Staff Software Engineer, Technical Lead - Backend

SmartNews; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartNews is seeking a Technical Lead - Backend to oversee the design and implementation of backend systems critical for supporting millions of users. This position involves leading a team of engineers, upholding engineering excellence, and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance the user experience through innovative technologies.

Benefits

401(k) with employer matching

Up to 100% medical, dental, and vision insurance

Complimentary lunch, snacks, and beverages

Qualifications

• 7+ years of backend development experience.
• Proficient in Typescript and Node.js.
• Strong experience with AWS, PostgreSQL/MySQL, Redis, and Kafka.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems and performance optimization.
• Excellent communication and ownership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of scalable backend services.
• Ensure high standards of quality and maintainability through code reviews.
• Collaborate with AI/ML teams and product managers to deliver features.
• Drive best practices in backend development and reliability.

Skills

Backend development

Typescript

Node.js

AWS

API design

Distributed systems

Performance optimization

Communication

Tools

PostgreSQL

MySQL

Redis

Kafka

HoneyComb

Datadog

Prometheus

Kubernetes

Job description

About SmartNews

At SmartNews, we are building the future of news — a future where delivering quality information enriches and informs. We do this while working with partners and supporting a sustainable news ecosystem through mutually beneficial publishing partner relationships. The Technology team is responsible for frontend and backend engineering, design, product, infrastructure, advertising, AI, safety, and observability. We are responsible for delivering experiences that help SmartNews live up to its name. Our product teams deliver our experience to customers on iOS, Android, and the Web.

The Role

As a Technical Lead - Backend at SmartNews, you will play a critical role in designing and implementing our backend systems to support millions of users, incorporating cutting-edge AI/ML experiences, and upholding engineering excellence. You’ll lead a group of passionate and talented backend engineers to improve, transform, and grow the news experience for millions of people around the world in line with our mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable, high-performance backend services that power core SmartNews user experiences.
• Lead engineers through hands-on implementation, system design decisions and code reviews, ensuring high standards of quality and maintainability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with AI/ML teams, product managers, designers, and frontend teams to ship features that delight our users and support our internal operations through admin tools.
• Drive best practices in backend development, observability, and reliability, foster a culture of ownership and rapid iteration.
• Work closely with EM to define the technical roadmap and long-term vision for the team in alignment with the company mission.
• 3 days a week in office.

Minimum requirements

• 7+ years of building products, highly experienced in backend.
• Experience working in Typescript and Node.js.

• Strong hands-on experience with AWS, PostgreSQL/MySQL, Redis, and Kafka, or similar technologies. Posses a deep understanding of API and service design as well as software architecture.
• Deep knowledge of distributed systems, performance optimization, and scalability patterns with a proven track record of building reliable backend systems in a large-scale production environment.
• Familiarity with observability tools, CI/CD pipelines and cloud-native deployments(e.g. HoneyComb, Datadog, Prometheus, Kubernetes).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders in a cross-cultural, international team environment.
• Strong sense of ownership, product mindset, and user-centric thinking.

Nice to have experiences/skills

• Experience building products that leverage AI, ML, ranking, and/or LLM-based technologies
• Experience with React or React Native for frontend development
• Demonstrated interests or experience in news or journalism
• Experience working in an international and multilingual environment

Benefits available at the SmartNews US Office

• Compensation range: $200,000 to $270,000 USD base salary, plus bonus and equity
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Up to 100% medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family
• Benefit plan with monthly allowances
• Complimentary lunch, snacks, and beverages in the office

Click here or visit our careers site for more info about our benefits.