirements:

  • B.S. in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
  • 2+ years of production-level application development experience using Java/J2EE, ideally with frameworks like Quarkus or Spring.
  • 1+ years of production-level application development experience using Node.js.
  • Familiarity with service-oriented architecture concepts, principles, and patterns.
  • Experience designing, building, and maintaining RESTful APIs or working with event-driven queues.

Five Principles for Success
Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviors that make Rakuten unique and united across the world. We expect Rakuten employees to model these 5 Shugi Principles of Success.

Always improve, Always Advance - Only be satisfied with complete success - Kaizen
Passionately Professional - Take an uncompromising approach to your work and be determined to be the best
Hypothesize - Practice - Validate – Shikumika - Use the Rakuten Cycle to succeed in unknown territory
Maximize Customer Satisfaction - The greatest satisfaction for our teams is seeing their customers smile
Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! - Always be conscious of time - take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team

Rakuten provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Rakuten considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial or local laws.

At the time of posting, Rakuten expects the base compensation for this role to be within the range shown below. Individual compensation will vary based on job-related factors, including the skills, qualifications, and experience of the successful candidate as well as business need and geographic location. The successful applicant for this role will be eligible for discretionary bonus, health, vision, dental insurance, 401k matching, PTO, Volunteer Time Off (VTO), and other employee benefits as the company implements.

USD $96,442.50 - $163,680.00 annually

Average salary estimate

$130061 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$96442K
$163680K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Software Engineer - Backend, Rakuten

Join Rakuten International as a Backend Software Engineer in San Mateo, California, where you'll become a crucial part of a vibrant, innovative team that is redefining e-commerce. At Rakuten, we take pride in offering our customers unparalleled shopping experiences and rewards from thousands of merchants around the globe. As a Backend Software Engineer, you'll have the exciting responsibility of designing and developing scalable APIs and real-time decision-making systems that elevate user engagement. Your expertise in Java and familiarity with graph databases will enable you to craft high-performance data services and integrate diverse data sources effectively. Collaborating with talented senior engineers and product managers, you’ll participate in creative discussions and code reviews to help deliver robust backend solutions. Embrace this fantastic opportunity to advance your technical skills while optimizing application performance in a fast-paced environment. You'll not only write clean, maintainable code adhering to top coding standards but also stay ahead by learning about emerging technologies. At Rakuten, we value continuous improvement, and you’ll be expected to embody our principles, ensuring customer satisfaction at every turn. If you're ready to innovate and make a difference while enjoying a range of employee benefits, including a competitive salary and discretionary bonuses, we want to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Software Engineer - Backend Role at Rakuten
What are the key responsibilities of a Software Engineer - Backend at Rakuten?

As a Software Engineer - Backend at Rakuten, your primary responsibilities include developing and maintaining server-side logic, writing high-quality clean code, and collaborating with frontend developers and product managers to deliver exceptional backend solutions. You'll also participate in code reviews and stay updated with industry trends, ensuring that the applications you work on are optimized for performance and scalability.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What qualifications are essential for a Software Engineer - Backend position at Rakuten?

To qualify as a Software Engineer - Backend at Rakuten, candidates should hold a B.S. in Computer Science or a related field and have a minimum of 2 years of production-level application development experience using Java/J2EE. Familiarity with Node.js and service-oriented architecture principles, along with experience in developing RESTful APIs, is crucial for success in this role.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What programming languages and technologies should a Software Engineer - Backend at Rakuten be familiar with?

A Software Engineer - Backend at Rakuten should have strong expertise in Java and experience with graph databases like TigerGraph or Neo4j. Additionally, familiarity with Python, Golang, cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure), CI/CD pipelines, and event-driven architectures is highly beneficial in contributing effectively to the projects.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How does Rakuten support the professional development of its Software Engineer - Backend employees?

Rakuten encourages continuous learning and professional development for its Software Engineer - Backend employees by promoting regular team discussions on emerging technologies, facilitating code reviews for collaborative improvement, and providing access to training resources, all aimed at helping employees expand their skill sets and stay ahead in their careers.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What opportunities for career advancement exist for a Software Engineer - Backend at Rakuten?

At Rakuten, Software Engineers - Backend have numerous opportunities for career advancement, including transitioning to senior engineering roles, participating in leadership programs, and getting involved in innovative projects. The company's commitment to professional growth and performance optimization supports employees in reaching their full potential.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Common Interview Questions for Software Engineer - Backend
Can you explain your experience with Java and how it applies to backend development?

When answering this question, detail your hands-on experience with Java in production environments, mentioning specific frameworks like Spring or Quarkus, and showcase projects where you've developed scalable RESTful APIs. Highlight particular challenges you faced and how you overcame them, demonstrating both technical knowledge and problem-solving skills.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you ensure performance and scalability in your applications?

To answer this, discuss specific strategies you've employed in your previous roles, such as optimizing database queries, utilizing caching mechanisms, or implementing load balancing. Providing examples will illustrate your thought process and ability to design applications that can handle high traffic efficiently.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What are event-driven architectures, and how have you applied them in your work?

