Software Engineer, Backend – Level 5

SNAP/SNAP

. Design, implement, and operate critical and scalable services, including user identity services, friend graph, and core persistence layer .

Posted 10/22/2026full-timeUnited StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $209,000 - $313,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and implementing scalable backend services, with a strong focus on distributed systems, operational excellence, and leveraging AI tools for enhanced performance and security. Proven ability to collaborate across teams to deliver innovative solutions while maintaining high standards of code quality and system availability.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Distributed Systems ExperienceJava, C++, Python ProficiencyMicroservices ArchitectureCloud Computing ExpertiseOperational Excellence

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Software DevelopmentBackend ServicesMicroservicesDistributed SystemsAI Tools ProficiencyIncident InvestigationCode CorrectnessSecurity PracticesPerformance AuditingScalable Service Design

Soft Skills

CollaborationAdaptability

Tools & Technologies

NoSQL SolutionsMemcacheRedisKubernetesGoogle Cloud ServicesAWS Services

Industry Keywords

Operational ExcellenceHigh AvailabilityCost ManagementScalabilityInfrastructure Design

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSCloudDistributed SystemsJavaKubernetesMicroservicesNoSQLPythonRedisC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, implement, and operate critical and scalable services, including user identity services, friend graph, and core persistence layer
Work across teams to understand product requirements, evaluate trade-offs, and deliver solutions for innovative products
Evaluate, test, and debug work while striving for high quality
Advocate for and apply best practices in availability, scalability, operational excellence, and cost management
Use AI tools and high-velocity engineering workflows to design and ship scalable services while maintaining code correctness, security, and production-ready quality

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant technical field such as computer science or equivalent years of practical work experience
6+ years of post-Bachelor’s software development experience; or Master’s degree in a technical field + 5+ years of post-grad software development experience; or PhD in a relevant technical field + 2+ years of post-grad software development experience
Experience with distributed systems
Experience with backend services or distributed systems
Experience in at least one of: large-scale microservices and distributed systems; cloud computing and storage systems; infrastructure and large-scale system design; security; networking and data storage; machine learning and natural language processing
Proven track record of operating highly-available systems at significant scale
Experience with Java, C++, and/or Python
Experience with NoSQL solutions, Memcache/Redis, Kubernetes, or Google/AWS services
Ability to independently execute medium sized features over a few weeks and multiple PRs
Understanding of operational aspects, including incident or hotfix investigation and resolution
Ability to collaborate and work well with others
Proficiency in, or strong aptitude for, leveraging AI tools and auditing generated output for architectural integrity, performance, and security
Adaptability in learning and applying evolving AI systems and tools

Benefits

Comp & perks

Paid parental leave
Comprehensive medical coverage
Emotional and mental health support programs
Compensation packages that let employees share in Snap’s long-term success
Equity in the form of RSUs