Senior Software Engineer, Backend, Infrastructure Focus

Kira

Senior backend engineer building scalable infrastructure for Kira Learning’s AI-powered education platform. Owning backend systems, reliability, developer tooling, and end-to-end product delivery.

Posted 9/10/2026full-timeNew York City • California, New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $180,000 - $250,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in backend software engineering with a focus on Kotlin and Python, alongside strong capabilities in API design, cloud infrastructure management, and technical leadership. Proven ability to mentor engineers and drive technical decisions in dynamic environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Backend Experience With KotlinAPI DesignCloud Infrastructure Management (AWS)Technical LeadershipMentoring Junior Engineers

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

KotlinPythonGoRustScalaAPI DesignRelational Databases (MySQL)Automated TestingCI/CD PipelinesFrontend Experience With React

Soft Skills

Clear Communication SkillsPositive AttitudeAttention To Detail

Tools & Technologies

Cloud Infrastructure (AWS)Developer ToolingIncident Response

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree In Computer ScienceMaster’s Degree In Computer Science

Industry Keywords

Production SystemsFast-Paced Startup EnvironmentTechnical DirectionUX DesignMentorship

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSCloudGoKotlinMySQLPythonReactRustScalaTypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own core backend systems and infrastructure powering critical product workflows
Ship impactful, end-to-end features improving student and teacher experiences
Help set and evolve technical direction and translate business goals into pragmatic technical plans
Improve code quality, observability, CI/CD, and developer tooling
Address performance, scalability, security, reliability, and incident response
Partner with product managers and designers on UX, interaction design, and execution
Participate in prototyping, testing, rollout, and ongoing support
Provide technical leadership through design discussions, code reviews, and mentorship
Work from the New York City or San Francisco office in person four days per week; Wednesdays are work from home

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, or equivalent technical experience
8+ years of professional software engineering experience or equivalent practical experience
Strong backend experience with Kotlin, Python, Go, Rust, or Scala; willingness to ramp up on Kira’s stack (Kotlin, Python)
Ability to own technical decisions and execute with minimal guidance in ambiguous environments
Hands-on experience operating production systems and cloud infrastructure, ideally AWS
Experience designing APIs, working with relational databases such as MySQL, and shipping complex systems
2+ years experience mentoring and/or managing junior and mid-level engineers
Familiarity with automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and reliable deployment practices
Clear written and verbal communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, early-stage startup environment with changing priorities
Positive, can-do attitude
Impeccable attention to detail
Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Extensive frontend experience with React and TypeScript preferred
Experience integrating LLM-backed services preferred

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation and equity
Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
Medical insurance plan with 100% coverage of employee
DoorDash credit for lunch daily