Backend Engineer - Music

Lever, Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 152,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Six-month paid parental leave

401(k) retirement plan

Monthly meal allowance

23 paid days off

Paid flexible holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Spotify is seeking a Backend Engineer to shape how millions of listeners experience music videos, collaborating with data engineers, backend engineers, and cross-functional partners.

You will build production backend systems, design scalable services, and maintain Java and Scio pipelines used by millions daily, in a role that values collaboration, reliability, and experimentation.

Qualifications

• Experience with Java or JVM languages and data pipelines like Scio or Apache Beam.
• Built and operated distributed, high-volume services in production.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, preferably Google Cloud Platform.

Responsibilities

• Build and run production backend systems that improve discovery and enjoyment of music videos.
• Design, develop, and evolve scalable backend services and APIs for high-traffic parts of the Spotify app.
• Develop and maintain Java services and Scio data pipelines used by millions of listeners daily.
• Partner with product managers and engineers to solve complex problems and create smooth experiences for listeners.
• Contribute to system design, code quality, and reliable, well-run systems as part of an autonomous squad.
• Explore and experiment with AI tools to improve how we build and ship.

Skills

Java

Data pipelines

Distributed systems

Google Cloud Platform

APIs

Tools

Scio

Apache Beam

Job description

The Music Mission team owns Spotify's end to end proposition for music creators and the experiences they create for fans. The organization is dedicated to building tools and services to enable creation, promotion, expression, and monetization at scale.

Our team makes music videos easy for fans to discover and meaningful for artists, powered by scalable, intelligent infrastructure that grows with our catalog. We're building personalized music video playlists, sorting videos into meaningful categories, and learning which videos listeners are most likely to love, then helping that content reach the right people.

As a Backend Engineer, you'll help shape how millions of listeners experience music videos on Spotify, working alongside Data Engineers, Backend Engineers, and partners across product and design.

What You’ll Do

• Build and run production backend systems that improve how listeners discover and enjoy music videos.
• Design, develop, and evolve scalable backend services and APIs that support high-traffic parts of the Spotify app.
• Develop and maintain Java services and Scio data pipelines used by millions of listeners every day.
• Partner with product managers and engineers to solve complex problems and create smooth, enjoyable experiences for listeners.
• Contribute to system design, code quality, and reliable, well-run systems as part of an autonomous, cross-functional squad.
• Explore and experiment with AI tools available at Spotify to improve how we build and ship.

Who You Are

• You have experience with Java or another JVM language, and familiarity with (or interest in learning) data pipeline tools like Scio, Apache Beam, or similar.
• You've built and operated distributed, high-volume services in production, ideally on a cloud platform such as Google Cloud Platform.
• You're comfortable with system design, data structures, and algorithms, and use data to inform how you design systems and make decisions.
• You work directly with partners to understand their needs and turn them into scalable backend systems, APIs, and pipelines.
• You enjoy working in teams where experimentation and iteration are part of everyday work.
• You care about code quality, reliability, and maintainability, and take pride in shipping well-crafted work.
• You bring a collaborative mindset and are comfortable working across team boundaries. Experience in data engineering or machine learning is a bonus, not a requirement.

Where You’ll Be

• We offer you the flexibility to work where you work best! There will be some in person meetings, but still allows for flexibility to work from home.
• This team operates within the US Eastern timezone for collaboration

The United States base range for this position is $151,942–$189,927 USD, plus equity. The benefits available for this position include:

• health insurance
• six-month paid parental leave
• 401(k) retirement plan
• monthly meal allowance
• 23 paid days off
• paid flexible holidays
• paid sick leave

These ranges may be modified in the future.

Spotify is an equal opportunity employer. You are welcome at Spotify for who you are, no matter where you come from, what you look like, or what’s playing in your headphones. Our platform is for everyone, and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all thrive, contribute, and be forward-thinking! So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It’s in our differences that we will find the power to keep revolutionizing the way the world listens.

At Spotify, we are passionate about inclusivity and making sure our entire recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We have ways to request reasonable accommodations during the interview process and help assist in what you need. If you need accommodations at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know - we’re here to support you in any way we can.