Principal Backend Engineer (Node.JS, AWS)

Yahoo serves as a trusted guide for hundreds of millions of people globally, helping them achieve their goals online through our portfolio of iconic products. As a Principal Backend Software Engineer specialized in Node.js and AWS, you will lead the architectural evolution of Yahoo Search's infrastructure and ensure the development of scalable, AI-augmented applications.

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
• 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