Senior Backend Developer

A Senior Backend Developer at Migaku is responsible for developing and maintaining features across various products such as the website, mobile apps, browser extension, and web applications. This role also entails managing a Firebase-based account system integrated with Stripe for transactions, collaborating on integration tasks, triaging user issues, and maintaining high-quality code through thorough testing and code reviews.

To qualify for the Senior Backend Developer role at Migaku, candidates should possess over 5 years of software development experience, strong skills in Kotlin, JavaScript, and Python, and a solid understanding of Google Cloud technologies. Additionally, experience with Firebase systems and proficiency in Linux are essential, along with a passion for language learning that aligns with Migaku's mission.

Mentorship is a significant aspect of the Senior Backend Developer role at Migaku. Senior developers are expected to guide and support junior engineers, sharing their expertise to foster a collaborative and educational work environment. This helps maintain high coding standards and promotes professional growth within the team.

At Migaku, a Senior Backend Developer works primarily with Kotlin, JavaScript, and Python. Familiarity with Google Cloud, Firebase account systems, and hosting solutions like Cloudflare is beneficial. A knowledge base in Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) is also advantageous for this role, enabling developers to create robust cross-platform solutions.

Migaku promotes a work culture that values innovation, teamwork, and passion for language learning. As a Senior Backend Developer, you'll experience a supportive, remote work environment where quick delivery and adaptability are encouraged, all while working with a team that shares a strong commitment to helping users achieve language fluency.

When faced with critical backend issues, I prioritize understanding the problem's root cause by analyzing logs and user feedback. I implement a systematic approach to troubleshoot and resolve the issue effectively while communicating transparently with team members and stakeholders. Having a proactive mindset helps in minimizing downtime and ensuring a swift resolution.

My experience with Google Cloud includes utilizing its various services such as Cloud Functions, Firestore, and App Engine to create scalable applications. I appreciate Google Cloud's robust performance and security features, and I often leverage its automation tools to streamline deployment processes, ensuring that our backend systems are efficient and reliable.

To maintain high-quality code, I use a mix of unit testing and end-to-end testing strategies. I believe in writing tests concurrently with my code and utilizing frameworks like JUnit or Mocha for comprehensive test coverage. I also prioritize code reviews, as they promote collaboration and catch potential issues early.

I approach collaboration on integration work by fostering open communication with team members. I believe in discussing integration goals at the outset and ensuring everyone is aligned on requirements. Using collaborative tools and version control systems facilitates smoother integration and minimizes conflicts.

In my previous roles, I've structured regular mentorship sessions focusing on specific skills or tasks that junior engineers find challenging. I encourage them to take on projects gradually and provide constructive feedback on their work. This hands-on approach along with code review sessions promotes confidence and skill development.

A major challenge I faced was optimizing a slow-performing backend service. I tackled it by profiling the application to identify bottlenecks, refactoring the code for efficiency, and implementing caching strategies. This not only improved performance significantly but also enhanced my understanding of backend optimizations.

The most rewarding aspect is contributing to a mission that genuinely helps people achieve language fluency. Seeing the direct impact of my work on users’ learning journeys fuels my passion for software development and reinforces my commitment to delivering high-quality solutions.

I stay updated on backend development trends by engaging with online communities, participating in webinars, and following industry leaders on platforms like GitHub and Twitter. Additionally, I pursue continuous learning through online courses to deepen my understanding of new tools and methodologies.

To meet deadlines effectively, I prioritize my tasks and break projects down into manageable milestones. I employ tools like Agile methodologies to keep track of progress and adapt quickly to any changes. Regular check-ins with the team help me align on expectations and stay accountable.

I have extensive experience using Firebase for building user authentication systems and real-time databases. In my projects, I've leveraged Firebase Authentication to simplify user management and Firebase Cloud Functions to handle backend processes. This integration has optimized both development time and system scalability.