Senior Backend Internal Tools Software Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Backend Internal Tools Software Engineer
Location: Los Angeles / Santa Monica, California
Work Arrangement: Hybrid preferred; remote flexibility depending on location
Employment Type: Full-Time

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Senior Software Engineer, Backend – Internal Tools to help build a next-generation internal tools platform. This platform will unify multiple legacy systems into a modern foundation, with an emphasis on high-performance middleware, backend services, APIs, and scalable data architecture.

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who enjoys building new software from the ground up rather than primarily maintaining existing systems. You will help shape the architecture, design APIs and services, optimize relational data models, and collaborate with teams across the business.

The team operates horizontally across multiple business areas, supporting both Publisher and Merchant teams. Strong communication, ownership, and cross-functional collaboration are essential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Backend Development

• Design, develop, test, and maintain scalable backend systems.

• Build APIs, microservices, middleware, and server-side components.

• Develop new platform capabilities from the ground up.

• Create backend services that support internal tools and AI-related use cases.

• Help consolidate legacy tools and systems into a unified platform.

2. Architecture and System Design

• Contribute to backend architecture and technical design decisions.

• Build reliable, scalable, maintainable, and high-performance services.

• Apply software design patterns and distributed-systems principles.

• Evaluate technologies, frameworks, and tools to improve the platform.

• Take ownership of technical implementation and production-quality deliverables.

3. API Development

• Design and implement RESTful APIs following established best practices.

• Develop APIs that integrate multiple internal tools and business systems.

• Build services capable of supporting emerging AI-powered applications.

• Consider performance, security, reliability, maintainability, and data consistency.

4. Database Design and Optimization

• Design and optimize relational database schemas.

• Write efficient SQL queries and improve database performance.

• Maintain data integrity and consistency across platform services.

• Work with databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.

• Support integrations with NoSQL databases or analytical warehouses when required.

5. AI-Assisted Software Development

• Use AI-assisted coding tools as part of the regular development workflow.

• Apply tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or Cursor for code generation, refactoring, testing, and debugging.

• Critically review AI-generated code for correctness, security, and maintainability.

• Take full ownership of code quality and all software delivered.

• Contribute to AI-powered internal tooling or LLM-based application integrations where appropriate.

6. Testing and Code Quality

• Write maintainable, well-tested code.

• Participate in code reviews and technical discussions.

• Document design decisions and implementation details.

• Identify and resolve complex technical issues.

• Continuously refactor and improve the codebase.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with product managers, designers, and engineers to define and deliver features.

• Work across teams supporting Publisher and Merchant business functions.

• Integrate tools, platforms, and systems across the organization.

• Communicate technical concepts clearly to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

• Contribute effectively in an Agile development environment.

8. Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with backend engineering practices and emerging technologies.

• Evaluate new tools, frameworks, libraries, and AI development solutions.

• Recommend improvements that increase engineering productivity and platform performance.

Required Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in Java .

• Hands-on experience with Spring Boot .

• Strong experience with RESTful API design and development .

• Experience designing and maintaining backend services, microservices, and distributed systems.

• Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and system design.

• Experience with relational databases, including schema design, SQL query optimization, and data integrity.

• Practical, hands-on experience using AI coding tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or Cursor.

• Ability to review AI-generated code critically and take ownership of the resulting implementation.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

• Experience working with Agile methodologies.

• A professional LinkedIn profile is required.

• Availability to work within the Pacific Time zone.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Python, Node.js, Go, or additional programming languages.

• Experience with MySQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL databases, or BigQuery.

• Experience integrating LLM APIs into applications.

• Experience building internal AI-powered tools.

• Experience developing new platforms and consolidating legacy systems.

• Experience with internal tools, middleware, and cross-platform integrations.

• Experience supporting multiple business teams through shared backend services.

• A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on backend engineer who:

• Has built new software systems and services from the ground up.

• Is proficient in Java and Spring Boot.

• Has strong REST API development and backend architecture experience.

• Understands relational database design and performance optimization.

• Uses AI coding assistants productively while independently validating code quality and safety.

• Can integrate multiple systems and work across teams and platforms.

• Communicates clearly and works effectively with cross-functional stakeholders.

• Is comfortable contributing to a shared internal platform supporting Publisher and Merchant teams.

• Works within the Pacific Time zone, preferably near Los Angeles.

• Maintains a professional LinkedIn profile.