Senior Backend Engineer

ABOUT THE JOB: We are hiring a Senior Backend Engineer to help build and scale our customer-facing features and integration APIs. In this role, you will design and maintain backend systems using Python, Django, and PostgreSQL, with a focus on creating clean, scalable data models and well-structured APIs that support both internal functionality and third-party integrations. You will contribute to backend architecture decisions and help evolve existing systems by identifying areas for improvement that can be thoughtfully incorporated into longer-term technical roadmaps.You will partner closely with a predominantly front-end-focused team, collaborating with engineers, a product manager, and a designer to deliver high-quality features end to end. This role requires the ability to ramp up quickly, take ownership of backend systems, and operate with a high degree of independence. You’ll make pragmatic engineering tradeoffs that balance feature delivery with system quality and long-term maintainability. Preferred candidates have experience building and maintaining SaaS products, and are comfortable using AI tools to enhance developer productivity while retaining accountability for design, quality, and outcomes.RESPONSIBILITIES:Own backend execution for customer-facing features from technical design through production release.Translate product requirements into backend solutions that are durable, secure, scalable, and easy for frontend teams to consume.Act as a backend partner to a front-end-heavy team, proactively identifying gaps, risks, and backend considerations early in the development process.Evaluate existing systems and recommend incremental improvements without disrupting delivery timelines.Establish and uphold backend standards for code quality, API design, and data modeling.Diagnose and resolve production issues using logs, metrics, and tracing.Contribute backend perspectives to planning, estimation, and technical discussions.Mentor other engineers through code reviews and knowledge sharing.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:5+ years of professional backend engineering experience.Proficiency in Python for building production-grade backend services.Strong experience with Django, including REST API development, middleware, and ORM usage.Solid understanding of PostgreSQL, including schema design, migrations, indexing strategies, and query performance.Robust experience designing and maintaining RESTful APIs.Comfortable working within legacy codebases and making safe, incremental improvements.Understanding of backend architecture fundamentals such as request lifecycles, concurrency, caching, and error handling.Ability to debug and troubleshoot production systems using logs, metrics, and basic observability tools.Strong written and verbal communication skills.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:A strong understanding of scalable backend architecture and distributed system design that support both web applications and native mobile applications (iOS and Android).Experience building and maintaining SaaS products and/or third-party integrations.Demonstrated ability to evaluate and communicate architectural tradeoffs and apply sound judgment when evolving or extending legacy systems. Familiarity with API documentation standards (e.g., OpenAPI / Swagger).Knowledgeable in authentication and authorization, including SAML SSO integrations.Comfortable using AI tools to enhance developer productivity while retaining accountability for design, quality, and outcomes.Familiarity with agile development workflows and tooling (e.g., Jira).WITHIN 3 MONTHS YOU WILL:Develop familiarity with the product, customer use cases, and integrations.Learn the existing backend architecture, data models, APIs, and infrastructure.Contribute to small bug fixes and minor feature enhancements.Learn and follow established development, deployment, and operational workflows.Build strong working relationships with engineers, product management, and other stakeholders.Begin identifying areas of technical debt and system constraints.Contribute to scoping, refining, and estimating upcoming product initiatives.WITHIN 6 MONTHS YOU WILL:Own backend delivery for customer-facing features from design through production.Independently maintain and improve existing backend systems.Participate actively in architectural discussions, offering thoughtful tradeoffs and recommendations.Document technical decisions, system constraints, and improvement opportunities.Use production signals and observability tools to inform performance and reliability improvements.WITHIN 12 MONTHS YOU WILL:Operate as a senior technical owner within the backend domain.Clearly articulate and document architectural tradeoffs to both technical and non-technical stakeholdersDefine and communicate a technical roadmap to address legacy technical debt incrementally.Balance long-term system improvements with ongoing feature delivery without disrupting velocity.Advocate for improvements to code quality, tooling, and engineering processes in a collaborative manner.ABOUT YOU:5+ years of experience working as a backend developer.A strong communicator, who can clearly explain technical concepts and tradeoffs to teammates and stakeholders.A technical leader who elevates code quality and processes through mentorship, collaboration, and example.Values shared ownership, and works effectively across engineering, product, and QA.Pragmatic and able to balance ideal solutions with real-world constraints, timelines, and risk.A strong sense of responsibility for systems from design through long-term maintenance.Willing to guide, support, and elevate other engineers while remaining open to feedback and mentorship from peers.Brings a low-ego mindset and contributes to a respectful, inclusive team environment.A continual learner who adjusts to change, and operates autonomously when needed.Comfortable working with teammates across Eastern and Pacific timezones.PERKS100% paid benefits: medical, dental, and vision.Short term and long term disability.Unlimited vacation time.401k program with matching benefits.Stock options.A company culture built on balance, community, and shared success.MacBook and accessories for comfortable remote work.Awesome annual retreats.EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:At Guidebook, we're committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for everyone – and we know that's best achieved, in part, with a diverse workforce. We're working on increasing diversity across the company. If you're looking to join a team that is smart, highly motivated, and also values work/life balance, we can't wait to hear how you can add to our growing cultureWe are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.COMPENSATION:A competitive salary of $120,000-160,000, depending on relevant experience.