Staff Backend Engineer

Summary

Join Axios, a respected media company, as a Staff Backend Engineer in our Application Development organization. You will be responsible for the evolution and maintenance of our backend architecture and services, enabling Axios journalists to reach readers. This role involves spearheading technical initiatives, collaborating with various teams, and mentoring junior engineers. You will drive impact by establishing technical vision, defining engineering principles, and proactively addressing technical debt. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in building web-scale systems, designing scalable architectures, and working with cloud-based infrastructure. Axios offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and a supportive work environment.

Requirements

• Experience building web-scale systems in languages such as (but not limited to) Golang, Python, and TypeScript
• Demonstrated staff-level expertise in proactive problem-solving and driving technical innovation
• Track record of designing and building scalable systems
• Strong understanding of database concepts such as modeling, querying, and performance tuning
• Proficient in diagnosing and resolving performance issues within complex, large-scale systems
• Experience working on cloud-based infrastructure using AWS
• Proficient in Agile Software Development methodologies

Responsibilities

• Driving strategic platform initiatives, collaborating with application, data, and platform team members to ensure stable and performant application services
• Establishing and aligning technical vision with engineering and product leadership
• Working closely with product development teams to define and adopt engineering principles and standards
• Mentoring less experienced team members through pair programming, code review, and group learning sessions
• Proactively identifying technical debt and prioritizing its remediation with the development teams
• Staying up to date with industry trends, technologies, and best practices
• Evaluating and recommending new tools and technologies to improve the platform and developer experience
• Works closely with cross functional teams and business stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver solutions
• Contributes to a culture of documentation, including platform architecture, processes, and workflows

Benefits

• 401(k) with employer match
• Robust PPO and High Deductible health insurance options on the Blue Cross Blue Shield network
• Employer Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution for the high deductible health plan option
• Dental and vision coverage
• Primary caregiver 12-week paid leave
• Generous vacation policy, plus holidays
• One mental health day per quarter
• Annual learning and development stipend
• $100 monthly work-from-home stipend
• Tele-mental health services through Headspace
• OneMedical membership, including tele-health services
• Personal health advocacy resources through HealthAdvocate
• Inclusive fertility, hormonal health and family forming benefits through Carrot Fertility
• Access to the Axios “Family Fund”, which was created to allow employees to request financial support when facing financial hardship or emergencies
• Increased work flexibility for parents and caretakers
• Virtual company-sponsored social events
• A strong and positive work environment
• A commitment to an open, inclusive, and diverse work culture