Backend Software Engineer - Los Angeles, CA

Otter; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k)

Health Savings Account

Discretionary vacation

8 paid holidays

Job summary

Otter is seeking a Backend Engineer for the Verify team to design, implement, and scale core infrastructure powering our real-time edge computer vision product. You’ll work at the intersection of real-time compute, streaming data, and hardware, helping restaurants and partners leverage online food delivery.

We welcome backend generalists who enjoy solving complex scaling challenges, building robust APIs, and learning new technologies.

Qualifications

• Strong production experience designing, building, and maintaining scalable distributed systems and robust APIs.
• Stack includes Java and Python; fundamentals matter more than language specifics.
• Familiarity with relational and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis).
• Debugging, system design, and architectural thinking skills.
• Interest in edge computing, Linux-based systems, and computer vision pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement robust, high-throughput edge services and APIs for real-time data.
• Optimize backend systems for low latency and high reliability.
• Bridge cloud infrastructure with edge devices.
• Collaborate with other teams to deploy production-ready systems.
• Maintain high code quality through testing, reviews, and monitoring.

Skills

Distributed systems

APIs

Java

Python

Databases

Debugging & design

Edge computing

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Kafka

RabbitMQ

MQTT

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Redis

Job description

In the past, to be a successful restaurateur, you simply had to have a passion for food and a passion for people - but to succeed as a digital restaurateur you also need to have a passion for technology. We believe in the joy of serving others, and that's why we created Otter – to help restaurateurs succeed in online food delivery. Restaurants around the world, both large and small, including Chick-fil-A, Ben & Jerry’s, KFC, and Eataly trust our software to power their delivery business. We increase sales, reduce order issues, and decrease delivery headaches.

What you’ll do

As a Backend Engineer on the Otter Verify team, you will design, implement, and scale the core infrastructure powering our real-time edge computer vision product. This role sits at an intersection of real-time compute, large scale data streaming, and physical hardware.

We are looking for strong product-minded or infrastructure-focused backend engineers. While our domain involves edge computing and computer vision, you do not need to be an expert in those fields today. If you are a backend generalist who loves solving complex scaling problems, designing robust APIs, and learning new technologies, this will be an exciting project for you.

Core Responsibilities

• Design and implement robust, high-throughput edge services and APIs capable of handling large volumes of real-time data.
• Optimize backend systems for low latency, high reliability, and efficient resource utilization.
• Help bridge the gap between our cloud infrastructure and physical edge devices.
• Work closely with other engineering teams to deploy and scale production-ready systems.
• Maintain high code quality through testing, code reviews, and robust system monitoring.

What we’re looking for

Basic Qualifications

• Strong production experience designing, building, and maintaining scalable distributed systems and robust APIs.
• Our stack heavily utilizes Java and Python, but we care more about your engineering fundamentals than the specific languages you've used.
• Familiarity with relational and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis)
• Debugging, system design, and architectural thinking skills.
• A strong desire to dive into new domains like edge computing, Linux-based systems, and computer vision pipelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Any background or interest in IoT, hardware integration, or deploying computer vision/ML models.
• Familiarity with Linux-based environments or containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with message brokers or streaming tools (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ, MQTT) for real-time data.
• Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Demand for online food delivery is growing really fast! In the last 5 years, just in the US, the overall market has expanded 10X from $10B to $100B, and could expand to $500bn- $1T by 2030.
• Changing the restaurant industry: You’ll be part of a team that helps restaurants succeed in online food delivery.
• Collaborative environment: You will receive support and guidance from experienced colleagues and managers, helping you to learn, grow and achieve your goals, and you’ll work closely with other teams to ensure our customer’s success.

What else you need to know

This role is based in our Los Angeles office. As a company driven by innovation and continuous change, close collaboration is essential. We’re constantly reimagining our industry, creating new products, and refining our processes, and we do our best work together. That’s why all of our office-based teams work onsite, five days a week.

The base salary range for this role is $167,000 - $230,000 per year.

Actual compensation will be determined on an individual basis and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package. You may also be eligible for equity awards and an annual performance-based bonus.

Benefits Summary (USA Full-Time Exempt Employees):

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans, incl. HSA options)
• Company-paid life and disability insurance (short- and long-term)
• Voluntary insurance: accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity
• Optional supplemental life insurance for self, spouse, and children
• 401(k)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Discretionary vacation days
• 8 paid holidays per year

Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion.
Atoms accepts applications on an ongoing basis.

Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others?

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