Senior Backend Engineer

About Understood

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We raise awareness of the challenges and strengths of people who learn and think differently. Our resources help people navigate challenges, gain confidence, and find support and community so they can thrive. 

Having a shared commitment to our values is a key factor in any hire we make. We have five core values: 

1. Continuously learn.
2. Act with intention.
3. Champion difference.
4. Inspire change.
5. Grow together. 

Come be part of an organization with an entrepreneurial spirit that’s helping to shape the world for difference. Together, we can build a world where everyone can reach their full potential. 

To learn more about Understood, please visit: www.understood.org.

Who you are 

To advance Understood’s mission and to further our impact, we’re hiring a Senior Backend Engineer, reporting to our Backend Engineering Manager. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in backend development, with expertise in Python, Django, and working in the cloud. They are well-versed in designing scalable systems and have a proven track record of leading technical projects. They thrive in collaborative settings, actively contributing to a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

This is a hybrid role that requires a minimum of three (3) days a week in our NYC office.

What you’ll do

• Collaborate closely with product, app and frontend teams to define, implement, and maintain robust backend services and APIs that power Understood’s mobile application and essential site functionality
• Own your work across the entire software development lifecycle, from early stage architecture/planning through to development and deployment
• Leverage your expertise in Python, Django and SQL to architect and implement efficient and scalable backend services
• Utilize Datadog for monitoring, alerting and analytics to proactively identify and resolve issues
• Participate in code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to continuously improving development processes and best practices
• Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends in mobile development, advocating for adopting new tools and practices that can enhance our development process and product offerings

Must-haves 

• 5+ years of proven experience writing production code in Python or a comparable language (Go, Ruby, etc)
• Hands-on experience with Django or equivalent web frameworks
• Proficiency in the design and development of scalable RESTful APIs
• Proficiency working with relational databases (Postgres, MySQL, etc.)
• Comfortable working in the cloud (GCP, AWS, etc.)
• Experience monitoring and instrumenting your code; we expect engineers to own their services’ health
• Demonstrated ability leading large projects as a technical lead
• Excellent communication skills, particularly when explaining technical matters to non-technical stakeholders and more junior engineers
• Thrives in a collaborative environment and is motivated in promoting and extending a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and knowledge sharing
• Adaptability to new projects and ways of working
• Ability to break down complex projects into distinct actionable tasks
• Experience with Agile software development processes
• Committed to embodying and being a steward of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging 

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with asynchronous programming/task queues
• Experience with vector databases such as Pinecone
• Experience with chatbot technologies and frameworks, such as OpenAI, LangChain, and LangSmith
• Experience using Docker / Kubernetes
• Experience with Observability tooling (Datadog, Prometheus, etc.)
• Familiarity with React Native / mobile app development, to better understand and support our app team in integrating backend features

The base salary range for this role is minimum $145,000-$165,000 maximum, depending on years of experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports wellness for our team members and their families. You can learn more about our benefits and offerings.

Understood.org does not sponsor applicants for work visas or legal permanent residence, including providing assistance with STEM OPT extensions.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Understood encourages individuals of all learning styles and ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including those whose life experiences may include the challenge of access due to a disability, to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to supporting this work.

Understood is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applications without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, alienage or citizenship status, marital or familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, change of sex or transgender status, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, physical or mental disability (where the applicant or employee is qualified to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation), any protected military or veteran status, or status as a victim of domestic or dating violence, sexual assault or offense, stalking, or any other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local law or that of persons with whom that individual associates, or any other legally protected characteristics.

For additional information on learning and thinking differences, including ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, executive function challenges, nonverbal learning disabilities, processing issues, and more, please visit www.understood.org.

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