Backend Engineer

Sgff.Org; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Lean In & The Sandberg Bernthal Family Foundation seeks a Backend Engineer to architect and maintain scalable back-end services and data pipelines powering our platforms. You will turn data into actionable metrics and analyses, with ownership spanning engineering, data engineering, and data science.

The role emphasizes building robust infrastructure, defining strategy through metrics, and enabling growth as our data and platforms scale to serve millions of users.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in back-end or full-stack engineering with data science/analytics experience.
• Strong server-side language proficiency (Python preferred; Node.js, Ruby or Java also welcome) and RESTful APIs.
• Strong SQL with experience in both SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Ability to set and track goal metrics for a team over time.
• Experience building and maintaining data pipelines.
• Experience defining and tracking metrics, plus logging and instrumentation.
• Experience running experiments to measure impact.
• Data visualization skills and clear communication of analyses.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable back-end services, APIs, and database architectures.
• Take end-to-end ownership of technical projects from design to production release.
• Write clean, well-tested code and troubleshoot across the stack.
• Optimize performance, scalability, security, and observability.
• Build and maintain reliable data pipelines from ingestion to reporting.
• Design data infrastructure and warehousing solutions; ensure data quality and governance.
• Partner with leadership to define and track goal metrics and build dashboards.

Skills

Backend engineering

Data analytics

RESTful APIs

SQL / NoSQL

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS / Data Science / Data Engineering

Tools

Python

Node.js

Java

SQL databases

NoSQL databases

Job description

About Lean In & The Sandberg Bernthal Family Foundation

The Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation (SGBFF) works to build a more equal and resilient world. We bring people together to support each other through four initiatives: LeanIn.Org, LeanInGirls.Org, OptionB.Org, and the Dave Goldberg Scholarship Program.

Through our community, research-based content, and programs, we help women and allies build the skills, confidence, and networks they need to reach their full potential. We believe a more equal world is possible – and that it will take us working together to create it. While the majority of your work will focus on Lean In, this role offers the opportunity to drive impact across multiple mission‑driven initiatives.

THE ROLE

We’re hiring a Backend Engineer who will architect and maintain the back‑end services and data pipelines that power our platforms – and you’ll turn the data flowing through them into the metrics and analysis that guide our decisions. Engineer, data engineer, and data scientist all in one seat. This is a unique, high‑growth opportunity. As AI reshapes how software and data work together, the people who can both build robust infrastructure and reason rigorously about what the data says are extraordinarily valuable. You’ll have real ownership, direct influence on strategy through the metrics you define, and room to grow as our data and platforms scale to serve millions.

Build the backend

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable back‑end services, APIs, and database architectures.
• Take end-to-end ownership of technical projects, from technical design to production release.
• Write clean, maintainable, well‑tested code, and troubleshoot and debug across the stack.
• Optimize performance, scalability, and security, and implement robust logging and observability.

Engineer the data

• Build and maintain reliable data pipelines, from raw ingestion to reporting.
• Design and optimize data infrastructure and warehousing solutions.
• Ensure data quality, governance, and consistency across systems.
• Implement logging and instrumentation that make our products measurable.

Drive insight and metrics

• Partner with leadership and product to define, set, and track our goal metrics.
• Build dashboards and visualizations accessible to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Design experiments and analyze A/B tests to optimize features and experiences.
• Build predictive models and recommendation systems that personalize and strengthen user journeys.
• Translate complex analysis into clear, practical recommendations that inform decisions.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in back‑end or full‑stack engineering, with meaningful data science or analytics experience (or the reverse).
• Strong proficiency in a server‑side language (Python preferred; Node.js, Ruby, or Java also welcome) and building RESTful APIs.
• Strong SQL, plus experience working with both SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Strong ability to set goal metrics for a team and track progress over time.
• Proven experience building and maintaining data pipelines.
• Experience defining and tracking metrics, plus logging and instrumentation.
• Experience setting up and running experiments to measure impact.
• Data visualization skills and the ability to communicate analysis in a clear, compelling way.
• A self‑starter who thrives with autonomy and strong problem‑solving skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Excellent cross‑functional collaboration and communication skills.
• A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Data Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• A deep commitment to Lean In’s mission to inspire and equip women to lead.
• Alignment with the Sandberg Bernthal Family Foundation’s initiatives, including building resilience and advancing equality.

The Sandberg Goldberg Bernthal Family Foundation is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard to age, race, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.

It’s important to us that people of all identities and backgrounds see themselves represented and included in our work, so we actively encourage people of all identities and experiences to apply.