Staff Backend Engineer

Staff Backend EngineerLos Angeles, CAAbout Arena ClubIf you're fascinated by sports cards and memorabilia, your search ends here. Arena Club is pioneering the collectibles domain by introducing the first-ever digital card show. Spearheaded by 5x World Series Champion Derek Jeter and serial entrepreneur Brian Lee, Arena Club has developed a fully digital marketplace. This innovative platform is built on trust, transparency, and fun, featuring grading & authentication, vaulting, and digital pack openings for collectors to build and showcase their collections in a personalized online showroom from anywhere in the world.About the RoleJoin our fast-growing startup as a Staff Backend Engineer and help scale the backbone of our platform and expand into new product categories. We are a dynamic, high-growth company where your work will have a direct impact on product success and scalability. This position is in-office, fostering a fun and collaborative environment, with flexibility for a hybrid arrangement to accommodate personal needs as they arise.What You'll DoDesign, build, and maintain scalable backend applications and APIs using Node.js, TypeScript, and PostgresLeverage AI-powered coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Tabnine) to improve development speed, code quality, and system reliabilityArchitect and optimize systems for high scalability and performance as the business rapidly expandsImplement third-party integrations and external APIs to enhance the platform's capabilitiesDevelop and maintain internal tools that support fulfillment operations, internal workflows, and machine learning initiativesSet backend engineering standards and guide architectural decisions to ensure long-term scalability, performance, and reliabilityProvide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers, shaping the culture and velocity of a growing teamCollaborate cross-functionally with product, data, and frontend teams to ship high-impact features quicklyEnsure backend systems are secure, well-documented, and thoroughly testedRequirements8+ years of experience as a professional backend engineerStrong proficiency in Node.js, TypeScript, and PostgresProven experience building and scaling eCommerce or online marketplace platformsPassion for using the latest AI coding tools and AI-driven best practices to enhance development workflowsDeep understanding of cloud platforms (AWS) and containerization/infrastructure-as-code tools (Docker, Terraform)Experience setting engineering best practices, making architectural decisions, and influencing technical direction across teamsAbility to move fast and iterate quickly in a startup environment while maintaining high code qualityExcellent problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate technical trade-offs effectivelyTech StackLanguages & Frameworks: TypeScript, Node.js, PythonDatabase: PostgresCloud & Infrastructure: AWS (S3, SQS, etc.) and/or GCP, Docker, TerraformAI Development Tools: AI-powered coding assistants (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), LLM-based development enhancementsThe Arena Club StandardLife at Arena Club isn't for the faint of heart, and that's by design. We're building products and experiences the collectibles world has never seen. This is a proving ground. It demands your best every single day, because anything less means you're falling behind.From day one, you're in the game. Trusted to deliver, expected to own outcomes, and driven to raise the bar higher than you thought possible. We don't just execute — we innovate, compete, and win together.If you want routine or predictability, you won't find it here. But if you're ambitious, relentless, and hungry to prove yourself on a team built to dominate, step into the arena. You'll discover growth and reward here, unlike anywhere else.The base salary range listed is a guideline. Actual compensation is determined based on skills, experience, and the impact you bring. Total compensation includes base salary, bonus, and equity.Salary Range$20,000 - $230,000 USD