Software Engineer II, Backend

Pinterest; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 139,378 - 189,378; Full time

Job summary

Pinterest is seeking a Backend Developer to build and scale backend features for its platform. This role involves collaborating with design and product teams, leveraging AI to improve workflows, and developing large-scale systems.

The ideal candidate has a degree in Computer Science and over 2 years of experience in backend development, proficient in using modern technologies. This role requires in-office presence for collaboration on limited occasions.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of backend development experience.
• Proficiency in common backend tech stacks.
• Experience building large-scale distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Build out the backend for Pinner-facing features.
• Lead product development from ideation to release.
• Design and operate large-scale distributed systems.

Skills

Backend development

RESTful APIs

Python

Collaboration

AI utilization

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science

Tools

AWS

Java

C++

Go

Job description

About Pinterest

Millions of people around the world come to our platform to find creative ideas, dream about new possibilities, and plan for memories that will last a lifetime. At Pinterest, we’re on a mission to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love, and that starts with the people behind the product.

Discover a career where you ignite innovation for millions, transform passion into growth opportunities, celebrate each other’s unique experiences, and embrace the flexibility to do your best work. Creating a career you love is possible. At Pinterest, AI isn’t just a feature; it’s a powerful partner that augments our creativity and amplifies our impact. We’re looking for candidates who are excited to be a part of that. To get a complete picture of your experience and abilities, we’ll explore your foundational skills and how you collaborate with AI.

Through our interview process, what matters most is that you can always explain your approach, showing us not just what you know, but how you think. We use AI in our recruiting process and have an AI interview philosophy that we encourage you to review.

What You’ll Do

• Build out the backend for Pinner-facing features to power the future of inspiration on Pinterest.
• Contribute to and lead each step of the product development process, from ideation through implementation and release; from rapidly prototyping and running A/B tests to architecting solutions that can scale to support millions of users.
• Partner with design, product, and backend teams to build end-to-end functionality.
• Put on your Pinner hat to suggest new product ideas and features.
• Employ automated testing to build features with a high degree of technical quality, taking responsibility for the components and features you develop.
• Grow as an engineer by working with world-class peers on varied, high‑impact projects.
• Design, develop, and operate large‑scale, distributed systems and networks.
• Work with Engineering customers to understand new requirements and address them in a scalable and efficient manner.
• Actively work to improve the developer process and experience in all phases from coding to operation.
• Leverage AI to accelerate execution—draft, prototype, outline—and explore alternative options—iterate, compare approaches.
• Leverage AI to synthesize information, summarize themes, and automate repeatable tasks such as documentation, reporting, and QA checks.

What We’re Looking For

• 2+ years of industry backend development experience, building consumer or business‑facing products.
• Proficiency in common backend tech stacks for RESTful APIs, online services, storage, caching, and data processing.
• Experience building and operating large‑scale distributed systems and/or networks. Bonus points if you enjoy deploying and operating large‑scale workloads on a public cloud footprint.
• Experience in Python, Java, C++, Go, or another language and a willingness to learn.
• Experience following best practices for writing reliable, maintainable code that may be used by many other engineers.
• Ability to keep up with new technologies and understand what should be incorporated.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to use AI to improve speed and quality in your day‑to‑day workflow for relevant outputs. Strong track record of critical evaluation and verification of AI‑assisted work, high integrity and ownership.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, or equivalent experience.

Relocation Statement

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance. Visit our PinFlex page to learn more about our working model.

In‑Office Requirement Statement

This role will need to be in the office for in‑person collaboration 1–2 times every 6 months and therefore can be situated anywhere in Ontario.

Canada‑based applicants only. Salary range: $139,378—$189,378 CAD.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Pinterest is an equal‑opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you require a medical or religious accommodation during the job application process, please complete this form for support.