Sr. Backend Engineer

Respondology; Boulder (CO); Remote; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A rapidly scaling startup in Boulder, CO is seeking a Senior Backend Software Engineer to develop innovative products and features. You will work with a dynamic team, solving complex engineering challenges and shaping the future of comment activation technology. The role involves backend development primarily on FastAPI/Python, collaborating with software and machine learning engineers. Respondology values a healthy work-life balance and offers a flexible work environment, comprehensive benefits, and a progressive culture.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Comprehensive benefits

Matching 401k

Flex PTO plan

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional software engineering experience.
• Minimum 4 years proven experience with Python backend development.
• Experience building, optimizing, and deploying large scale production systems.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a cross-functional team to architect, build and deploy backend systems.
• Backend development on FastAPI/Python microservices.
• Write and maintain automated tests to ensure high code quality.

Skills

Python

Communication

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

OpenSearch

Postgres

AWS

Ruby on Rails

Job description

Respondology is seeking a passionate Senior Backend Software Engineer to play a key role in building net new products and features on our platform. This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly scaling startup committed to leveraging technology for good by promoting positive social media interactions. In this role, you’ll be instrumental in architecting and developing new solutions from the ground up, shaping the future of our comment activation technology. If you're excited about building innovative products, solving complex engineering challenges, and working with a dynamic team, we’d love to hear from you!

Respondology is a Comment Activation Platform that instantly removes spam, bots, and brand-damaging comments while surfacing what audiences are talking about in 30-seconds or less at any scale for the world’s most well-known brands. This helps protect brands and communities on social media and gives marketers insights they need to improve their strategies using data directly from their comment sections. At Respondology, We Leverage Technology for Good.

Must be willing to travel to Boulder, CO approximately twice per year for on-site work with your team--and fun!

A Day in the Life

• Collaborate with a cross-functional team of software engineers and machine learning engineers to architect, build and deploy the backend systems and services that power our core products.
• Backend development, primarily on FastAPI/Python microservices running on ECS/Fargate, occasionally contributing to our Ruby on Rails API monolith
• Analyze and improve efficiency, scalability, and stability of various backend systems and databases, including OpenSearch and Postgres.
• Write and maintain automated tests to ensure high code quality across services.
• Participate in code reviews, sharing feedback and best practices with the team.

Here’s what you need to get our attention:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related degree - or equivalent work experience
• Minimum 5 years of professional software engineering experience
• Minimum 4 years proven experience with Python backend development
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience with OpenSearch or Elasticsearch
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience Postgres, or other relational databases
• Experience building, optimizing, and deploying large scale production systems (we process 100s of millions of comments per year)
• Ability to be flexible, learn new libraries, refactor existing code and dive into new areas of the codebase
• Proven strong communicator and team collaborator
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of projects, prioritize tasks, work independently, and deliver high-quality results within tight deadlines
• Motivated, resourceful and attentive; especially for remote work candidates

Here’s what will make us call you for sure:

• Significant experience with AWS, especially ECS/Fargate, SageMaker, OpenSearch, RDS, Redshift
• Experience with DevOps and infrastructure as code
• Experience with Ruby on Rails
• Experience with APM technologies (we use DataDog)
• Experience with queue-based background job processing technologies
• Familiarity with modern machine learning architectures and MLOps
• Familiarity with FastAPI and Pydantic
• Experience working at a rapidly-growing tech startup

Compensation DOE: $120,000 - $140,000 plus equity and bonus

And if we haven't convinced you yet, here is why you'll want to be part of our team:

• We have a values-led culture with team members who have your back.
• We support 100% remote employment or you may come into our beautiful offices if you’re near Boulder, CO—dogs welcome.
• We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance through providing flexible work arrangements, as well as a Flex PTO plan with generous holidays including a reduced schedule between Christmas and New Year’s.
• We offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to support employee and family well-being including generous family leave policies, life insurance and supplemental insurance options.
• We provide matching traditional and Roth 401k, fully vested from day one.

COME AS YOU ARE: your gender, your gods, your sex life, your skin color or your big shot uncle don't make a difference here. Respondology is a progressive and open-minded meritocracy. If you're smart and good at what you do, come as you are.