Lead Full-Stack Engineer - Backend Focus

Humana; United States; Remote; USD 155,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

Humana seeks a Lead Software Engineer to build a robust platform and API layer for its AI-enabled products. You will own backend services, REST/GraphQL APIs, and secure by design patterns across Care systems and data layers.

The role emphasizes platform scalability, HIPAA-compliant data handling, and end-to-end ownership from architecture to production. Remote-friendly with some travel to designated sites as needed.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of software engineering experience with deep expertise in backend and platform engineering
• Strong proficiency in TypeScript and/or Python for API and service development
• Proven track record building scalable, production-grade REST or GraphQL APIs
• Solid understanding of authentication (OAuth2, OIDC), API security patterns, and authorization model design
• Working knowledge of HIPAA requirements, particularly secure transmission, storage, and access control for PHI
• Experience with Next.js and React sufficient for full-stack feature contribution
• Demonstrated ownership of complex backend systems end-to-end, from architecture through production operation
• Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools and LLM coding harnesses (Claude Code, Pi Agent, Cursor, Codex, or similar)

Responsibilities

• Platform and API Architecture: Design and lead development of core backend services, REST and GraphQL APIs, and service-to-service integrations.
• Security and Compliance by Design: Establish patterns for authentication, authorization, rate limiting, PHI access control, and audit logging.
• AI and LLM Integration Patterns: Define and implement reusable patterns for integrating AI capabilities into product APIs, including LLM routing, streaming responses, tool orchestration.
• Observability and Reliability: Build logging, monitoring, and alerting infrastructure so the platform is operable and debuggable at scale.
• Full-Stack Feature Delivery: Contribute to product feature development end-to-end using TypeScript and Next.js, from server-side APIs to rendered UI.
• Architecture Reviews and Standards: Drive architecture reviews and define backend engineering standards that the full engineering team builds on.

Skills

TypeScript

Python

Backend engineering

API design

OAuth2/OIDC

HIPAA security

Next.js/React

LLM integration

Education

BS/MS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Claude Code

Pi Agent

Cursor

Codex

Job description

Become a part of our caring community

The Lead Software Engineer codes software applications based on business requirements. The Lead Software Engineer works on problems of diverse scope and complexity ranging from moderate to substantial.

As Centerwell builds its AI engineering function from the ground up, we need a platform foundation strong enough to support everything that comes next. As Lead Full-Stack Engineer focused on platform and API engineering, you will design and build the service layer that connects AI capabilities, data systems, and product frontends-setting the standards for how services are built, secured, and operated across the team.

You will work with meaningful architectural scope, making decisions that span API design, security patterns, and deployment practices. The platform you build will serve care teams and patients across hundreds of Centerwell clinics. If you want to build platforms that others build on-and do it in service of better primary care-this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Platform and API Architecture: Design and lead development of core backend services, REST and GraphQL APIs, and service-to-service integrations that connect all layers of Centerwell's AI product stack.
• Security and Compliance by Design: Establish patterns for authentication, authorization, rate limiting, PHI access control, and audit logging. Ensure HIPAA compliance is embedded in platform design from day one-not bolted on after the fact.
• AI and LLM Integration Patterns: Define and implement reusable patterns for integrating AI capabilities into product APIs, including LLM routing, streaming responses, tool orchestration, and model output handling.
• Observability and Reliability: Build logging, monitoring, and alerting infrastructure so the platform is operable and debuggable at scale.
• Full-Stack Feature Delivery: Contribute to product feature development end-to-end using TypeScript and Next.js, from server-side APIs to rendered UI.
• Architecture Reviews and Standards: Drive architecture reviews and define backend engineering standards that the full engineering team builds on.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of software engineering experience with deep expertise in backend and platform engineering
• Strong proficiency in TypeScript and/or Python for API and service development
• Proven track record building scalable, production-grade REST or GraphQL APIs
• Solid understanding of authentication (OAuth2, OIDC), API security patterns, and authorization model design
• Working knowledge of HIPAA requirements, particularly secure transmission, storage, and access control for PHI
• Experience with Next.js and React sufficient for full-stack feature contribution
• Demonstrated ownership of complex backend systems end-to-end, from architecture through production operation
• Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools and LLM coding harnesses (Claude Code, Pi Agent, Cursor, Codex, or similar)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare, financial services, or other highly regulated industries
• Exposure to event-driven architecture, microservices, or API gateway patterns at scale
• Familiarity with AI/LLM integration patterns, including streaming APIs and tool-use orchestration
• Experience in a greenfield or team-founding engineering environment

Additional Information

The candidate must live close to one of our designated IT locations: NYC, NY; Louisville, KY; Tampa, FL; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Dallas/Frisco, TX; Boston, MA; Washington, D.C: Atlanta, GA, Nashville, TN, Chicago, IL, or Charlotte, NC.

Work at Home Requirements: To ensure Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees' ability to work effectively, the self-provided internet service of Home or Hybrid Home/Office employees must meet the following criteria: At minimum, a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps is required; wireless, wired cable or DSL connection is suggested. In certain roles, the minimum recommended internet speed required by Humana may not be sufficient for business needs. Humana reserves the right to require associates to upgrade their internet service if necessary. Work from a dedicated space lacking ongoing interruptions to protect member PHI / HIPAA information.

Travel: While this is a remote position, occasional travel to Humana's offices for training or meetings may be required.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Pay Range

$155,200 - $213,400 per year

This job is eligible for a bonus incentive plan. This incentive opp