Principal Backend Engineer (Remote)

Parts Town; Addison (IL); Hybrid; USD 133,164 - 179,711; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team member appreciation events

Volunteer opportunities

Monthly IT stipend

Casual dress code

On-demand pay options

Health insurance

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading restaurant equipment distributor is seeking a Principal Backend Engineer to design and optimize scalable microservices for their eCommerce platforms. In this role, you will champion best practices in API design, leverage technologies like Node.js and Docker, and mentor fellow engineers. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience in backend design and be knowledgeable about distributed systems. This position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in backend system design, eCommerce, and distributed applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Expert in Node.js, TypeScript, and cloud-native platforms.
• Familiar with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), serverless computing, and containerization.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable, cloud-native microservices for eCommerce and enterprise platforms.
• Implement best practices in API design and event-driven architectures.
• Lead disaster recovery strategies and define observability best practices.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to architectural decisions.

Skills

Node.js

TypeScript

Cloud-native platforms (Azure preferred)

Database knowledge (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis)

Event-driven architectures (Kafka, NATS)

API standards (REST, GraphQL)

CI/CD practices

Mentorship skills

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

Pulumi

Job description

As the fastest-growing distributor of restaurant equipment, HVAC and residential appliance parts, we like to do things a little differently. First, you need to understand and demonstrate our Core Values with safety being your first priority. That’s key. But we’re also looking for unique enthusiasm, high integrity, courage to embrace change…and if you know a few jokes, that puts you on the top of our list!

Do you have a genius-level knowledge of original equipment manufacturer parts? If not, no problem! We’re more interested in passionate people with fresh ideas from different backgrounds. That’s what keeps us at the top of our game. We’re proud that our workplace has been recognized for its growth and innovation on the Inc. 5000 list 15 years in a row and the Crain’s Fast 50 list ten times. We are honored to be voted by our Chicagoland team as a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for the last four years.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, go above and beyond and put your ambition to work, all while having some fun, let’s chat – Apply Today!

• Team member appreciation events and recognition programs
• Volunteer opportunities
• Monthly IT stipend
• Casual dress code
• On-demand pay options: Access your pay as you earn it, to cover unexpected or even everyday expenses
• All the traditional benefits like health insurance, 401k/401k match, employee assistance programs and time away – don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

The Job at a Glance

As a Principal Backend Engineer, you will design, architect, and optimize scalable microservices that power our eCommerce and enterprise platforms. You’ll drive backend architecture and ensure seamless integration across systems like commerce, CMS, ERP, PIM, and marketing. Championing best practices in modularization, API design, and event-driven architectures, you’ll leverage Node.js, TypeScript, Docker, Kubernetes, and serverless technologies to create secure, high-performance services.

You’ll own backend engineering policies, CI/CD pipelines, and testing automation to ensure reliable deployments. As a technical leader, you'll define logging, observability, and disaster recovery strategies, ensuring high availability. Collaboration with frontend, DevOps, and data teams will be key to optimizing system performance. Mentoring engineers and contributing to architectural decisions will be central to your role. This position is ideal for someone with extensive experience in backend design and distributed systems.

A Typical Day

• Backend Architecture: Design scalable, cloud-native microservices and ensure seamless interoperability between platforms (eCommerce, CMS, ERP, PIM, marketing)
• Implementation & Best Practices: Leverage Node.js, TypeScript, Docker, Kubernetes, and serverless technologies to build high-performance services. Advocate for modularization, API-first, event-driven architectures, and domain-driven design
• Engineering Standards: Establish CI/CD practices, automated testing, and backend tooling standards. Drive adoption of best practices for service-to-service communication (REST, GraphQL, gRPC)
• Operational Practices: Lead disaster recovery strategies, define observability and logging best practices, and drive automated testing strategies
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with frontend, DevOps, and data teams to optimize APIs, caching, and databases.
• Mentor engineers and collaborate with other Principal Engineers to ensure engineering excellence

To Land This Opportunity

• You have s strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• You have 10+ years of experience in backend system design, eCommerce, and distributed applications
• You’re an expert in Node.js, TypeScript, and cloud-native platforms (Azure preferred)
• You‘re passionate and knowledg eable of databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis), microservices, event-driven architectures (Kafka, NATS), and API standards (REST, GraphQL)
• You possess experience with unit, integration, and contract testing (Jest, Mocha, Pact) and CI/CD (Terraform, Pulumi)
• You are a familiar with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), serverless computing, Kubernetes, and containerization
• You have p roven ability to mentor engineers and collaborate across teams.

About Your Future Team

TheEcommerceteam isa fast-growinggroup that embraces the rapid change that comes withincredible growth. We bring our whole selvesto work each day- personality and all -in true Parts Town style.

At Parts Town, we value transparency and are committed to ensuring our team members feel appreciated and supported. We prioritize our positive workplace culture where collaboration, growth, and work-life balance are celebrated. The salary range for this role is $133,164.93 - $179,711.01 annually w hich is based on including but not limited to qualifications, experience, and geographical location. Parts Town is a pay for performance-company. In addition to base pay, some roles offer a profit-sharing program, and an annual bonus depending on the role. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) with match, employee assistance programs, paid time off, paid sick time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and professional development opportunities.

Parts Town welcomes diversity and as an equal opportunity employer all qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.