Principal Backend Engineer (Node.JS, AWS)

About Us

Yahoo Search is one of the most highly scaled applications on the planet. We hire world-class engineers to support our ambitious product and platform goals. Our engineers work in a highly collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on technical excellence and innovation. We are currently reimagining the future of Search, reinventing how users find information and accomplish their goals through AI-augmented experiences.

About The Role

As a Principal Backend Software Engineer specialized in Node.js and AWS, you will be the technical authority for architecture-level solutions within the Search organization. You will take charge of the technical direction for full-stack applications, moving beyond simple execution to strategic oversight. You will lead functional teams through complex resource requirements and high-risk technical challenges, ensuring that our systems are not only scalable but also optimized through modern AI-driven development practices. You are a builder and an architect who views AI as a force multiplier for engineering impact and architectural integrity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural strategy and delivery of high-scale full-stack applications, ensuring alignment with business goals, security standards, and global regulatory requirements.
• Architect and implement AI-augmented development workflows, utilizing tools like GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer to improve team velocity and code quality.
• Identify and implement AI-driven efficiencies in the backend lifecycle, replacing repetitive infrastructure tasks with automated, intelligent workflows.
• Define and implement scalable, robust, and maintainable application architectures that support the integration of LLMs and generative discovery features.
• Provide technical oversight across multiple squads, performing high-level architectural reviews to ensure performance, security, and long-term sustainability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in automation and tooling, leveraging generative AI to accelerate technical documentation and system design processes.
• Act as a technical mentor and coach, fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous learning in an AI-augmented environment.
• Communicate complex architectural decisions effectively to senior management, ensuring technical strategy aligns with the broader Search business roadmap.

Requirements

• 7+ years of hands-on, professional software development experience with expertise in Node.js and AWS.
• Proven experience utilizing AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or CodeWhisperer) to optimize development cycles and validate complex logic.
• 5+ years of industry experience working with large-scale distributed systems and high-traffic environments.
• Expertise in AWS cloud services (Lambda, EC2, S3) and infrastructure-as-code.
• Strong experience with GraphQL, REST, and the design of maintainable, high-concurrency APIs.
• Hands-on experience with MySQL and PostgreSQL database technologies, including performance tuning and schema optimization.
• Proficiency in frontend frameworks (React or Vue) to support full-stack delivery goals.
• Secondary proficiency in C++ and Python for cross-functional system integration.
• Commitment to staying current on emerging AI tools and proactively suggesting improvements to the engineering tech stack.
• BS in Computer Science, or equivalent degree/experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with big data technologies and real-time data processing.
• Experience in prompt engineering or structured interaction with AI models to generate and validate system diagnostics.
• Background in performance optimization and scalability planning for global-scale consumer products.
• Experience leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives, specifically cloud modernization.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare benefits.
• 401k plan.
• Backup childcare.
• Education stipends.
• Discretionary annual bonus or commissions.
• Flexible hybrid work options.

Pay

The compensation for this position ranges from $143,625.00 - $299,375.00/yr and will vary depending on factors such as your location, skills, and experience.