Staff Backend Software Engineer

Cognichip; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognichip is seeking a Staff Backend Software Engineer to lead backend platform applications and services. You will architect critical backend solutions, including usage modeling, licensing for our AI products, and scalable services powering agentic workflows.

You will partner with cross-functional teams to drive innovation, build internal platforms, and enforce coding standards across systems. The role is a hybrid position with four days in the office and one remote day.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in software engineering with 5+ years in technical leadership.
• Proven track record scaling cloud-native SaaS platforms.
• Strong experience with distributed systems, microservices, databases, messaging queues, and caching.
• Proven ability to mentor engineers and lead cross-functional products.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Architect and build backend microservices in a cloud-native Kubernetes environment.
• Bridge backend services with UI requirements for full-stack capabilities.
• Implement automated CI/CD workflows for deployment and image lifecycles.
• Introduce observability, metrics, and alerting across multi-cluster environments.
• Collaborate with IDE, Agentic, Evaluations teams to unlock new product features.
• Develop internal platforms and tooling for R&D, product, and sales.
• Set technical strategy and maintain architectural consistency.
• Act as a technical authority for core systems.

Skills

Cloud-native SaaS

Distributed systems

Microservices

Leadership

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Databases

Messaging queues

Caching strategies

Job description

About Cognichip

At Cognichip, we are building AI-native tools that transform how semiconductor engineers create, verify, and optimize chips. Our platform combines large proprietary models, agentic workflows, domain-specific engineering intelligence, and high-performance simulation infrastructure to accelerate one of the world’s most complex engineering disciplines.

Job Title

Staff Backend Software Engineer

About Cognichip

At Cognichip, we are building AI-native tools that transform how semiconductor engineers create, verify, and optimize chips. Our platform combines large proprietary models, agentic workflows, domain-specific engineering intelligence, and high-performance simulation infrastructure to accelerate one of the world’s most complex engineering disciplines.

About The Role

We are seeking a Staff Backend Software Engineer to spearhead the development of our platform applications and services. You will architect critical backend solutions, including usage modeling, licensing for our AI products, and scalable services powering our agentic workflows. Your work will directly impact Cognichip’s core product offerings for clients while building internal systems that empower our R&D, product, and sales teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and build robust, scalable backend microservices within a cloud-native Kubernetes environment, ensuring high availability and performance.
• Bridge the gap between backend services and UI requirements, delivering seamless full-stack capabilities where necessary.
• Engineer automated CI/CD workflows for efficient service deployment, container management, and image lifecycles.
• Implement advanced observability, metrics, and alerting strategies to ensure reliability across multi-cluster environments.
• Partner cross-functionally with IDE, Agentic, Evaluations teams to architect backend services that unlock new, high-impact product features.
• Build internal platforms and tooling that empower research, sales, and solutions teams to operate with high velocity.
• Champion engineering excellence by enforcing code quality standards, setting technical strategy, and maintaining architectural consistency across systems.
• Serve as a technical authority for key systems, driving domain expertise and seamless integration within our broader ecosystem.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of software engineering experience, with at least 5+ years in technical leadership roles. For fewer years of experience, the role can be scoped to senior engineer with 5-10 years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record architecting and scaling cloud-native SaaS platforms in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Deep technical expertise in distributed systems, specifically microservices, databases, messaging queues, and caching strategies.
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional product development, effectively bridging the gap between technical requirements and business objectives.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills with a passion for mentoring and developing early-career engineers.

Bonus

• experience in AI/ML infrastructure, developer productivity tools, or startup environments.

What It's Like Here

• We’re a fast-moving AI startup with a collaborative, high-trust culture.
• We value technical excellence, ownership, and the freedom to experiment.
• Our best work happens when our builders and innovators work closely together to turn ambitious ideas into category defining products.
• We operate on a hybrid schedule with four days in office, one day remote.
• If you’re excited to build cutting edge tools that empower semiconductor engineers and reshape how chips are designed, you’ll feel right at home.