Staff Software Engineer, AI Platform

eBay; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 142,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

eBay is building a next-generation AI-powered platform in Toronto, where the Staff Software Engineer – Backend will lead the design and delivery of large-scale backend services. You will shape architecture, mentor engineers, and collaborate with product, data, and partner teams in a hybrid work environment.

You will work across distributed systems, cloud-native stacks, and tooling to improve performance, reliability, and developer productivity, in a role critical to accelerating product delivery

Qualifications

• Proven experience with large-scale backend systems in production.
• Strong background in distributed systems and microservices.
• Experience with cloud-native development and container orchestration.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of scalable backend/platform services powering AI-driven workflows.
• Evolve backend architectures focusing on scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives with product, data, and partner teams.

Skills

Java

Go

Python

Distributed systems

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms

Tools

SQL/NoSQL databases

Messaging systems

API design

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure)

Job description

At eBay, we're more than a global ecommerce leader — we’re changing the way the world shops and sells. Our platform empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world. We’re committed to pushing boundaries and leaving our mark as we reinvent the future of ecommerce for enthusiasts.

Our customers are our compass, authenticity thrives, bold ideas are welcome, and everyone can bring their unique selves to work — every day. We're in this together, sustaining the future of our customers, our company, and our planet.

Join a team of passionate thinkers, innovators, and dreamers — and help us connect people and build communities to create economic opportunity for all.

About The Team And The Role

This role sits within eBay’s engineering organization in Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid) and is focused on building a next-generation AI-powered platform that transforms how software is designed, developed, and delivered at scale. Our Platform Engineering team builds and operates core backend systems that power AI-driven workflows and developer-facing capabilities, enabling product teams across eBay to ship faster with higher quality. As a Staff Software Engineer – Backend, you will be a senior technical leader for critical platform services, driving architectural decisions, leading complex cross-team initiatives, and elevating engineering standards. You will partner closely with product, data, and engineering leaders while mentoring engineers across the organization, all within a collaborative culture that values ownership, thoughtful collaboration, continuous learning, and sustainable work/life balance.

What You Will Accomplish

• Lead the design and delivery of large-scale backend and platform services that power AI-driven workflows, directly improving developer productivity and product delivery across eBay.
• Define and evolve backend architectures with a strong focus on scalability, reliability, and maintainability, influencing long-term platform direction and technical strategy.
• Drive cross-functional technical initiatives with product, data, and partner engineering teams, aligning priorities and de-risking complex, multi-system projects from design through production.
• Raise the bar on engineering practices by championing high standards for code quality, testing, observability, automation, and operational excellence across the platform stack.
• Improve system performance, resilience, and cost efficiency by strengthening monitoring, incident response, and root-cause analysis for production systems.
• Mentor engineers at multiple levels, growing technical leadership within the team and fostering a culture of learning, ownership, and continuous improvement.

What You Will Bring

• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, including a proven track record designing, building, and operating large-scale backend systems in production.
• Strong proficiency in one or more backend languages (such as Java, Go, Python, or similar) and deep experience with distributed systems, microservices, and cloud-native development.
• Hands-on expertise with databases (SQL and/or NoSQL), messaging systems, API design, and modern cloud platforms (for example AWS, GCP, or Azure) including container orchestration with Kubernetes.
• Demonstrated strength in system design, debugging, and performance optimization, with the ability to make thoughtful trade-offs between speed, quality, and long-term scalability.
• Proven ability to influence technical direction without direct authority, collaborating effectively with engineering, product, and business partners and communicating clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience in platform or developer tooling systems and/or familiarity with AI/ML-driven or workflow-based platforms is a plus; this role is based in Toronto, Ontario with a hybrid work model and may require occasional flexibility for key collaboration moments.

Additional Details

The base pay range for this position is expected in the range below:

C$142,400 - C$190,100

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including location, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a target bonus and restricted stock units (as applicable) in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including RRSP eligibility, various paid time off benefits, such as PTO and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

This job posting relates to an existing vacancy within eBay.

eBay is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability, or other legally protected status. If you have a need that requires accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will make every effort to respond to your request for accommodation as soon as possible. View our accessibility statement to learn more about eBay's commitment to ensuring digital accessibility.

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