Senior Software Engineer - Backend (Core Services)

Read AI; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Flexible time away

Health plans

Family leave programs

Job summary

A leading software company in Seattle is seeking a Senior Software Engineer - Backend to join their team. This role involves designing, building, and maintaining backend systems crucial for their AI-driven platform. Candidates should have over 10 years of experience, strong skills in Python and API design, and a passion for innovation. The salary range is competitive at $190,000 - $200,000, complemented by equity and various benefits including health plans and flexible leave options.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in backend software engineering.
• Proficiency in Python or similar languages.
• Deep understanding of API design and security best practices.
• Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code and DevOps practices.
• Excellent communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Strong sense of ownership and passion for continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs.
• Design and implement enterprise-grade features for data ingestion and integrations.
• Own the full software development lifecycle.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions.
• Drive technical excellence through code reviews and mentorship.
• Participate in on-call rotations for operational excellence.

Skills

Backend software engineering

Python

API design

Cloud-native systems (AWS)

CI/CD

Communication skills

Containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)

Tools

Terraform

Job description

Senior Software Engineer - Backend (Core Services)

Read AI is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join our Backend team. As a senior contributor, you will play a key role in designing, building, and scaling backend systems that power our AI‑driven productivity platform and directly impact millions of users in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs, primarily using Python (FastAPI), SQLAlchemy, and AWS infrastructure.
• Design and implement features for data ingestion, third‑party integrations (e.g., Slack, HubSpot, Notion), authentication/authorization, and enterprise‑grade security and compliance.
• Own the full software development lifecycle: requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and monitoring.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, frontend engineers, and data scientists to deliver innovative solutions.
• Drive technical excellence through code reviews, mentorship, and best practices in software engineering.
• Participate in on‑call rotations and contribute to operational excellence, reliability, and observability of backend systems.
• Continuously improve system performance, scalability, and reliability to support rapid user and data growth.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation, ownership, and customer‑centricity.

Requirements

• 10+ years of professional experience in backend software engineering, with a strong track record of shipping production systems.
• Proficiency in Python (or similar languages such as Java, C++, or Node.js) and experience designing and building distributed, cloud‑native systems (preferably on AWS).
• Deep understanding of API design, authentication/authorization protocols (OAuth2, JWT), and security best practices.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, infrastructure‑as‑code (Terraform), and modern DevOps practices.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Strong sense of ownership, curiosity, and a passion for innovation and continuous learning.
• Experience working in a startup or fast‑paced environment is highly valued.
• Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus.

Why Read AI?

• Innovative: We bring AI to the masses with proactive technology that acts as the ultimate AI assistant.
• Massive Impact: AI’s greatest impact lies in helping people do more by eliminating mundane tasks and guiding them to the next best action.
• Growth Opportunities: Read AI is the fastest‑growing AI‑copilot and meeting notetaker in history, adding more than 1 MM new customers every month.
• Leadership: Learn more about our CEO and Co‑Founder David Shim, the CTO and Co‑Founder Rob Williams, and the VP of Data Science Elliott Waldron through various reports and briefings.
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive and collaborative environment with a diverse and talented team.

Software Engineer positions offer a base pay range of $190,000 - $200,000, plus equity and benefits. Please note that the base pay shown is a guideline, and individual total compensation will vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies, and work location. We also offer low deductible health plans, as well as flexible time away and family leave programs.

Please note our company does not provide visa support or sponsorship for employees.