Lead, Backend

Keka Inc.; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

ZoTok is seeking an SDE III – Backend to own and scale backend systems powering its AI-driven commerce platform. You will design, develop, and operate scalable services, APIs, and data stores, leveraging Node.js, LoopBack, or NestJS, with a focus on performance and reliability.

This hands-on role requires deep expertise in microservices, RESTful APIs, and cloud infrastructure, with ownership across full stack boundaries and collaboration with product, QA, and DevOps teams.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of backend development experience.
• Strong expertise in Node.js.
• Hands-on experience with LoopBack and/or NestJS.
• Strong experience designing and developing RESTful APIs and Microservices.
• Strong knowledge of MySQL/RDBMS, database design, query optimization.
• Hands-on experience with AWS, particularly Lambda and ECS.
• Experience with Docker and containerization.
• Strong understanding of system design, distributed systems, scalability, and high-performance backend architecture.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles such as SOLID, DRY, and KISS.
• Experience building and maintaining production-grade systems at scale.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable, high-performance backend services and APIs.
• Take end-to-end ownership of complex backend modules and technical initiatives.
• Design and implement RESTful APIs and Microservices architecture.
• Build backend applications using Node.js, LoopBack, and/or NestJS.
• Design and optimize MySQL/RDBMS schemas, queries, and database architecture.
• Build, deploy, and optimize applications using AWS services such as Lambda and ECS.
• Develop highly reliable and fault-tolerant systems capable of handling scale and growing workloads.
• Participate in system design and architecture discussions and contribute to key technical decisions.
• Identify performance bottlenecks and drive improvements in latency, scalability, reliability, and resource utilization.
• Troubleshoot complex production issues and implement robust long-term solutions.
• Write clean, maintainable, well-tested, and optimized code following engineering best practices.
• Conduct code reviews and contribute to maintaining high engineering standards.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Frontend, QA, DevOps, and other stakeholders to deliver solutions end-to-end.
• Evaluate and adopt appropriate technologies, tools, and engineering practices to improve system performance and development efficiency.
• Contribute to AI/ML and GenAI-powered capabilities where applicable.

Skills

Node.js

RESTful APIs

Microservices

MySQL

AWS

Docker

Distributed systems

SOLID

Technical ownership

Tools

LoopBack

NestJS

Docker

AWS

Lambda

ECS

Job description

Notice Period: Immediate Joiners Preferred

ZoTok is an AI-powered conversational commerce platform transforming how businesses manage their order-to-cash journey through WhatsApp . We combine AI, automation, and enterprise technology to help brands, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers streamline their business operations.

We are looking for an SDE III – Backend who can take ownership of complex backend systems, contribute to architecture and system design, and build highly scalable and reliable services.

Position Overview

As an SDE III – Backend , you will be a highly hands-on individual contributor responsible for designing, developing, and scaling backend systems that power ZoTok's products.

You will work on complex technical challenges involving microservices, APIs, databases, cloud infrastructure, and distributed systems , while contributing to architectural decisions and engineering best practices.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving challenging engineering problems, owning systems end-to-end, and building production-grade software at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable, high-performance backend services and APIs .
• Take end-to-end ownership of complex backend modules and technical initiatives.
• Design and implement RESTful APIs and Microservices architecture .
• Build backend applications using Node.js, LoopBack, and/or NestJS .
• Design and optimize MySQL/RDBMS schemas, queries, and database architecture.
• Build, deploy, and optimize applications using AWS services such as Lambda and ECS .
• Develop highly reliable and fault-tolerant systems capable of handling scale and growing workloads.
• Participate in system design and architecture discussions and contribute to key technical decisions.
• Identify performance bottlenecks and drive improvements in latency, scalability, reliability, and resource utilization .
• Troubleshoot complex production issues and implement robust long-term solutions.
• Write clean, maintainable, well-tested, and optimized code following engineering best practices.
• Conduct code reviews and contribute to maintaining high engineering standards.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Frontend, QA, DevOps, and other stakeholders to deliver solutions end-to-end.
• Evaluate and adopt appropriate technologies, tools, and engineering practices to improve system performance and development efficiency.
• Contribute to AI/ML and GenAI-powered capabilities where applicable.

Required Skills & Experience

• 6+ years of strong hands-on backend development experience .
• Strong expertise in Node.js .
• Hands-on experience with LoopBack and/or NestJS .
• Strong experience designing and developing RESTful APIs and Microservices .
• Strong knowledge of MySQL/RDBMS , database design, query optimization, and performance tuning.
• Hands-on experience with AWS , particularly Lambda and ECS .
• Experience with Docker and containerization .
• Strong understanding of system design, distributed systems, scalability, and high-performance backend architecture .
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles such as SOLID, DRY, and KISS .
• Experience building and maintaining production-grade systems at scale .
• Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to take technical ownership and independently drive complex engineering initiatives.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Good to Have

• Exposure to AI/ML, GenAI, or LLM-based applications .
• Experience with event-driven architecture, message queues, caching, or distributed systems.
• Experience with FinTech, SaaS, E-commerce, CommerceTech, or B2B platforms .
• Experience working in a high-growth startup/product environment .
• Experience with performance engineering, observability, and production monitoring.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a strong individual contributor who can operate independently, solve complex backend problems, and take ownership of critical systems.

You should be comfortable going deep into architecture, code, databases, APIs, cloud infrastructure, and system performance rather than simply implementing assigned tasks.