Senior Backend Engineer: Scale High-Traffic APIs & Growth

Duolingo; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 183,000 - 247,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Job summary

Duolingo is seeking backend engineers to build and operate reliable, scalable systems. You’ll own design through production, ship features, and collaborate with product design and backend teams.

Proficiency in Java, Python or Kotlin and strong data structures are expected, along with experience with databases and cloud APIs. Bonus points for experience with observability tools (OpenTelemetry, Grafana, Prometheus, DataDog) and building high‑traffic APIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS or related field.
• Strong data structures, algorithms and software design.
• Experience with Java, Python or Kotlin.
• Solid knowledge of databases.
• Experience building high-traffic APIs on public clouds.
• Familiarity with OpenTelemetry, Grafana, Prometheus or DataDog.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on software projects with product design and backend aspects.
• Develop, release, and maintain backend services and/or infrastructure.
• Lead individual project priorities, milestones, and ensure we’re always shipping.

Skills

Data structures

Algorithms

Software design

Java

Python

Kotlin

Databases

High-traffic APIs

Observability tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Job description

Duolingo is seeking backend engineers to build and operate reliable, scalable systems. You’ll own design through production, ship features, and collaborate with product design and backend teams.

Proficiency in Java, Python or Kotlin and strong data structures are expected, along with experience with databases and cloud APIs. Bonus points for experience with observability tools (OpenTelemetry, Grafana, Prometheus, DataDog) and building high‑traffic APIs.