Staff Software Engineer, Backend

Insider, Inc.; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Insider, Inc. in San Jose, California, seeks an experienced Staff Backend Software Engineer to lead the design and development of backend systems for aviation products. This role requires extensive expertise in Python and AWS, focused on building scalable services for ride-sharing and airlines.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years of experience, a relevant degree, and strong skills in system integrations and performance tuning. Join a diverse team dedicated to sustainable air mobility.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of backend software engineering experience with scalable systems.
• Expert-level proficiency in Python and strong AWS experience.
• Excellent debugging and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend systems and APIs.
• Lead architectural design and system integrations for secure systems.
• Conduct code reviews and mentor fellow engineers.

Skills

Python for backend application development

AWS technologies

Infrastructure-as-code tools

RESTful API design

Performance tuning

Education

BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Terraform

AWS CDK

Job description

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.

Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Staff Backend Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and scaling of backend systems for Archer’s aviation products. This role is central to building the cloud infrastructure and service architecture that powers our modern aviation platform.

You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams across engineering, data, operations, and aerospace to deliver secure, performant, and reliable backend services.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend systems and APIs to support Archer’s ride‑sharing and airline operational platforms.
• Build cloud‑native applications and services using Python and AWS technologies.
• Lead architectural design and system integrations, ensuring systems are modular, efficient, and secure.
• Develop infrastructure-as-code using Terraform or AWS CDK to provision and manage backend environments.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define technical requirements and translate them into robust implementations.
• Own the full development lifecycle—from design and development to deployment, monitoring, and maintenance.
• Conduct code reviews, enforce engineering best practices, and mentor fellow engineers.
• Monitor system performance and reliability, and respond to production issues with effective debugging and root cause analysis.

What You Need

• Small but mighty, 0 to 1 builder mentality.
• BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• 7+ years of backend software engineering experience, with a proven track record of delivering scalable backend systems.
• Expert‑level proficiency in Python for backend application development.
• Strong experience with AWS, including services such as Lambda, API Gateway, S3, DynamoDB, ECS/Fargate, etc.
• Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform or AWS CDK.
• Deep understanding of RESTful API design, microservices architecture, and distributed systems.
• Experience with performance tuning, system monitoring, and observability tools.
• Excellent debugging, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non‑technical stakeholders.

Bonus Qualifications

• 9+ years of experience as a backend engineer, with demonstrated leadership in complex system design.
• Experience with data modeling and working with SQL and NoSQL databases (e.g., Postgres, DynamoDB).
• Background in high‑availability, real‑time systems or event‑driven architectures.
• Prior experience in aerospace, transportation, or rideshare industries.

Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and container orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer’s People Team at [e-mail]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.

Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to [e-mail]. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.