Senior Backend Engineer

Picnic; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 242,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k)

Discretionary vacation days

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Picnic is searching for a Senior Backend Engineer to architect and scale its real-time food ordering platforms in Mountain View, CA. The role requires proficiency in Java and Go, along with experience in database management and cloud platforms.

Responsibilities include writing high-quality code, leading backend initiatives, and mentoring engineers. The position also offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision insurance, and a competitive salary package ranging from $176,000 to $242,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Java and Go for backend programming.
• Experience with databases like PostgreSQL and MongoDB.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS and Google Cloud.
• Deep understanding of backend system design and distributed systems.

Responsibilities

• Write maintainable code and manage a full software lifecycle.
• Lead backend initiatives ensuring systems' scalability and reliability.
• Mentor junior engineers through technical leadership.

Skills

Backend programming languages (Java, Go)

Relational and NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis)

Cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)

Understanding of RESTful APIs, microservices, distributed systems

High-performance engineering

Backend system design

Collaboration with frontend and mobile teams

Passion for product impact

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

About the Role

We’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to help architect and scale Picnic’s real-time food ordering and operations platforms. This is a high-impact role for someone who enjoys ambiguity, thrives in complex systems, and is excited to iterate and improve real-world operations.

You’ll work across backend services that support web and mobile surfaces, partner closely with frontend, mobile, product, and operations teams, and help define how we design, build, and scale backend systems at Picnic.

What You’ll Do

• Write high-quality, well-tested code in languages like Java and Go, set a strong bar for engineering excellence, and manage and sustain a full software lifecycle
• Lead backend initiatives ensuring scalability and reliability across domains such as food ordering, payments, discounts, and loyalty
• Drive the development with a strong focus on reliability-by-design, observability, and testability
• Design scalable databases, analyze data using SQL
• Mentor and uplevel engineers through technical leadership, reviews, and hands‑on collaboration

What We’re Looking For

• Proficiency in backend programming languages Java and Go
• Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis)
• Experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure
• Understanding of RESTful APIs, microservices, and distributed systems
• A high-performance, hands‑on engineer who sets a high bar for code quality, reliability, and operational excellence
• Deep understanding of backend system design, APIs, data stores, concurrency, and distributed systems
• Experience collaborating closely with frontend, mobile, product, data, and business partners
• Passion for product impact and building systems that directly support customers and operators

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building web or mobile applications. Familiarity with frontend and mobile tradeoffs and how backend decisions affect client performance
• Experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
• Track record of improving developer productivity through tooling, patterns, or process improvements

Location and Compensation

This role is based in our Mountain View, CA office. We require in‑office five days a week for all non‑field roles.

Base salary range: $176,000 - 242,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined individually and may vary depending on experience, skills, and qualifications. Total rewards may include 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
• Pet insurance discount
• 401(k)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Time Off policies:
  • Discretionary vacation days
  • 8 paid holidays per year
  • Paid sick time
  • Paid Bereavement leave
  • Paid Parental Leave

Benefits are subject to change at the company's discretion.