Staff Platform/Backend Engineer

Narrato; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Typeface in Palo Alto, CA is seeking a Senior Platform/Backend Engineer to design and scale the backend systems powering our AI-driven marketing platform. You will shape distributed services, API design, and cloud infra for high availability and security.

This hybrid role requires 10+ years in backend or platform engineering, expertise in Python/Go/Java/Rust, and experience with Docker, Kubernetes and AWS/GCP/Azure. Collaboration with product and AI teams is essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of backend or platform engineering experience.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in CS, Engineering, or a related field.
• Deep expertise in at least one backend language (Python, Go, Java, Rust) and cloud platforms.
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and distributed systems.
• Ability to work in a hybrid Palo Alto environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate distributed backend systems and scalable APIs.
• Architect infrastructure to support AI/LLM workloads — model serving and data pipelines.
• Improve reliability, performance, and security across production services.
• Own cloud infrastructure decisions and observability practices.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and AI/ML teams to translate requirements.
• Identify bottlenecks to optimize latency, throughput, and cost.
• Mentor and support junior engineers.

Skills

Backend engineering

Distributed systems

API design

Team collaboration

B2B / enterprise SaaS

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

About Typeface

We help the world’s biggest brands move from brief to fully personalized campaigns — in days, not months.

Founded by Abhay Parasnis and backed by Microsoft, GV, Salesforce, Lightspeed, Madrona and Menlo, we’re building category-defining technology at the intersection of creativity and AI with real impact. Join us to help shape the future of enterprise marketing.

What You'll Do

We're looking for a Senior Platform/Backend Engineer to build and scale the foundational systems that power our platform. You'll architect and deliver the backend infrastructure that enables enterprise marketers to turn ideas into fully personalized campaigns — fast, reliable, and secure.

This is your chance to shape the backbone of an AI-native platform — designing distributed systems and services that make creativity at scale possible.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Design, build, and operate distributed backend systems and scalable APIs that serve as the foundation of our platform
• Architect and evolve infrastructure to support AI/LLM workloads — including model serving, orchestration, and data pipelines
• Drive reliability, performance, and security across production services, ensuring enterprise-grade uptime and data protection
• Own cloud infrastructure decisions and implement best practices for deployment, observability, and incident response
• Collaborate closely with Product, Engineering, and AI/ML partners to translate product requirements into robust technical solutions
• Identify and resolve bottlenecks across the stack, optimizing for latency, throughput, and cost efficiency
• Mentor and support junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and knowledge sharing

What You Bring

• 10+ years of backend or platform engineering experience, with a strong track record of designing and shipping scalable, production-grade systems
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• Deep expertise in at least one backend language (e.g., Python, Go, Java, Rust) and experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
• Strong understanding of distributed systems, microservices architecture, and API design
• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Solid grasp of database technologies — both relational and NoSQL — and data modeling at scale
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to thrive independently and in collaborative teams
• Experience building for B2B or enterprise SaaS products
• Bonus: Hands-on experience with AI/ML infrastructure, LLM serving, or generative AI systems

Location

This is a hybrid role based in Palo Alto, CA. We collaborate in-office 3 days a week.

Base Salary

The range for this role is $210,000-$240,000 plus equity. Actual compensation may vary based on level, experience, and skillset as assessed in the interview process.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation — including salary, equity, and 401(k)
• Full medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family
• HSA and FSA options to support your financial wellness
• Flexible time off — including parental leave
• Well-being programs — resources to support your mental and physical health
• Daily lunch & snacks
• Mentorship & impact — work closely with top AI leaders on products that ship

Equality Opportunity Statement

We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We comply with applicable laws in every jurisdiction where we operate.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Build something big — Be part of a fast-growing startup defining a new category: marketing orchestration powered by Agentic AI.
• Your work will matter — Trusted by Fortune 100 companies, our platform delivers 10x content velocity and 90% faster campaigns.
• A+ team — Collaborate with veterans from Meta, Amazon, Adobe, Google, Microsoft, and top AI companies.
• Backed by the best — GV, Salesforce Ventures, Microsoft, Lightspeed, Madrona and Menlo ($165M raised).
• Recognized for innovation — TIME Best Inventions, Fast Company Next Big Thing in Tech, Gartner Cool Vendor, Adweek AI Company of the Year, LinkedIn Top Startup, Webby Award (AI Work & Productivity).