Staff Backend Software Engineer - Product Platform

4 Months ago • 4 Years + • $180,000 PA - $250,000 PA

Product Management

Job Description

The Staff Backend Software Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and scaling systems for web and mobile products. This includes building and maintaining robust backend services, collaborating with cross-functional teams, tackling infrastructure challenges using AWS services, and driving best practices in system design. The Product Platform Team develops foundational systems and tools to empower product teams. The role requires strong system design skills and proficiency in Python. The team focuses on ensuring the scalability, reliability, and performance of the core platform.

Must Have:

4+ years of backend engineering experience in scalable systems.
Strong system design skills for efficient and reliable architectures.
Experience with infrastructure tools including AWS and Kubernetes.
Strong proficiency in Python.

Perks:

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) plan.
Equity may be part of the total compensation package.

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

cross-functional

quality-control

postgresql

aws

redis

kubernetes

python

system-design

Perplexity is seeking a talented and experienced Backend Software Engineer to join our Product Platform Team. As a critical part of the team, you will be responsible for leading design, implementation, and scaling of systems that power our web and mobile products.

Our backend stack is Python, PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, Redis, and Kubernetes, built alongside dedicated in-house AI and search interfaces.

About the Team

The Product Platform Team plays a pivotal role in enabling the success of product engineers and the broader Perplexity ecosystem. Our mission is to:

Develop foundational systems and tools that empower product teams to deliver with speed and confidence.
Ensure the scalability, reliability, and performance of the core platform as we grow.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and maintain robust backend services that serve as the backbone of our platform.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable and maintainable system architectures.
Tackle complex infrastructure challenges, leveraging AWS services.
Drive best practices in system design, coding standards, and engineering excellence.

Qualifications

4+ years of backend engineering experience in designing and building scalable systems.
Strong system design skills, with the ability to create efficient, reliable, and scalable architectures.
Hands-on experience with infrastructure tools, including AWS, Kubernetes, and related cloud technologies.
Strong proficiency in Python.
Collaborative mindset and eagerness to solve challenging technical problems.

Our cash compensation range for this role is $180,000 - $250,000.

At Perplexity, we've experienced tremendous growth and adoption since publicly launching the world's first fully functional conversational answer engine in 2022. We've grown from answering 2.5 million questions per day at the start of 2024 to around 20 million daily queries in December 2024. We also offer Perplexity Enterprise Pro, which counts leading companies like Nvidia, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Bridgewater, and Zoom as customers.

To support our rapid expansion, we've raised significant funding from some of the most respected technology investors. Our investor base includes IVP, NEA, Jeff Bezos, NVIDIA, Databricks, Bessemer Venture Partners, Elad Gil, Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, Naval Ravikant, Tobi Lutke, and many other visionary individuals. In 2024, our employee base grew nearly 300%, and we're just getting started.

Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors, including, experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Equity: In addition to the base salary, equity may be part of the total compensation package.

Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents. Includes a 401(k) plan.