Backend Engineer

Lightning AI; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Flexible paid time off

$500 one-time home office stipend

Job summary

A leading AI company in San Francisco is seeking a Backend Engineer to enhance their platform. This role involves developing features from concept to release, working with a team of experts. Candidates should have considerable experience in Go and cloud systems. The position is hybrid, with 2 days in the office, offering a salary range of $120,000 to $250,000, plus inclusive benefits like medical insurance and a learning stipend.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience writing maintainable code in Go.
• Broad knowledge of backend and frontend systems.
• Experience with cloud platforms and system design.

Responsibilities

• Write readable/testable/efficient code in Go.
• Master technology stack to improve stability and performance.
• Evaluate and document technical architecture.

Skills

Efficient code writing in Go

API and CLI development

Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)

Docker and Kubernetes

Software quality and test automation

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Job description

Who We Are

Lightning AI is the company behind PyTorch Lightning. Founded in 2019, we build an end-to-end platform for developing, training, and deploying AI systems—designed to take ideas from research to production with less friction.

Through our merger with Voltage Park, a neocloud and AI Factory, Lightning AI combines developer-first software with cost-efficient, large-scale compute. Teams get the tools they need for experimentation, training, and production inference, with security, observability, and control built in.

We serve solo researchers, startups, and large enterprises. Lightning AI operates globally with offices in New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and London, and is backed by Coatue, Index Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and Firstminute.

Our Values

Move Fast: We act with speed and precision, breaking down big challenges into achievable steps.

Focus: We complete one goal at a time with care, collaborating as a team to deliver features with precision.

Balance: Sustained performance comes from rest and recovery. We ensure a healthy work-life balance to keep you at your best.

Craftsmanship: Innovation through excellence. Every detail matters, and we take pride in mastering our craft.

Minimal: Simplicity drives our innovation. We eliminate complexity through discipline and focus on what truly matters.

What we're looking for

We are looking for a Backend Engineer to work on developing and scaling the Lightning AI platform from the frontend, CLI, and API, to billing, security, and integrations.

We want someone who can take ownership of key features and drive development from end to end while collaborating with a super-smart team of engineers, product managers, and designers. Here, you’ll build from proof of concept to release with a focus on speed, quality, and iteration.

This is an opportunity to create groundbreaking technology that will transform the machine-learning ecosystem! You will be joining the Blue Squad and report to our Director of Engineering. This is a hybrid role based in our Bay Area office with in-office requirements of 2 days per week. The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $250,000.

Responsibilities

• Write readable/testable/efficient code in Go (Golang).
• Master our technology stack to deliver new features, improve system stability, and increase overall performance.
• Partner with engineering and product leaders on developing the Lightning product while using your experience to set the technical direction for large projects.
• Evaluate, strengthen, and document technical architecture, tools, and processes.
• Champion software quality, implement automation, drive continuous delivery, and reduce time to production while proactively reducing technical debt.
• Mentor and coach engineers on system design, operating in high uncertainty, and problem-solving to create a supportive, inclusive environment where each engineer can grow.

What you’ll need

• Extensive experience writing efficient, maintainable code in Go. Familiarity with best practices in testing, readability, and optimization is essential.
• Broad knowledge of backend and frontend systems, with experience building and scaling APIs, CLI tools, billing systems, and security protocols. Exposure to frontend frameworks is a plus.
• Experience with cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure and designing systems that are reliable, performant, and scalable. Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a strong advantage.
• Proven ability to take ownership of key features and drive end-to-end development
• Commitment to software quality, test automation, and continuous delivery. Experience proactively managing technical debt and speeding up time to production.
• Hands-on experience as a backend or product engineer in a SaaS technology company
• Communication and collaboration with engineers, product managers, and designers
• Ability to operate in high uncertainty and rapidly changing environments

Benefits and Perks

We offer competitive base salaries and equity with a 25% one year cliff and monthly vesting thereafter. For our international employees, we work with our EOR to pay you in your local currency and provide equitable benefits across the globe.

In the US, we offer:

• Medical, dental and vision
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Flexible paid time off including winter closure
• Paid family leave benefits
• $500 one time home office stipend
• $1,000 annual learning & development stipend
• 100% Citibike membership (NYC only)
• Additional various medical and mental health services

At Lightning AI, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe that diverse teams drive innovation and create better products. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We are dedicated to building a culture where everyone can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential.