Senior Backend Engineer

Job description

We're looking for a **Senior Backend Engineer** to join **our backend team at Zerion.** This team builds and evolves the backend systems at the core of our products and customer-facing solutions. In this role, you'll design and operate distributed systems, work with Web3 infrastructure, and collaborate closely with product, support, and the clients building on our API to deliver reliable, scalable solutions. We value strong ownership, thoughtful system design, and a high bar for code quality. If you enjoy building solid systems, moving fast without cutting corners, and using AI as a core part of how you work, you'll feel right at home with us. ### What You’ll Do - Design, build, and maintain **scalable distributed backend systems** powering platform and product capabilities. - Own **backend services end-to-end**: from architecture and implementation to monitoring and long-term reliability. - Work closely with **product and engineering peers** to actively shape product decisions — not just execute specs. - Scope **solutions with the clients** building on our API: turn a vague request into a concrete proposal, and the proposal into a plan the team can build. - Build and evolve **Web3 platform backend components**, including protocol integrations, support for newly emerging blockchain networks, and reliable interactions with smart contracts. - Ensure **high standards of code quality**, performance, security, and observability. - Operate comfortably in a **fast-paced startup environment**, balancing speed and correctness. - **Use AI as a core part** of your engineering workflow — designing, reviewing, debugging and shipping with it. This is how the team works day to day, not an experiment we're running. - Contribute to **technical discussions**, reviews, and mentorship within the engineering team. ### What We’re Looking For - **5+ years** of experience designing and building **distributed backend systems**. - Strong knowledge of **algorithms, data structures, and software design patterns**. - Comfortable working in a **fast-paced startup environment**. - Strong desire to **actively contribute to product evolution**, not just implementation. - Comfortable **working directly with customers** — hearing a vague problem and coming back with a concrete proposal. - Hands-on, **daily use of AI in your engineering work**. You should be able to talk concretely about where it has changed how you build, and where you've learned not to trust it. - High standards for **code quality, system reliability, and user experience** — you care about getting it right, not just getting it done. - Strong **ownership mindset** — you take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks. - Clear and proactive **communication** in a distributed team. - Pragmatic decision-making: knowing when to **move fast vs. go deep**. - Ability to **learn quickly and adapt**. ### Technical Skill Set - Excellent knowledge of **Golang is a plus, not a blocker.** - Experience with **containerized systems**: Docker & Kubernetes. - Experience with **databases**: - SQL: Postgres - NoSQL: MongoDB, Cassandra - Experience with **monitoring and observability tools**: Sentry, Prometheus, Grafana. - Hands-on experience with **AWS (Amazon Web Services)**. - Experience with **Python 3**. - Comfort experimenting with and integrating **AI-assisted workflows** into daily engineering work. ### Bonus Points - **Hands-on Web3 experience:** Blockchain systems, dApps, Smart contracts. - Prior experience in a **startup environment** that emphasizes **trust and autonomy**. - Located in **time zones close to Europe** for smoother collaboration. - **Collaborative mindset** and respect for different perspectives. - Curiosity and willingness to **challenge existing solutions** when better ones exist. ### Interview Process - **Screening Call** – 30 minutes - **Hiring Manager Interview** – 45 minutes - **Technical Interview** – 90 minutes (includes a real-world challenge where you'll work with AI tools directly) - **System Design Interview** – 90 minutes - **Team Interview** – 60 minutes - **Founders Call** – up to 60 minutes - **Reference Check**