Senior Software Backend Engineer

SmartCommerce is looking for a Senior Software Backend Engineer to design, build, and maintain scalable backend systems spanning database architecture, middle-tier services, and data processing/ETL pipelines that power our commerce platform and client integrations. This role combines deep backend engineering with hands-on data engineering and stream processing responsibility, and serves as a senior technical contributor and production support owner for the systems they build.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain backend services and APIs using PHP, Node.js, and React.js across the middle tier
• Design and optimize database schemas and queries in MySQL, and implement caching strategies using Redis
• Build and maintain ETL and data pipelines using Airflow, working with Parquet-formatted data feeding into Redshift and Databricks
• Design and implement stream processing solutions using Kafka
• Architect and operate scalable, high-availability systems deployed on AWS
• Provide production support and participate in an on-call rotation as needed
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners in Product, Data, and QA to translate requirements into technical solutions
• Write clean, tested, well-documented code and actively participate in code reviews
• Leverage AI coding tools (Claude, Cursor, Codex, Gemini, etc.) to accelerate development and improve code quality
• Mentor other engineers on backend and data engineering best practices

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, with a strong focus on backend, database, and data processing systems
• Strong proficiency in PHP, Node.js, and React.js
• Deep experience with MySQL database design, optimization, and administration
• Experience with Redis for caching and in-memory data structures
• Hands-on experience with Kafka for stream processing and event-driven architectures
• ETL/data pipeline experience using Airflow and Parquet file formats
• Experience with AWS cloud infrastructure
• Proficiency with AI coding tools (Claude, Cursor, Codex, Gemini, etc.)
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship
• Ability to pass background check
• Experience with Apache Spark, Python, and Databricks
• Experience with real-time stream processing frameworks