Strong proficiency in Python and experience building production backend services
Experience building and maintaining TypeScript-based applications and comfortable working across backend and frontend boundaries
Solid understanding of REST APIs, PostgreSQL, and data modeling
Experience with Docker and containerized applications; familiarity with Kubernetes is a plus
Experience building and operating cloud-native, production-grade distributed systems
Comfortable owning system design and shipping to production without support, including on squads running solo with no ramp-up runway
Has concretely built a shadow-test/dual-write migration path or a reversible-operations model for destructive actions before — not just read about the patterns
Backend-leaning specifically, to correct the program's existing front-end skew
Prior experience leading a team or owning technical direction solo is a strong plus, given the possibility of squad leadership
Responsibilities:
End-to-end ownership of complex, production-facing features with a backend-leaning skillset — data models, APIs, and the infrastructure they run on, not just UI
Safe migration patterns for legacy or high-risk systems — e.g., shadow-testing/dual-write layers that validate new logic against live production traffic before cutover, rather than big-bang rewrites
Reversibility by construction for destructive or bulk operations — undoable-command or versioned-transaction models with a true inverse operation, not a confirm dialogue bolted on after the fact
Setting technical direction and raising the bar for code quality on a squad, including in situations with no peer to check your judgment against
Potential to lead a squad directly, including standing up intake/triage/routing from zero and taking on forward-deployed customer-facing duties
Why Smart Tek:
Variety of domains
Full stack of technologies
Professional and highly interactive team environment
