# Senior Software Engineer, Backend
**Company:** [Plaid](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/plaid)
Plaid is seeking a Senior Backend Software Engineer to design and build robust financial data integration systems that power connections for thousands of developers and millions of users. The ideal candidate will create scalable, high-performance backend services that enable secure financial data access and innovation across Plaid's extensive network of financial institutions.
**Role:** Backend Engineer
**Seniority:** Senior
**Locations:** New York City Office
**Salary:** 190800–286800 USD
[Apply](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/plaid/51d7f702-e76c-4305-b3d4-50d270ec7d1c)
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/jobs/plaid/senior-software-engineer-backend-51d7f702
---
## Responsibilities

- Backend Service Development: Design and maintain high-performance, reliable, and scalable backend services that support financial data integration and API connectivity
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to define and implement innovative features meeting product and customer needs
- Code Quality Management: Write clean, maintainable, and efficient code while developing comprehensive automated testing strategies to ensure system reliability
- Technical Leadership: Engage in architectural design, set high technical standards, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to team growth through code reviews and technical guidance
- System Optimization: Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues, continuously improving system performance and reliability

## Requirements

### education

- {"name":"Educational Background","description":"Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field preferred"}

### technical

- {"name":"Database Expertise","description":"Extensive experience with MySQL and relational database systems"}
- {"name":"Microservices Architecture","description":"Proven experience designing and implementing microservices-based systems"}
- {"name":"System Design","description":"Advanced skills in creating scalable and efficient software architectures"}

### experience

- {"name":"Professional Experience","description":"5+ years of professional software engineering experience with a track record of successful project deliveries"}
- {"name":"Cross-Functional Collaboration","description":"Demonstrated ability to work effectively across operations, product, design, and data science teams"}
- {"name":"Technical Leadership","description":"Experience in mentoring junior engineers and driving technical excellence"}

## Skills

### required

- {"name":"Backend Development","description":"Expertise in building scalable backend services"}
- {"name":"Database Management","description":"Proficiency with relational databases like MySQL"}
- {"name":"System Design","description":"Strong architectural and design skills"}

### preferred

- {"name":"Financial Technology Experience","description":"Prior work in fintech or financial data integration platforms"}
- {"name":"API Development","description":"Experience building complex, secure API systems"}

## Tech stack

### tools

- {"name":"Kubernetes","description":"Likely used for container orchestration"}
- {"name":"Docker","description":"Containerization technology for service deployment"}

### others

- {"name":"Cloud Platforms","description":"AWS or Google Cloud likely used for infrastructure"}

### databases

- {"name":"MySQL","description":"Primary relational database mentioned in job requirements"}

### languages

- {"name":"Python","description":"Likely primary backend development language"}
- {"name":"Go","description":"Potentially used for high-performance backend services"}

### frameworks

- {"name":"gRPC","description":"Potentially used for microservices communication"}

## Benefits

### benefits

- {"name":"Equity Compensation","description":"Stock options available as part of total compensation package"}
- {"name":"Diversity and Inclusion","description":"Commitment to building a diverse and equitable workplace"}
- {"name":"Flexible Work Arrangement","description":"Hybrid work model offering flexibility in work location"}

## Compensation

- **max:** 286800
- **min:** 190800
- **currency:** USD
- **stockOptions:** true

## Interview process

### steps

- {"name":"Initial Screening","description":"Phone or video call with recruiting team to assess background and fit"}
- {"name":"Technical Interview","description":"Detailed technical assessment of coding skills, system design, and problem-solving abilities"}
- {"name":"System Design Challenge","description":"In-depth evaluation of architectural and design capabilities"}
- {"name":"Team Interview","description":"Interviews with potential team members to assess collaboration and cultural fit"}
- {"name":"Final Executive Interview","description":"Conversation with senior leadership to align on vision and potential impact"}

## Full description
We believe that the way people interact with their finances will drastically improve in the next few years. We’re dedicated to empowering this transformation by building the tools and experiences that thousands of developers use to create their own products. Plaid powers the tools millions of people rely on to live a healthier financial life. We work with thousands of companies like Venmo, SoFi, several of the Fortune 500, and many of the largest banks to make it easy for people to connect their financial accounts to the apps and services they want to use. Plaid’s network covers 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada, UK and Europe. Founded in 2013, the company is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, Washington D.C., London and Amsterdam.

Plaid’s mission is to unlock financial freedom for everyone by making money movement and access to financial data simple and secure. As a Software Engineer, you will design and build the systems that power how millions of people connect to their finances. You will work across the stack, from reliable backend services and APIs to intuitive applications that bring those systems to life. You will collaborate with engineers, product managers, and designers to ship products that make financial services more accessible and transparent. At Plaid, engineers take ownership early, grow quickly, and see their work reach millions of users.

**Responsibilities:**

* Design & Development: Build and maintain backend services with a focus on performance, reliability and scalability.
* Collaboration: Work closely with product managers and other stakeholders to define and implement new features that meet product and customer needs.
* Code Quality: Write clean, maintainable and efficient code.
* Testing & Debugging: Develop automated tests to ensure the quality and reliability of the codebase. Troubleshoot and resolve issues.
* Engage in hands-on coding and architectural design, setting and maintaining high technical standards for a high performing team.
* Grow the team via mentorship and leadership, reviewing technical documents and code changes.

**Qualifications:**

* 5+ years of experience with extensive experience in software engineering with a proven track record of shipping successful projects.
* Experience with MySQL or other relational databases.
* Experience working with microservices.
* Excellent coding, testing, and system design skills.
* Prior experience with cross functional collaboration, communication and project management skills.
* Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to mentor and guide junior engineers.
* Ability to work with operations, product, design, and data science.

Our mission at Plaid is to unlock financial freedom for everyone. To support that mission, we seek to build a diverse team of driven individuals who care deeply about making the financial ecosystem more equitable. We recognize that strong qualifications can come from both prior work experiences and lived experiences. We encourage you to apply to a role even if your experience doesn't fully match the job description. We are always looking for team members that will bring something unique to Plaid!

Plaid is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion or religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, military or veteran status, disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Plaid is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance with your application or interviews due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations@plaid.com.

Please review our Candidate Privacy Notice [here](https://plaid.com/legal/#candidate-privacy-notice).