# Software Engineer, Backend
**Company:** [Plaid](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/plaid)
Plaid is seeking a Backend Software Engineer to design and build scalable systems that power financial data connectivity. The role involves developing robust backend services and APIs that enable millions of users to connect and manage their financial accounts across thousands of institutions.
**Role:** Backend Engineer
**Seniority:** Mid
**Locations:** New York City Office
**Salary:** 176400–243600 USD
[Apply](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/plaid/7e10c0b5-a09a-4e07-aaa8-899a7f82a0c9)
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/jobs/plaid/software-engineer-backend-7e10c0b5
---
## Responsibilities

- System Design & Development: Build and maintain scalable, reliable backend systems and APIs that power Plaid's financial connectivity products, ensuring high performance and reliability at scale.
- Collaborative Engineering: Work closely with cross-functional teams including product managers, designers, and engineers to define and deliver innovative features that solve complex financial data challenges.
- Code Quality & Engineering Standards: Write clean, efficient, and well-tested code. Participate in code reviews and maintain high engineering standards across the team.
- Performance Optimization: Build automated tests, monitor system performance, and proactively troubleshoot issues in production environments to ensure optimal system reliability.
- Technical Innovation: Contribute to technical design discussions, share best practices, and drive continuous improvement in engineering processes and methodologies.

## Requirements

### education

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

### technical

- {"name":"Backend Development","description":"Strong skills in designing and implementing scalable backend systems and APIs"}
- {"name":"System Architecture","description":"Experience in building reliable, high-performance software systems that can handle complex financial data integrations"}

### experience

- {"name":"Professional Experience","description":"1-4 years of software engineering experience post-internship"}
- {"name":"Proven Track Record","description":"Demonstrated ability to ship reliable systems or features at scale"}

## Skills

### required

- {"name":"Problem Solving","description":"Ability to transform complex ideas into practical, maintainable technical solutions"}
- {"name":"Collaborative Skills","description":"Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment"}
- {"name":"Technical Ownership","description":"Proactive approach to taking ownership of projects and solving challenges without existing precedents"}

### preferred

- {"name":"Financial Technology Experience","description":"Prior experience or interest in fintech, financial data systems, or API development"}
- {"name":"Continuous Learning","description":"Demonstrated commitment to professional growth, seeking feedback, and continuously improving technical skills"}

## Tech stack

### tools

- {"name":"Cloud Infrastructure","description":"Likely using AWS or Google Cloud for scalable backend deployment"}
- {"name":"Monitoring Tools","description":"Potentially using tools like Datadog or New Relic for system performance tracking"}

### others

- {"name":"Financial API Integrations","description":"Specialized integration capabilities with financial institutions and banking systems"}

### databases

- {"name":"PostgreSQL","description":"Likely used for robust and scalable data storage"}

### languages

- {"name":"Python","description":"Likely primary backend programming language for development"}
- {"name":"Go","description":"Potential backend language for high-performance systems"}

### frameworks

- {"name":"REST APIs","description":"Core framework for financial data integration services"}

## Benefits

### benefits

- {"name":"Equity Compensation","description":"Stock options offering potential additional financial upside"}
- {"name":"Diversity & Inclusion","description":"Commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace"}
- {"name":"Career Growth","description":"Opportunities for rapid professional development in a fast-growing fintech environment"}

## Compensation

- **max:** 243600
- **min:** 176400
- **currency:** USD
- **stockOptions:** true

## Interview process

### steps

- {"name":"Initial Screening","description":"Phone or video call with recruiting team to discuss background and experience"}
- {"name":"Technical Assessment","description":"Coding challenge or technical interview to evaluate problem-solving and coding skills"}
- {"name":"Onsite/Virtual Interviews","description":"Multiple rounds of interviews with engineering team members, including system design and behavioral assessments"}
- {"name":"Final Interview","description":"Meeting with senior engineering leadership to discuss team fit and long-term potential"}

## 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:**

* System Design & Development: Build and maintain scalable, reliable backend or fullstack systems and APIs that power Plaid’s products.
* Collaboration: Work closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define and deliver features that solve real customer problems.
* Code Quality: Write clean, efficient, and well-tested code. Participate in reviews to maintain high engineering standards.
* Testing & Debugging: Build automated tests, monitor system performance, and troubleshoot issues in production environments.
* Continuous Improvement: Contribute to technical design discussions, share best practices, and help improve how we build at Plaid.

**Qualifications:**

* 1-4 years of software engineering experience (post-internship).
* Proven ability to ship reliable systems or features at scale.
* Strong problem-solving skills. You turn ideas into practical, maintainable solutions.
* High ownership. You are excited to roll up your sleeves and figure things out that don’t have precedent at Plaid.
* Collaborative mindset. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy working with others to deliver results.
* Growth oriented. You seek feedback, learn quickly, and take pride in improving your craft.

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).