Back-end Developer – Proactive Hiring

Air Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Canada is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Backend Developer to design, build, and maintain scalable, secure backend systems that power our airline platforms. You will integrate with legacy and modern enterprise systems using AWS, Node.js, and Kafka, ensuring low-latency, highly available services.

The role emphasizes API design, data security, and collaboration with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced IT environment, contributing to our digital transformation and future-ready

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in backend software development.
• Strong experience in Java or Node.js development.
• Hands-on experience with AWS services (Lambda, EC2, S3, RDS, DynamoDB, API Gateway).
• Experience designing and implementing microservices architectures.
• Proficiency with containerization tools (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with asynchronous messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ).
• Experience with observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK).
• Strong understanding of TDD, unit/integration testing.
• Proficiency with Git and relational/NoSQL databases.
• Knowledge of API formats (XML/JSON) and REST/SOAP.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain robust backend services and APIs.
• Integrate with legacy and modern platforms using AWS, Node.js and Kafka.
• Ensure performance, reliability, and security of backend systems.
• Write unit, integration, and performance tests; automate repetitive tasks.
• Collaborate with product, DevOps, and QA to align goals and timelines.
• Implement observability (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK) and deployment early in projects.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills

Java

Node.js

AWS

Microservices

Docker

Kubernetes

APIs

OpenAPI

Messaging

Testing

Git

SQL/NoSQL

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS

Tools

Kafka

Prometheus

Grafana

ELK Stack

Mulesoft

Job description

Being part of Air Canada is to become part of an iconic Canadian symbol, recently ranked the best Airline in North America. Let your career take flight by joining our diverse and vibrant team at the leading edge of passenger aviation.
We’re seeking a creative and detail-oriented Back-end developer to play a critical role in ensuring our systems operate seamlessly behind the scenes by designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable, and secure backend systems. The successful candidate will play a key role integrating applications with required systems, including legacy architectures, and provide clean, well-documented APIs for the frontend. This role will be responsible for the application’s performance, reliability, and scalability. Proactive and collaborative, Back-end developers optimize databases, implement best practices, and ensure data security, all while staying ahead of emerging technologies to deliver innovative, future-ready solutions.
These are exciting times for IT at Air Canada, with many major projects underway that will transform the IT landscape. Air Canada is also massively investing in new technologies that will facilitate its digital transformation. This is a unique opportunity to learn state of the art technologies at an industry leader, as well as to contribute to the creation of the Air Canada of tomorrow.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement robust, scalable, and secure backend services and middleware components that power business logic, ensuring alignment with architectural best practices and business requirements.
• Develop and maintain functional, high-performing, and well-documented APIs that enable seamless integration between front-end and back-end systems.
• Integrate with legacy and modern enterprise platforms using AWS-native services, Node.js, and Apache Kafka.
• Support QA and end user testing, analyze defects reported and apply design and code fixes to resolve the issues.
• Optimize backend performance through efficient data access patterns, query tuning, and caching strategies to ensure low-latency, high-availability systems.
• Implement containerization (e.g., Docker) and orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes) to support scalable deployment and environment consistency.
• Manage asynchronous messaging systems and event-streaming platforms (e.g., Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ) to enable reliable, decoupled communication between services.
• Write comprehensive unit, integration, and performance tests to ensure code reliability and maintainability, while developing automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks.
• Ensure data security and compliance by implementing robust authentication, authorization, and encryption mechanisms, and adhering to relevant regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product Managers, DevOps, QA) to align goals, timelines, and deliverables, ensuring backend systems support the overall product vision.
• Participate in system architecture and design discussions, contributing insights on scalability, fault tolerance, and system reliability.
• Implement and maintain observability tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack) to monitor system health, performance, and troubleshoot issues proactively.
• Manage backend processes, workflows, and APIs to support knowledge sharing, maintainability, and onboarding.
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, refactoring, and documentation, while promoting responsible adoption across the team.
• Actively participate in Agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of team practices, delivery pipelines, and communication strategies by proposing innovative solutions and sharing technical insights.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in backend software development.
• Strong experience in Java or Node.js development.
• Hands-on experience with AWS services (Ex: Lambda, EC2, S3, RDS, DynamoDB, API Gateway, AppSync).
• Proven experience integrating with mission-critical APIs and cloud-native platforms.
• Experience designing and implementing microservices architectures.
• Proficiency with containerization tools (Docker) and orchestration platforms (Kubernetes).
• Familiarity with asynchronous messaging systems and event-streaming platforms (Ex: Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ).
• Experience with observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack).
• Strong understanding of TDD (Test Driven Development), unit testing, mocking, and integration testing.
• Proficiency with version control systems (e.g., Git).
• Knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases.
• Understanding of API formats (XML, JSON), protocols (REST, SOAP), and specifications (OpenAPI, Swagger).
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and a systematic, disciplined approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work autonomously and proactively.
• Demonstrate punctuality and dependability to support overall team success in a fast-paced environment.

Assets

• Experience with Mulesoft or other Java-based ESBs (IBM IIB, Tibco).
• Familiarity with API management tools (Apigee, IBM API Connect, Mulesoft API Manager).
• Exposure to CI/CD toolchains and DevOps practices.
• Experience in the airline or travel industry.
• Interest in learning new technologies and contributing to digital transformation initiatives.

Conditions Of Employment

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest at the time any offer of employment is made and are responsible for obtaining any required work permits, visas, or other authorizations necessary for employment. Prior to their start date, candidates will also need to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the country of interest.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.