Backend Engineer Jobs

Find Backend Engineer jobs where you can build and maintain the systems that power modern applications. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more, including roles focused on APIs, distributed services, databases, cloud infrastructure, and platform engineering.

What Backend Engineers Do

Backend Engineers design, develop, test, and operate server-side software. They build APIs and services, manage data storage and processing, improve application performance, and help ensure systems are secure, reliable, and able to scale. The role often involves partnering with frontend engineers, product managers, data teams, and infrastructure specialists.

Skills and Technologies

Employers commonly seek experience with languages such as Java, Python, Go, JavaScript, C#, or Ruby; API patterns and service architectures; relational and NoSQL databases; cloud platforms; and testing, observability, and deployment tools. Requirements vary by company and specialization, so review each listing for the technologies and experience that matter most.

Career Paths and Seniority

Backend engineering opportunities range from experienced individual-contributor positions to Senior, Staff, Principal, and Engineering Manager roles. As engineers advance, they may take on broader system design, technical strategy, mentorship, architecture, or team leadership responsibilities.

Explore Backend Engineer Opportunities

Browse Ladders listings to compare vetted Backend Engineer openings paying $100,000 or more. Use job details to assess responsibilities, qualifications, work arrangements, and compensation, then focus your search on roles that match your experience and career goals.

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$85K - $170K *

Reimagine enterprise systems by modernizing legacy code into cloud-native Python microservices. Collaborate on designing lightweight REST APIs and batch jobs using DevSecOps practices in AWS Lambda an...

Mclean, VARemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Take ownership of API development, optimizing performance and reliability for a high-traffic platform. Collaborate on critical infrastructure, enhance user experience, and implement robust security me...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$150K - $350K *

Join a team that's building scalable, high-performance backend systems using TypeScript. Collaborate across functions to optimize trading solutions and tackle complex challenges in the blockchain spac...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Engineer robust backend systems for financial applications, tackling payments, fraud detection, and compliance. Collaborate with a skilled team to design, build, and optimize features, ensuring reliab...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $170K *

Drive modernization of legacy systems by transforming Java/.NET services into cloud-native Python microservices. Leverage your Python skills to design APIs, integrate DevSecOps practices, and support...

Mclean, VARemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Build innovative backend solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and drive product success. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate customer needs into scalable features while ensuri...

Toronto, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$130K - $160K *

Drive the evolution of Stripe's authentication stack as a Backend Engineer, enhancing security and scalability while collaborating with teams to deliver innovative IAM solutions supporting enterprise...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $187K *

Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on crafting scalable software solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to design impactful APIs and lead innovations that drive efficiency and elevate cus...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$135K - $160K *

Optimize backend systems for a financial platform, integrating AI features and ensuring reliability across multiple regions. Collaborate with global teams to enhance product capabilities and maintain...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$135K - $160K *

Drive the development of scalable backend systems for a financial platform, integrating AI features and ensuring reliability across multiple regions. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance product...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$250K - $400K *

Shape the future of backend systems by designing, building, and operating high-scale solutions. Collaborate with a talented team to tackle complex challenges and ensure reliability in a fast-paced env...

New York, NYRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $130K *

Join a team that's building a robust data platform to transform health data into actionable insights. Collaborate on backend services and data systems, enhancing reliability and performance while driv...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$124K - $196K *

Optimize backend systems by building REST APIs, enhancing integrations, and ensuring reliability. Collaborate with teams to develop CI/CD pipelines and monitor services, all while working remotely wit...

San Francisco, CARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Shape innovative workflows by owning the dubbing pipeline, transforming video projects into multilingual formats. Collaborate on specs, design data structures, and lead projects from concept to launch...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$115K - $162K *

Develop and optimize backend features for a Rust-based graph data service, enhancing reliability and scalability while collaborating across teams to deliver impactful solutions for GitLab's platform...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Unlock potential by designing and building scalable backend systems using Python. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance cloud-native applications and optimize performance in a distributed environ...

Dallas, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of live video experiences. As a key player, you'll architect and deliver scalable backend systems, enhancing streaming quality and reliability for creators and th...

San Francisco, CARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in developing core systems that empower users to engage with diverse news perspectives. Collaborate closely with a small, agile team to design, build, and enhance backend services, ens...

CanadaRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$120K - $145K *

Explore the opportunity to manage and evolve complex multi-prem platform architecture. Collaborate with engineering teams, ensuring operational excellence across diverse environments while leveraging...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$222K - $314K *

Drive innovation by designing and implementing LLM-based systems that tackle complex problems in data processing, empowering the team with your technical direction and expertise while overseeing impac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$81K *

Manage and enhance public health technology platforms, ensuring secure, reliable operations for local, state, and federal agencies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize system performan...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $140K *

Tackle complex challenges as a Staff Backend Engineer, designing scalable, secure distributed systems. Leverage your Python expertise to build cloud-native applications that enhance core services in a...

Toronto, ONRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's dedicated to building and enhancing robust full-stack solutions. You'll take ownership of features from design to deployment, collaborating with engineers to deliver high-quality, s...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$199K - $235K *

Champion the development of secure backend services and APIs, enhancing user administration capabilities. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliable, high-quality software while mentoring peers and d...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$108K - $130K *

Design and develop scalable backend applications in a collaborative, remote environment. Engage with cross-functional teams to enhance software quality and mentor peers while ensuring high performance...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Backend Engineer do?question toggle

    A Backend Engineer develops and maintains server-side software, including APIs, services, databases, and the systems that support application reliability, security, and performance.

  • What skills are commonly required for Backend Engineer jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary, but often include proficiency in one or more programming languages, API and service development, database experience, testing, cloud platforms, and knowledge of scalable system design.

  • What is the difference between a Backend Engineer and a Software Engineer?question toggle

    Backend Engineer generally describes a software engineering role focused on server-side systems and data processing. Software Engineer is a broader title that can include backend, frontend, full-stack, platform, and other specialties.

  • What seniority levels are available for Backend Engineers?question toggle

    Openings may include experienced, Senior, Staff, and Principal individual-contributor roles, as well as engineering management positions. Titles and responsibilities differ between employers.

  • How can I find Backend Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more?question toggle

    Search Ladders for Backend Engineer openings and review each listing's compensation, qualifications, responsibilities, and work arrangement. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying at least $100,000.