Define event-driven architectures and explain their role in modern backend systems, particularly focusing on how you've implemented them in past projects. Share any specific technologies you've used, like Apache Kafka, and explain how these architectures have enhanced application responsiveness and scalability.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Describe a successful project where you collaborated with a cross-functional team.

Highlight a specific project where you collaborated with product managers, frontend developers, and other engineers. Emphasize your role, the communication strategies you used, and how this collaboration led to successful outcomes, showcasing your teamwork and interpersonal skills.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you stay current with emerging technologies in software development?

Discuss your proactive approach to staying updated with industry trends, such as following relevant tech blogs, participating in online communities, and attending workshops or webinars. Mention how this continuous learning has positively impacted your work and coding practices.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What coding standards do you follow when writing backend applications?

Addressing this question, talk about the importance of coding standards in maintaining code quality. Reference specific practices like writing clean, maintainable code, adhering to documentation standards, and using version control systems. Explain how you apply these standards in your daily work.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Can you provide an example of a problem you solved using data services?

Describe a situation where you utilized data services to resolve a complex issue in a project. Detail the technologies used, the problem at hand, and the steps you took to develop and implement a solution. This will demonstrate your practical expertise in handling real-world challenges.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you approach testing and debugging in your applications?

Explain your methodology for testing and debugging, including automated testing, unit tests, and using debugging tools. Illustrate your process with concrete examples of how you identified and resolved issues effectively while maintaining code quality.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What role does communication play in your software development process?

Reflect on the importance of communication in software development, especially when working with teams. Describe how effective communication has helped you in project coordination, resolving misunderstandings, and ensuring alignment with project goals.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What motivates you to excel as a Software Engineer - Backend?

Share your passion for technology and problem-solving. Discuss what excites you about backend development and how achieving measurable outcomes, such as enhanced user experiences or optimized systems, drives you to continually improve and innovate in your field.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Similar Jobs
Photo of the Rise User

Join SMART Technologies as a Senior Software Engineer where you'll create cutting-edge educational software using your C++ skills.

Posted 3 days ago

Join Pinch as a Senior Front-End Developer to lead the development of elegant and intuitive user-facing web experiences.

Photo of the Rise User

RippleMatch is looking for an Entry Level Software Engineer to kickstart their career in tech with leading employers.

Photo of the Rise User

Join MSquared as a Graduate Software Engineer to work on cutting-edge technology in the metaverse space.

Photo of the Rise User
SoFi Hybrid San Francisco, California, United States
Posted 6 days ago

Join SoFi as a Staff Full-Stack Engineer to lead innovative projects in member engagement with a hybrid work model.

Photo of the Rise User
PDDN INC. Hybrid TX-45, Austin, TX, USA
Posted 3 days ago

Join our dynamic team in Austin, TX as a Software Engineer, focusing on Windows Thin Client systems and automation.

Photo of the Rise User
Posted 5 days ago

Capgemini invites experienced Java Full Stack Developers to join their dynamic team and contribute to sustainable technological transformations.

Photo of the Rise User
Visa Remote Reading, United Kingdom
Posted 7 days ago

Join Visa as a Lead Systems Architect to play a crucial role in the evolution of the Open VisaNet payment processing platform.

In Japanese, Rakuten stands for “optimism.” It means we are hopeful for the future and believe we can make tomorrow better by what we do today. So we challenge ourselves to evolve, innovate and experiment to create a more rewarding, happier futu...

28 jobs
MATCH
Calculating your matching score...
CULTURE VALUES
Inclusive & Diverse
Rise from Within
Mission Driven
Diversity of Opinions
Work/Life Harmony
SENIORITY LEVEL REQUIREMENT
TEAM SIZE
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
April 6, 2025

Subscribe to Rise newsletter

Risa star 🔮 Hi, I'm Risa! Your AI
Career Copilot
Want to see a list of jobs tailored to
you, just ask me below!
LATEST ACTIVITY
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Cincinnati just viewed Executive Assistant, Tax at Netflix
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Cincinnati just viewed Product Marketing Manager at Cast & Crew
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Cincinnati just viewed Marketing Manager at Cast & Crew
o
Someone from OH, Cincinnati just viewed Administrative Assistant at osu
A
Someone from OH, Cincinnati just viewed Data Entry Clerk at Alphabe Insight Inc
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Cincinnati just viewed Machine Learning Engineer at Allstate
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Twinsburg just viewed Data Analyst/Power BI Developer at Datadog
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Cuyahoga Falls just viewed Small Fleet Underwriter at HDVI
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Dublin just viewed Product Designer, Entry Level at Govini
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Columbus just viewed Support Associate-7 at Tory Burch
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Columbus just viewed Project Manager at Treering
Photo of the Rise User
Someone from OH, Columbus just viewed Product Manager, Assessment Student Experience at Ellevation