Backend Software Team Lead

Role Description

We are seeking a Backend Team Lead to lead the development of scalable, high-performance backend systems that power our autonomous platforms.

• Manage and grow a team of backend engineers.
• Set technical direction and own the reliability, security, and performance of the team's backend services.
• Partner closely with the Backend Tech Lead on architecture and execution while staying technically engaged.
• Work closely with Frontend, Platform, Autonomy, and Embedded teams to deliver systems that operate reliably in real-world, mission-critical environments.

What You'll Do

• Technical Leadership & Team Ownership
  • Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers, driving execution and technical excellence.
  • Own people management for the team, including hiring, performance reviews, career development, coaching, and regular 1:1s.
  • Set engineering standards and guide architectural direction in partnership with the Backend Tech Lead.
  • Own the backend roadmap and delivery in partnership with Product and Engineering Leadership.
  • Foster a culture of ownership, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Backend Architecture & Development
  • Design, build, and maintain scalable, highly concurrent backend services in Go.
  • Partner with the Backend Tech Lead to architect distributed systems that support high throughput, reliability, and real-time operations.
  • Define service boundaries, APIs, and data models across backend systems.
• System Performance & Reliability
  • Optimize backend systems for performance, scalability, and resilience.
  • Identify and resolve bottlenecks in distributed systems and concurrency-heavy workloads.
  • Ensure systems meet high standards for uptime and operational reliability.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Frontend, Platform, Autonomy, and Embedded teams to integrate services across applications and devices.
  • Support end-to-end system design from edge devices to cloud infrastructure.
  • Contribute to system-level architecture across the technology stack.
• Security & Best Practices
  • Enforce secure development practices across backend systems.
  • Maintain high standards for code quality, testing, and documentation.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in backend or distributed systems engineering.
• Strong expertise in Go and building highly concurrent systems.
• Proven people management experience, including directly managing, developing, and reviewing engineers.
• Experience designing and operating distributed systems at scale.
• Strong API design and system architecture skills.
• Experience with Kubernetes and containerized environments.
• Deep understanding of performance optimization, data structures, and system design.
• Ability to drive projects from concept to production.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance, if required.

Nice to Have

• Experience in IoT, robotics, or distributed hardware systems.
• Strong networking fundamentals and debugging experience.
• Experience with AWS or other cloud-based infrastructure.
• Familiarity with embedded systems or hardware integration.

What Success Looks Like (12 Months)

• A high-performing backend team delivering reliably and consistently.
• Scalable backend systems supporting real-world deployments.
• Clear architectural standards and well-defined service boundaries.
• Improved system performance, reliability, and maintainability.
• Strong cross-functional alignment across Platform, Autonomy, and Product teams.

Location

Remote within the United States.

Benefits

• 100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families.
• Life Insurance (Employer Paid).
• Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching).
• Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum.
• Equity Package.
• Work / Home Office Stipend.
• Global Entry.
• 16 Week Paid Parental Leave.
• Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend.