Spotify

Backend Engineer - Music

Spotify • $151K — $189K *
Consumer Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in backend development using Java or similar JVM languages.
  • Strong understanding of system design, data structures, and algorithms.
  • Experience building and operating distributed, high-traffic services, preferably on a cloud platform like Google Cloud Platform.
  • Familiarity with data pipeline tools such as Scio or Apache Beam is preferred.
  • Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical needs effectively.
  • Appreciation for code quality and maintainable code, with a focus on reliability.

Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain production backend systems to enhance music video discovery.
  • Design and develop scalable backend services and APIs for the Spotify app.
  • Create and manage Java services and data pipelines for high-volume listener traffic.
  • Collaborate with product managers and engineers to solve complex user experience challenges.
  • Contribute to system design and ensure the quality of code and systems within a cross-functional team.
  • Experiment with AI tools to innovate on development processes.
  • Ensure smooth operation and reliable functionality of backend systems.

Benefits

  • Health insurance coverage.
  • Six-month paid parental leave.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
  • Monthly meal allowance for employees.
  • 23 paid vacation days annually.
  • Flexible paid holidays and paid sick leave.
Full Job Description
The Music Mission team owns Spotify's end to end proposition for music creators and the experiences they create for fans. The organization is dedicated to building tools and services to enable creation, promotion, expression, and monetization at scale.

Our team makes music videos easy for fans to discover and meaningful for artists, powered by scalable, intelligent infrastructure that grows with our catalog. We're building personalized music video playlists, sorting videos into meaningful categories, and learning which videos listeners are most likely to love, then helping that content reach the right people.

As a Backend Engineer, you'll help shape how millions of listeners experience music videos on Spotify, working alongside Data Engineers, Backend Engineers, and partners across product and design.

What You'll Do

  • Build and run production backend systems that improve how listeners discover and enjoy music videos.
  • Design, develop, and evolve scalable backend services and APIs that support high-traffic parts of the Spotify app.
  • Develop and maintain Java services and Scio data pipelines used by millions of listeners every day.
  • Partner with product managers and engineers to solve complex problems and create smooth, enjoyable experiences for listeners.
  • Contribute to system design, code quality, and reliable, well-run systems as part of an autonomous, cross-functional squad.
  • Explore and experiment with AI tools available at Spotify to improve how we build and ship.


Who You Are

  • You have experience with Java or another JVM language, and familiarity with (or interest in learning) data pipeline tools like Scio, Apache Beam, or similar.
  • You've built and operated distributed, high-volume services in production, ideally on a cloud platform such as Google Cloud Platform.
  • You're comfortable with system design, data structures, and algorithms, and use data to inform how you design systems and make decisions.
  • You work directly with partners to understand their needs and turn them into scalable backend systems, APIs, and pipelines.
  • You enjoy working in teams where experimentation and iteration are part of everyday work.
  • You care about code quality, reliability, and maintainability, and take pride in shipping well-crafted work.
  • You bring a collaborative mindset and are comfortable working across team boundaries. Experience in data engineering or machine learning is a bonus, not a requirement.


Where You'll Be

  • We offer you the flexibility to work where you work best! There will be some in person meetings, but still allows for flexibility to work from home.
  • This team operates within the US Eastern timezone for collaboration


The United States base range for this position is $151,942-$189,927 USD, plus equity. The benefits available for this position include health insurance, six-month paid parental leave, 401(k) retirement plan, monthly meal allowance, 23 paid days off, paid flexible holidays, and paid sick leave. These ranges may be modified in the future.

About Spotify

Spotify is a Swedish audio streaming and media services provider, launched in October 2008. The platform is owned by Spotify AB, a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange since April 2018. Spotify's primary business is providing an audio streaming platform, with the company claiming that it had 345 million active monthly users and 155 million paying subscribers as of December 2020. Unlike physical or download sales, which pay artists a fixed price per song or album sold, Spotify pays royalties based on the number of artist streams as a proportion of total songs streamed on the service. Spotify distributes approximately 70% of its total revenue to rights holders, who then pay artists based on their individual agreements. Spotify has faced criticism from artists and producers including Taylor Swift and Thom Yorke, who have argued that it does not fairly compensate musicians. Spotify has also faced criticism from artists and producers including Taylor Swift and Thom Yorke, who have argued that it does not fairly compensate musicians.
Learn more about Spotify
Size
3,456 employees
Industry
Founded
2006

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