Senior Back End Engineer

Socket.dev; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in Canada is seeking a senior backend engineer to design and implement scalable services using Node.js and TypeScript. You will own backend systems, collaborate across teams, and influence architectural decisions from microservices to data pipelines.

The role emphasizes mentoring, reliability, and performance, with a focus on cloud-native delivery, API gateways, and robust testing practices in an Agile/DevOps environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of backend development experience with Node.js and TypeScript.
• Experience designing, developing, and deploying microservices architectures.
• Experience with event-driven systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ, Pulsar).
• Strong API design skills including REST and GraphQL; security and documentation best practices.
• Proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and infrastructure as code.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop backend solutions using Node.js and TypeScript.
• Design and implement microservices-based architecture with service discovery and API gateways.
• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs and GraphQL interfaces for frontend and third-party integrations.
• Ensure code quality through reviews, testing, and best practices.
• Mentor junior engineers and collaborate across frontend, DevOps, and other teams.
• Optimize system performance and scalability of backend services.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver end-to-end solutions.

Skills

Node.js & TypeScript backend

Microservices design

Event-driven systems

RESTful APIs & GraphQL

Cloud platforms

CI/CD

Testing

Agile & DevOps

Mentoring/leadership

Tools

Kafka

Docker

Kubernetes

Istio

Terraform

Job description

Role Overview

You will be working in a cross-functional team, using agile methodologies to build cloud-native applications for the Auto industry. We are looking for true team-players who can work beyond their specialty to help the team deliver. The ideal candidate will be a team player who is adaptable and willing to contribute to various aspects of the project, from backend development to deployment automation.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and Develop Backend Solutions: Lead the design, development, and deployment of robust, scalable backend services using Node.js and TypeScript.
• Microservices and Event-Driven Architecture: Design and implement microservices-based architecture, leveraging Kafka or similar event-streaming platforms to ensure efficient and reliable data processing.
• API Development: Develop and maintain RESTful APIs and other service interfaces to support frontend applications and third-party integrations.
• Code Quality and Best Practices: Ensure the highest standards of code quality through code reviews, testing, and adherence to best practices in software development.
• Mentorship and Collaboration: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the team.
• System Performance and Scalability: Optimize existing systems for performance and scalability, ensuring the backend infrastructure can handle growing demand.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with frontend developers, DevOps engineers, and other stakeholders to deliver complete, end-to-end solutions.

Node.js and TypeScript

• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in backend development using Node.js and TypeScript. Deep understanding of asynchronous programming, closures, and ES6+ features.

Microservices Architecture

• Proven track record of designing, developing, and deploying microservices architectures. Experience with service discovery, load balancing, API gateways, and inter‑service communication patterns.

Event-Driven Systems

• Expertise in building and maintaining event‑driven systems using Kafka or similar platforms (e.g., RabbitMQ, Apache Pulsar). Understanding of event sourcing, CQRS, and message partitioning.

API Development

• Strong experience in designing, building, and consuming RESTful APIs, as well as experience with GraphQL. Knowledge of API security, versioning, and documentation best practices.

Database Proficiency

• SQL Databases: Extensive experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MS SQL Server. Knowledge of database normalization, indexing strategies, and performance tuning.
• NoSQL Databases: Experience with NoSQL databases like MongoDB, Cassandra, or DynamoDB. Understanding of data modeling in a NoSQL context, including schema design and denormalization techniques.
• Caching Mechanisms: Experience with caching strategies and tools such as Redis, Memcached, or similar, to optimize data retrieval and improve application performance.

Cloud Platforms and Infrastructure

• Cloud Services: Hands‑on experience with cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform. Proficiency with services like AWS Lambda, S3, EC2, RDS, and API Gateway.
• Containerization: Strong knowledge of Docker and Kubernetes for container orchestration, including experience with Helm charts, service mesh (e.g., Istio), and automated deployments.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, or Ansible for managing infrastructure in a version‑controlled, repeatable manner.
• CI/CD Pipelines: Expertise in setting up and maintaining continuous integration and continuous deployment pipelines using tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, CircleCI, or Azure DevOps. Familiarity with blue/green deployments, canary releases, and rollback strategies.
• Security Best Practices: In‑depth knowledge of backend security practices, including authentication, authorization, encryption (both at rest and in transit), and secure coding practices (e.g., OWASP Top Ten). Experience with OAuth2, OpenID Connect, JWT, and similar security frameworks.

Testing and Quality Assurance

• Unit and Integration Testing: Experience with testing frameworks like Mocha, Chai, Jest, or similar. Ability to write thorough and maintainable test cases that cover both unit and integration scenarios.
• Performance Testing: Familiarity with performance testing tools (e.g., Apache JMeter, Locust) to ensure that applications meet performance and scalability requirements.
• Monitoring and Logging: Proficiency with monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana), or similar. Experience setting up alerts, dashboards, and log aggregation for proactive monitoring and troubleshooting.

Agile and DevOps Mindset

• Strong advocate for Agile methodologies, including Scrum or Kanban, with a deep understanding of how DevOps practices can enhance continuous delivery and collaboration.

Soft Skills

• Excellent problem‑solving abilities, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast‑paced environment. Capable of mentoring junior developers and providing technical leadership within the team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with TypeScript: Strong understanding of TypeScript and its application in large‑scale backend systems.
• Knowledge of Frontend Frameworks: While primarily focused on backend, familiarity with frontend frameworks (React, Vue.js) is a plus.
• Testing Frameworks: Experience with testing frameworks such as Mocha, Chai, Jest, or similar tools.
• Experience in Automotive or Related Industries: Prior experience working in the automotive or related industries is a plus, but not required.