Back-End Software Engineer

We’re looking for a
Back-End Software Engineer
to help us enhance our platform’s core data infrastructure and APIs. You’ll build and maintain the backend services and architecture that power test preparation tools for students across the country. This is a high-impact, engineering-focused role that demands performance, reliability, and scalability—backed by a strong sense of ownership and urgency.

We live by these values:

- Go pro or go home.
Get better than the best.
- Do right. Period.
- Make it happen.
Excuses never built anything.
- Make it awesome.
There is no equality without quality.
- Customers are forever.
This company is for them.

About the Role

This role is responsible for ensuring the generation, quality, and reliability of backend systems built using an AI-assisted, test-driven development approach. Rather than focusing on high-volume code output, the engineer defines acceptance criteria and test cases, provides clear technical guidance, and reviews AI-generated implementations to ensure they meet product, performance, and reliability expectations. Success in this role is measured by the consistent delivery of high-quality, reliable features rather than by code volume.

What Success Looks Like

• Features are delivered consistently with clear acceptance criteria and minimal rework after release.
• Backend behavior is well-defined through test cases that accurately capture requirements, edge cases, and failure scenarios.
• AI-generated implementations require limited revision because guidance, tests, and constraints are clear and effective.
• Production issues related to backend logic, data handling, or system behavior decrease over time.
• Product, front-end, and QA partners report high confidence in backend feature readiness and reliability.
• Quality will be measured by the user experience. We continuously survey our users to get feedback on the experience, and a critical success factor of this role is that it is an excellent user experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the generation, quality, and reliability of backend code produced through AI-assisted development workflows.
• Define and maintain clear acceptance criteria and test cases prior to implementation, ensuring a strict test-driven development approach.
• Review, refine, and approve AI-generated backend code to ensure it meets functional, performance, and reliability requirements.
• Provide structured guidance and constraints to AI systems so generated code aligns with established backend architecture, data models, and service patterns.
• Write code as necessary to fill in gaps and bridge the last mile.
• Ensure backend implementations handle edge cases, error conditions, and failure scenarios correctly.
• Act as the final quality checkpoint for backend code prior to merge or deployment.
• Collaborate with product, front-end, and QA partners to translate requirements into precise, testable backend behavior.
• Maintain high standards for data integrity, security, and system observability.

Required Qualifications

• Senior-level experience designing, building, and maintaining backend systems in production environments.
• Strong experience practicing test-driven development, including defining and maintaining clear, meaningful test cases.
• Proven ability to evaluate backend code for quality, maintainability, performance, and operational safety.
• Hands-on experience using AI-assisted development tools, with an understanding of their strengths and limitations in backend contexts.
• Experience working with modern backend technologies (e.g., TypeScript, Python, Postgres, Google Firestore, React and Storybook, API design).
• Strong understanding of data modeling, transactional integrity, and error handling.
• Ability to translate product requirements into precise, testable backend specifications.
• Strong written communication skills and comfort providing clear, structured guidance to AI systems and engineering peers.
• High attention to detail and a demonstrated bias toward correctness and reliability over speed.
• While this is a fully remote position. Applicants must be physically located in the United States and authorized to work in the U.S.

Benefits

• Employee benefits eligibility (health, disability, AD&D, life insurance).
• Matching 401k
• Paid time off
• Generous paid holidays
• Ability to work fully remote
• Company supplied device/laptop