Software Engineer, Backend

PlaidPlaid·Remote(New York City Office)
Software Development

WFA Digital Insight

The demand for skilled backend engineers in the financial tech sector has surged, with a notable 27% increase in job postings over the past year. As companies like Plaid continue to innovate and expand their services, the need for talented professionals who can design and build secure, efficient systems has never been greater. With Plaid's commitment to empowering financial transformation, this role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven company. Before applying, candidates should be prepared to showcase their problem-solving skills, collaborative mindset, and ability to deliver high-quality code.

Job Description

About the Role

As a Software Engineer on the backend team at Plaid, you will play a crucial role in designing and building the systems that power the connection between millions of users and their financial institutions. Your work will have a direct impact on the company's mission to unlock financial freedom for everyone. You will be part of a team that values collaboration, continuous improvement, and a growth-oriented mindset.

The backend engineering team at Plaid is responsible for developing and maintaining the scalable, reliable systems and APIs that support the company's products. As a member of this team, you will work closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define and deliver features that solve real customer problems. You will be expected to take ownership of your work, participate in code reviews, and contribute to the technical design discussions that shape the company's engineering practices.

Plaid's engineering team is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. The company recognizes that strong qualifications can come from both prior work experiences and lived experiences, and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

What You Will Do

  • Design and build scalable, reliable backend systems and APIs that power Plaid's products
  • Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other engineers to define and deliver features that solve real customer problems
  • Write clean, efficient, and well-tested code, and participate in code reviews to maintain high engineering standards
  • Build automated tests, monitor system performance, and troubleshoot issues in production environments
  • Contribute to technical design discussions, share best practices, and help improve how we build at Plaid
  • Work closely with the product team to understand customer needs and develop solutions that meet those needs
  • Participate in the development of the company's technical roadmap and strategy
  • Collaborate with the engineering team to identify and prioritize technical debt and opportunities for improvement
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation to support the engineering team and other stakeholders

What We Are Looking For

  • 1-4 years of software engineering experience, with a focus on backend development
  • Proven ability to ship reliable systems or features at scale
  • Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn ideas into practical, maintainable solutions
  • High ownership, with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and figure things out that don’t have precedent at Plaid
  • Collaborative mindset, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and work effectively with others to deliver results
  • Growth-oriented, with a desire to seek feedback, learn quickly, and take pride in improving your craft
  • Experience with languages such as Java, Python, or C++, and familiarity with cloud-based technologies such as AWS or Google Cloud
  • Strong understanding of computer science fundamentals, including data structures, algorithms, and software design patterns

Nice to Have

  • Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker, and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes
  • Familiarity with agile development methodologies, and experience working in a CI/CD environment
  • Knowledge of security best practices, and experience with security auditing and compliance

Benefits and Perks

  • Competitive salary and equity package
  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Flexible PTO policy, with a minimum of 15 days per year
  • Remote work stipend, to support your home office setup
  • Access to a 401(k) plan, with company matching
  • Opportunities for professional development, including training and conference sponsorships

How to Stand Out

  • Be prepared to showcase your problem-solving skills, and provide examples of times when you had to debug complex issues or optimize system performance.
  • Highlight your experience with backend development, and be ready to discuss your approach to designing and building scalable systems.
  • Emphasize your ability to work collaboratively, and provide examples of times when you effectively communicated technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Make sure your resume and online profiles are up-to-date, and that you have a strong understanding of the company's mission and values.
  • Prepare to talk about your experience with cloud-based technologies, and be ready to discuss the trade-offs between different approaches to system design.

This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.