Principal Backend Engineer

Role Description

As a Principal Software Engineer on the Conversational AI team at Trellis, you’ll play a critical role in shaping the future of our AI-driven customer experiences. You’ll architect and build intelligent systems that power natural, engaging conversations between users and our platform. Working closely with cross-functional partners, you’ll transform high-level product initiatives into scalable, well-tested technical solutions.

You’ll lead the way on complex projects by:

• Defining scope and setting technical direction.
• Mentoring teammates.
• Guiding the team through tough challenges.
• Offering thoughtful code reviews.
• Contributing to a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
• Onboarding new teammates and refining our LLM-driven infrastructure.

You will report directly to John Hartley, Head of Conversational AI Engineering.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience developing software in a production environment.
• 2+ years’ experience in a senior engineer role.
• Production experience with Node.js and Typescript.
• Proven experience working in backend systems, designing RESTful APIs and codifying business logic on top of data stores.
• Exceptional ability to communicate clearly and concisely, particularly in Slack and technical documents.
• Experience in product development where you were a key decision maker.
• Deep expertise in system architecture and design.
• Proven success in operational excellence.
• Cross-functional leadership and collaboration experience.
• Familiarity with cloud environments, especially the Google Cloud stack.

Requirements

• Meticulous: You pay attention to detail and take pride in what you deliver.
• Articulate: You succinctly and effectively communicate verbal and written technical and non-technical ideas and topics.
• Kind, not (just) nice: You provide tough feedback in a clear and concise manner that does not diminish or belittle the recipient.
• Opinionated: You bring strong opinions to discussions but are willing to change your mind when presented with new or better information.
• Product-minded: You focus on the “why” just as much as the “what” or “how.”
• Collaborative: You work within your team and cross-functionally to build consensus and achieve results.
• Autonomous: You are self-motivated, able to hold yourself accountable, and can generate high-value work with little direct supervision.

Benefits

• Flexible vacation (yes, actually flexible).
• Health insurance starts day one.
• Wellness programming, because balance matters.
• 401(k) and HSA contributions, FSAs, bonuses & equity opportunities.
• Paid parental leave.