Software Engineer, Backend

About the role

We’re looking for a Backend Engineer (Mid-Level) who thrives in a fast-paced, high-ownership startup environment. You’ll help design, build, and maintain the backend systems that power Tessera’s AI automation platform — including scalable APIs, data pipelines, and integrations with enterprise systems. This role is hands-on and ideal for someone who enjoys building distributed systems, solving challenging backend problems, and contributing to architectural discussions in a collaborative, fast-moving team.

Responsibilities

• Core Development
  • Design, develop, and maintain RESTful APIs and backend services using Python (FastAPI, SQLAlchemy).
  • Build reliable microservices that support data processing, automation, and AI system integrations.
  • Implement and optimize database schemas, queries, and caching for performance and scalability.
  • Contribute to data pipelines and synchronization services across enterprise integrations.
• AI & Systems Integration
  • Connect backend services with AI model servers, vector databases, and automation workflows.
  • Enable smooth data exchange between AI agents and enterprise systems like Salesforce, SAP, and Workday.
• Scalability & Reliability
  • Identify and fix performance bottlenecks in backend code and databases.
  • Implement caching, monitoring, and logging to ensure system reliability and observability.
  • Collaborate with DevOps to deploy and maintain cloud-based services on AWS or GCP.
• Security & Quality
  • Implement secure authentication and authorization (OAuth2, RBAC, SSO).
  • Follow best practices in code quality, testing, and documentation.
  • Participate in code reviews and contribute to improving backend architecture.
• Collaboration & Ownership
  • Work closely with frontend, AI, and product teams to deliver new features.
  • Take initiative in identifying improvements and building practical, scalable solutions.
  • Balance speed and long-term scalability in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of backend development experience with a focus on APIs, distributed systems, or cloud infrastructure.
• Proficient in Python, with experience using FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, or similar frameworks.
• Experience with PostgreSQL/MySQL and data modeling best practices.
• Familiarity with Redis, message queues (Kafka, RabbitMQ, Pub/Sub), and asynchronous processing.
• Experience with cloud storage solutions such as AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Azure Blob Storage.
• Understanding of API authentication, security, and scalability principles.
• Strong debugging, testing, and performance optimization skills.

Bonus Points

• Experience integrating AI/ML models into backend systems.
• Familiarity with event-driven architectures or workflow automation systems.
• Prior experience in startups or high-growth tech companies.

Pay

Compensation Range: $180K - $250K