Lead Software Engineer – Backend / Distributed Systems

EPAM Systems, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

EPAM Systems, Inc. seeks a Lead Backend/Distributed Systems Engineer to design and operate high-performance services that integrate with distributed storage and scale reliably.

You will lead by example across engineering and on-call support while collaborating with global teams to build resilient systems. Responsibilities include system design for scalable, high-availability architectures, concurrency optimization, and evolving RPC services using gRPC or Thrift.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on Rust backend engineering experience.
• Strong technical leadership to drive design and delivery across teams.
• Proven ownership of scalable, reliable backend services.
• Solid distributed storage expertise beyond off-the-shelf databases.
• Advanced concurrency knowledge (async and multithreading).
• Strong RPC experience using gRPC or Apache Thrift.

Responsibilities

• Design backend services that are high-performance, scalable, and reliable.
• Build distributed-systems components that interact with storage systems under real-world constraints.
• Lead system design for scalable, high-availability architectures.
• Implement concurrency patterns using async programming and multithreading.
• Develop and evolve RPC-based services using gRPC or Apache Thrift.
• Troubleshoot production issues through debugging and root-cause analysis.
• Provide operational support and participate in an on-call rotation.
• Collaborate with global teams across time zones.

Skills

Rust backend

Technical leadership

Distributed storage

Concurrency (async/multithreading)

RPC services (gRPC/Thrift)

System design

Production troubleshooting

Go (nice to have)

Python (nice to have)

Linux/Production ops

Tools

gRPC

Apache Thrift

Job description

We are seeking a Lead Backend/Distributed Systems Engineer to design and operate high-performance services that integrate with distributed storage systems and run reliably at scale. You will lead by example across engineering and on-call support while collaborating with global teams—apply now to build resilient systems with us.ResponsibilitiesDesign backend services that are high-performance, scalable, and reliableBuild distributed-systems components that interact with storage systems under real-world constraintsLead system design for scalable, distributed, high-availability architecturesImplement concurrency patterns using async programming and multithreading where appropriateDevelop and evolve RPC-based services using gRPC or Apache ThriftTroubleshoot production issues through debugging and root-cause analysisProvide operational support and participate in an on-call rotationCollaborate across global teams and coordinate work within agreed core hoursRequirements5+ years of hands-on Rust backend engineering experienceStrong technical leadership skills to drive design and delivery across teamsProven project ownership experience for scalable, reliable backend servicesSolid distributed storage systems expertise beyond using off-the-shelf databasesAdvanced concurrent programming knowledge including async and multithreading modelsStrong RPC service experience using gRPC or Apache ThriftStrong data structures and algorithms skills for complex problem solvingStrong debugging and production troubleshooting skills in live environmentsFlexible scheduling availability for occasional early/late meetings across time zonesUpper-Intermediate English proficiency (B2, Upper-Intermediate)Nice to haveGo language proficiency for backend service developmentLinux expertise for production operations and troubleshootingPython experience to onboard quickly and deliver non-trivial featuresSystem design and analysis experience for distributed and high-availability servicesgRPC expertise including schema design and backward-compatible API evolutionWe offerInternational projects with top brandsWork with global teams of highly skilled, diverse peersHealthcare benefitsEmployee financial programsPaid time off and sick leaveUpskilling, reskilling and certification coursesUnlimited access to the LinkedIn Learning library and 22,000+ coursesGlobal career opportunitiesVolunteer and community involvement opportunitiesEPAM Employee GroupsAward-winning culture recognized by Glassdoor, Newsweek and LinkedInEPAM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.