Senior Backend Engineer, Zapier

• 6+ years of professional experience in software engineering, with a focus on backend systems, APIs, and scalable architectures
• Proficiency in TypeScript (preferred), Python, or a similar language for high-performance backend development
• Experience designing, building, and maintaining APIs for complex systems, including API versioning and lifecycle management
• Strong understanding of graph-based and relational database design, with the ability to represent complex relationships and dependencies
• Demonstrated ability to make architectural decisions for scalable and high-throughput systems
• Proven experience integrating AI/ML systems into production workflows, including optimization for inference and monitoring
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including AI/ML specialists, product managers, and other engineers
• Expertise in designing modular, reusable architectures for multi-team, multi-product ecosystems
• Proficiency in optimizing backend performance, especially for latency-sensitive and high-throughput APIs
• Experience with distributed ownership of data models and ensuring consistency across interconnected systems

Desirable

• We’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join the Canvas team
• Canvas is Zapier’s platform for visually designing, building, and automating business workflows
• Within Canvas, AI Assist is our cutting-edge initiative that leverages AI to recommend optimizations and help users build systems via APIs
• Zapier Canvas empowers users to visually design, build, and automate customer workflows
• With intuitive diagramming tools and AI-assisted automation, users can transform ideas into powerful systems using Zapier's extensive suite of products
• Users can annotate, share, and collaborate on Canvas documents, providing a clear and visual way to explain and refine their automations
• Enhance AI Assist Capabilities: Build and optimize backend systems that power AI-driven recommendations, ensuring seamless integration with Canvas workflows. Develop high-throughput systems to process and serve data efficiently for AI-powered features
• Collaborate with Product and Design Teams: Partner with product managers, UX designers, and AI/ML specialists to deliver intuitive and impactful backend solutions that support our users’ automation needs
• Deliver our API-First Vision: Architect and implement scalable, developer-friendly APIs that enable seamless communication between Canvas and other Zapier products. Ensure APIs are secure, reliable, and optimized for performance
• Optimize System Performance: Monitor and improve the reliability, scalability, and efficiency of backend systems, addressing performance bottlenecks, error rates, and maintaining high availability
• Design Scalable Data Models: Create graph-based and relational data models that represent complex relationships and dependencies, supporting interconnected products across the Zapier ecosystem
• Resolve Bugs and Implement Feature Requests: Investigate and address backend issues, ensuring they are resolved promptly while continuously looking for ways to improve based on user feedback
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work with engineers, data specialists, and AI/ML teams across the organization to align on goals, share best practices, and drive innovation in backend system design
• You’ll also have the opportunity to specialize in various areas of the Zapier codebase

• Deadline to Apply: February 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM UTC