Senior Backend Engineer (Python, AI, EdTech)

Novakid School; United States; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited paid time off

100% remote flexibility

Stock options

Bonuses

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Novakid is building a modern AI-powered online English learning platform for kids. We’re seeking a Senior+ Backend Engineer to shape architecture, mentor engineers, and drive technical decisions that impact millions of learners.

You will design backend systems with microservices, AWS serverless, and data pipelines, collaborate with Product and Data Science, and ensure code quality, security, and scalability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional backend engineering experience.
• Proven system design, architecture, and scaling distributed systems.
• Strong knowledge of PostgreSQL, Redis, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Celery.
• Hands-on with microservices and AWS serverless stack (Lambda, SQS/SNS, EventBridge).
• Software engineering best practices: code reviews, testing, CI/CD, observability, security.
• Experience mentoring developers or leading technical initiatives.
• Fluent English (we work across 15+ countries).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and evolution of backend architecture (microservices, event-driven, AWS serverless).
• Drive technical decisions and ensure code quality, security, and scalability.
• Mentor and support backend engineers, review code, and help growth.
• Design and build robust APIs and data flows powering AI-driven language features.
• Partner with Product and Data Science to translate cutting-edge AI models into real-world educational experiences.
• Identify risks and balance speed with long-term scalability.

Skills

Python

Backend architecture

PostgreSQL

Redis

FastAPI

SQLAlchemy

Celery

AWS serverless

Mentoring

English

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Observability

Job description

At Novakid, we’re building the world’s most engaging online English-learning platform for kids. With 80,000+ students and 2,500+ teachers across 15+ countries, we’ve proven the demand. Now we’re scaling up — and we want you to help us design and build the future of AI-driven education.

We’re not just writing code. We’re creating a smart, personalized learning experience powered by modern AI models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc.), robust backend systems, and a passionate team that believes in changing how children learn.

Your role

We’re looking for a Senior+ Backend Engineer who’s ready to step beyond coding and take technical leadership responsibilities within our core platform team. You’ll be shaping architecture, mentoring engineers, and making strategic technical decisions that will directly influence how millions of kids learn languages.

This is a hybrid role that combines:

Deep hands-on coding in Python & modern backend technologies. Architectural leadership, designing scalable, reliable systems.

What you’ll do

Lead the design and evolution of our backend architecture (microservices, event-driven systems, AWS serverless, data pipelines).

Drive technical decisions and ensure best practices in code quality, security, and scalability.

Mentor and support backend developers, reviewing code and helping them grow as engineers.

Design and build robust APIs and data flows powering AI-driven language learning features.

Partner with Product and Data Science teams to turn cutting-edge AI models into real-world educational experiences.

Anticipate technical risks, propose solutions, and balance speed with long-term scalability.

What you bring

5+ years of professional backend engineering experience (Python 3.8+ is a must)

Proven track record in system design, architecture, and scaling distributed systems.

Strong knowledge of PostgreSQL, Redis, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Celery. Hands‑on experience with microservices & AWS serverless stack (Lambda, SQS/SNS, EventBridge, etc.).

Solid understanding of software engineering best practices: code reviews, testing, CI/CD, observability, security.

Experience mentoring developers or leading technical initiatives.

Fluent English (we work across 15+ countries).

Nice to have

Background in startups or high‑growth environments.

Exposure to edtech or e-commerce platforms.

Interest in data‑intensive systems

Why join us?

Shape the future of AI‑powered education for kids worldwide.

100% remote, flexible schedule (core hours GMT+3).

A small, highly skilled team where your decisions have direct impact.

A culture of ownership, trust, and learning — we want you to grow into a Tech Lead / Architect role.

Unlimited paid time off.

Competitive compensation, bonuses, and stock options — we succeed together.