Manager, Backend Platform

Summary

Join Zora, a cutting-edge on-chain social network, as an experienced tech lead manager. You will lead and grow a high-performing backend platform team, architect scalable backend platforms, and set the technical direction for Zora's API and indexing architecture. Responsibilities include overseeing the design and evolution of Zora's API, identifying platform gaps, and fostering a culture of technical excellence. You will also mentor and develop engineers. This role requires proven experience leading backend teams with expertise in Python, Ethereum RPCs, blockchain data systems, and GraphQL architecture. Zora offers top-quality medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible time off, a new Macbook Pro, and equity.

Requirements

• Proven experience in leading backend teams with a strong foundation in Python ( asyncio ), Ethereum RPCs, and blockchain data systems
• Deep understanding of GraphQL architecture and distributed workflow systems like Temporal
• Strong technical judgment and decision-making ability, especially in areas such as API architecture, data consistency, and performance optimization
• Hands-on experience with key backend systems, including Redis, MongoDB, and Postgres
• Demonstrated ability to define KPIs, align team goals to company priorities, and lead execution end-to-end
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with a collaborative approach to working across teams and disciplines
• Passion for mentorship and a track record of scaling engineering teams

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a high-performing backend platform team, balancing technical execution with team development
• Architect scalable backend platforms and frameworks that enable product teams to build efficiently and with high quality
• Set technical direction and roadmap in collaboration with platform engineering leads across frontend, backend, and infrastructure
• Oversee the design and evolution of Zora’s API and indexing architecture, ensuring reliability and performance at scale
• Identify gaps in platform capabilities through close partnership with product teams, and drive the development of strategic platform features
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the engineering organization
• Mentor and develop engineers through regular feedback, performance reviews, and growth planning

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of backend engineering experience, including 2+ years managing or tech-leading backend/platform teams
• Experience in Web3 or blockchain infrastructure, including indexing systems and smart contract interaction
• Familiarity with infrastructure and DevOps best practices
• Experience with high-throughput APIs and building systems with strict consistency guarantees
• Technical breadth across backend, frontend, and infrastructure domains

Benefits

• ZORA provides top quality medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible time-off policy
• A new Macbook Pro for full-time employees
• Employees also receive equity