Senior or Principal Backend Developer (Node.JS)
Kforce Inc
Job Summary
Kforce's client, a fast-growing and innovative company in the Plano, TX area, is seeking a Senior to Principal Backend Engineer focused on Node.js. This hybrid role involves architecting and developing robust APIs and backend services using Node.js, PostgreSQL, and Redis. The engineer will optimize complex SQL queries, solve high-scale engineering challenges, and collaborate cross-functionally to deliver features. Responsibilities include identifying technical debt, leading refactoring, participating in code reviews, mentoring team members, and owning projects end-to-end.
Must Have
- BS degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or equivalent work experience
- 5-8+ years of backend development engineering experience
- Deep expertise in Node.js and backend JavaScript
- Strong proficiency with PostgreSQL or similar relational databases
- Strong experience with API connections, timing, and asynchronous code
- Advanced SQL skills to write, debug, and optimize complex queries
- Experience building high-traffic, consumer-facing platforms
- Proven ability to scale systems to millions of daily users
- Familiarity with DevOps and cloud infrastructure (Google Cloud or AWS preferred), including CI/CD and infrastructure as code
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Startup experience and entrepreneurial mindset or working in smaller companies
- Agile development experience (daily standups, 2-week sprints)
Good to Have
- Experience in travel, marketplace, or e-commerce domains
- Exposure to machine learning platforms like Vertex AI, SageMaker, or Azure ML
- Contributions to open-source projects or tech communities
Perks & Benefits
- Medical/dental/vision insurance
- HSA
- FSA
- 401(k)
- Life, disability & ADD insurance
- Paid time off (for salaried personnel)
Job Description
Kforce's client, a fast-growing and innovative company in the Plano, TX area is seeking a Senior to Principal Backend Engineer focused on Node.js. Summary: Our backend systems are the foundation of the traveler and vacation experience, supporting millions of users and high-volume transactions. This hybrid role requires 2-3 days onsite per week. We are working directly with the hiring manager on this exclusive search assignment. As a Backend Engineer, you will collaborate with product, engineering, and leadership teams to build scalable services and APIs that power our platform. You will play a key role in shaping system architecture, driving performance, and fostering engineering excellence.
Responsibilities:
- Architect and develop robust APIs and backend services using Node.js, PostgreSQL, and Redis
- Optimize complex SQL queries and database schemas for high-speed performance across large datasets
- Solve high-scale engineering challenges to ensure reliability under heavy traffic
- Work cross-functionally to deliver backend features aligned with product goals
- Identify and resolve technical debt; lead refactoring efforts to future-proof the stack
- Participate in standups, code reviews, and deployment processes
- Mentor team members and promote technical excellence
- Own projects end-to-end-from concept through production
Requirements
- BS degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or equivalent work experience
- At least 5-8+ years of backend development engineering experience
- Deep expertise in Node.js and backend JavaScript
- Strong proficiency with PostgreSQL or similar relational databases
- Strong experience with API connections, timing, and asynchronous code
- Advanced SQL skills-able to write, debug, and optimize complex queries
- Experience building high-traffic, consumer-facing platforms
- Proven ability to scale systems to millions of daily users
- Familiarity with DevOps and cloud infrastructure (Google Cloud or AWS preferred), including CI/CD and infrastructure as code
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Startup experience and entrepreneurial mindset or working in smaller companies would be ideal
- Agile development experience (daily standups, 2-week sprints)
Nice to haves:
- Experience in travel, marketplace, or e-commerce domains
- Exposure to machine learning platforms like Vertex AI, SageMaker, or Azure ML
- Contributions to open-source projects or tech communities
12 Skills Required For This Role
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