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Staff Backend Engineer

Drive Mode

Tokyo, Japan (Hybrid)

Staff Backend Engineer

1 Month ago • 8 Years +

Job Summary

Job Description

As an experienced Backend Engineer, you will drive the technical vision and architecture for critical backend systems. You'll lead the design of scalable cloud services, influence technical direction across teams, and ensure architectural coherence. You will also mentor engineers, tackle technical challenges, and champion operational excellence.

Must have:

8+ years of software engineering experience in distributed systems.
Deep expertise in one or more programming languages.
Experience in architecting cloud native complex systems.
Strong proficiency with Infrastructure as Code.
Mastery of distributed systems principles and API design.
Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and system design skills.
Ability to lead technical initiatives and influence across teams.
Excellent technical communication skills.
Strong sense of technical ownership and accountability.
Ability to collaborate effectively in English.

Good to have:

Experience with our tech stack: Rust, AWS, Kubernetes.
Experience in the automotive or IoT domains.
Japanese language ability is always welcome.

8 skills required

8 skills required for this role

Add these skills to join the top 1% applicants for this job

kubernetes

nosql

rust

aws

sql

communication

scalability

innovation

Job Details

Our Mission:

Driving technology always feels old. Not by a little bit. We believe vehicles can be a thousand times smarter, safer, and more connected to the world around us, and our mission is to see it happen. In 2019, we joined forces with Honda as their first startup acquisition, and now we’re expanding our vision into building the future of electric vehicles (BEV) for millions of people around the world.

Why Drivemode:

Join Drivemode for an exciting startup environment and a vibrant culture that combines impactful work, competitive compensation, and excellent benefits. By becoming a part of our team, you'll contribute to a crucial mission that revolutionizes the way people engage with vehicles, addressing both business needs and the world's environmental challenges. This presents an exceptional opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and drive Honda's success in the EV market.

About the Role:

As an experienced Backend Engineer, you will drive the technical vision and architecture for critical backend systems that power our core driver experiences. You'll lead the design of scalable and resilient cloud services, influence technical direction across multiple engineering teams, and ensure architectural coherence. Your expertise will set technical standards, guide complex initiatives, and directly impact the quality and capability of our products.

What You Will Do

•Lead the architecture and design of complex, large-scale backend systems.

•Drive technical strategy and ensure alignment across engineering teams for major initiatives.

•Mentor engineers and elevate technical standards through guidance and reviews.

•Tackle the most critical technical challenges and contribute hands-on to key components.

•Champion operational excellence, scalability, and reliability for production services.

•Define and communicate technical designs and decisions effectively.

•Identify and advocate for technical improvements and innovations.

What We Are Looking For

•8+ years of software engineering experience with a strong track record in designing, building, and operating large-scale distributed systems.

•Deep expertise in one or more programming languages

•Extensive experience architecting and operating cloud native complex systems

•Strong proficiency with Infrastructure as Code

•Mastery of distributed systems principles, modern API design, and data modeling (SQL & NoSQL).

•Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and system design skills.

•Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and influence across teams without direct authority.

•Excellent technical communication skills, adept at conveying complex ideas clearly.

•Strong sense of technical ownership and accountability.

•Ability to collaborate effectively in English.

Nice to Have

•Experience with our tech stack: Rust, AWS, Kubernetes.

•Experience in the automotive or IoT domains.

•Japanese language ability is always welcome.

EEOC Statement

Drivemode is proud to be a diverse team with employees coming from 11 countries. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints are all critical when developing products for drivers all over the world. We value the different perspectives of our team and work together creatively to improve and provoke new ideas.

Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, d

What You Will Do:

Lead the architecture and design of complex, large-scale backend systems.
Drive technical strategy and ensure alignment across engineering teams for major initiatives.
Mentor engineers and elevate technical standards through guidance and reviews.
Tackle the most critical technical challenges and contribute hands-on to key components.
Champion operational excellence, scalability, and reliability for production services.
Define and communicate technical designs and decisions effectively.
Identify and advocate for technical improvements and innovations.

What We Are Looking For:

8+ years of software engineering experience with a strong track record in designing, building, and operating large-scale distributed systems.
Deep expertise in one or more programming languages
Extensive experience architecting and operating cloud native complex systems
Strong proficiency with Infrastructure as Code
Mastery of distributed systems principles, modern API design, and data modeling (SQL & NoSQL).
Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and system design skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and influence across teams without direct authority.
Excellent technical communication skills, adept at conveying complex ideas clearly.
Strong sense of technical ownership and accountability.
Ability to collaborate effectively in English.

Nice to Have:

Experience with our tech stack: Rust, AWS, Kubernetes.
Experience in the automotive or IoT domains.
Japanese language ability is always welcome.

EEOC Statement

Drivemode is proud of a very diverse team with employees coming from 5 continents/20 countries as of today. Diversity in our workplace has played an important part in our success; we recognize each employee’s unique background, knowledge, experiences, ideas, and viewpoints which are all critical in developing a product that has the greatest impacts on drivers all over the world. Drivemode provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristics that make you unique.