Software Engineer, Backend

AI Chopping Block; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401K with employer match

Commuter Benefits

Catered lunch

Dinner stipend every night if you're (

Job summary

Mirage is seeking a backend engineer in NYC to design, build, and own backend systems end-to-end, collaborating with product, platform, and ML teams to deliver reliable, scalable production services in a fast-paced environment.

This role focuses on distributed systems, API design, data pipelines, and integrating large generative AI models. You’ll turn ambitious ideas into robust systems that power Mirage’s products, with opportunities to influence product outcomes and user experiences.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional industry experience.
• Track record of shipping high-impact backend systems in production.
• Excellent problem solving and learning ability.
• Strong engineering judgment and time management.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced startup environment end-to-end.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and own backend systems end-to-end (services, APIs, data pipelines).
• Solve complex distributed systems challenges at scale.
• Integrate and operate large generative AI models in production.
• Instrument and iterate to improve system and product quality.
• Manage core platform infrastructure and integrations with providers.

Skills

Backend

Distributed systems

APIs

Data pipelines

Performance

LLMs

Job description

Mirage is an AI-native video platform that intelligently orchestrates production and editing through natural language. Our models leverage contextual awareness to execute the same creative decisions a professional editor would — dramatically improving productivity for experienced teams, while making video creation accessible to anyone.
We’re an interdisciplinary team addressing some of the most difficult technical and creative challenges in generative media. As an early member of our team, you’ll tackle foundational problems that remain largely unsolved across the industry, driving an outsized impact on the future of creative expression.

More about us

Product (Captions by Mirage)

Research (Our Models and Agents)

Updates (Mirage on X / twitter)

TechCrunch, Forbes AI 50, Fast Company (press)

Our Investors

We’re very fortunate to have some the best investors and entrepreneurs backing us, including Index Ventures, Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, Uncommon Projects, Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger, Lenny Rachitsky, Antoine Martin, Julie Zhuo, Ben Rubin, Jaren Glover, SVAngel, 20VC, Ludlow Ventures, Chapter One, and more.

Please note that all of our roles will require you to be in-person at our NYC HQ (located in Union Square)

About the role
Backend engineering at Mirage isn’t narrowly defined. We work across product, platform, and machine learning—building the systems, services, APIs, and ML pipelines that power all of our product surfaces.

You’ll own critical backend systems end-to-end, partnering closely with product, design, client, and AI teams to turn ambitious ideas into reliable, scalable production systems. This opportunity is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving complex technical problems while staying connected to product and user outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and own backend systems end-to-end, including services, APIs, data pipelines, and infrastructure that power our products

• Solve complex technical challenges across distributed systems, scaling, concurrency, and performance

• Integrate and operate large generative AI models in production—deploying, serving, and scaling systems that combine internal research and external capabilities to unlock new product experiences.

• Instrument, experiment, and iterate in production to continuously improve system and product quality

• Design and operate core platform infrastructure, including integrations with third-party providers, storage systems, security, and internal APIs

What Makes You a Great Fit

• 2+ years of professional industry experience

• A track record of shipping high-impact systems and/or products in production

• Exceptional problem solving fundamentals and ability to learn

• Excellent engineering taste combined with a strong sense of practicality and time-management

• Able to operate effectively in an extremely fast-paced environment as well as scope and deliver projects end-to-end

Even better if...

• You have worked extensively with LLMs, generative media models, and have a pulse on where the technology is going

• You are grounded, collaborative, and willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win

• You have been a startup founder or an early engineer at one

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

• 401K with employer match

• Commuter Benefits

• Catered lunch multiple days per week

• Dinner stipend every night if you're working late and want a bite!

• Grubhub subscription

• Health & Wellness Perks

• Multiple team offsites per year with team events every month

• Generous PTO policy

Captions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Please note benefits apply to full time employees only.