Lead Backend Engineer - Personalization (all genders)
Core
Lead Backend Engineer owning complex backend systems in Search, Recommendations, or Sorting to create personalized shopping experiences for millions of customers.
Role type
Senior IC Lead Backend Engineer (Personalization)
Builds
Scalable high-throughput, low-latency services combining ML models, search, ranking algorithms, and business logic.
Domain
E-commerce, Search, Recommendations, Ranking, Personalization
Deliverable
production ML models | product features
Required skills
Backend architecture, distributed systems, APIs, data stores, performance optimization, algorithmic thinking, ML integration (serving scores/embeddings), technical ownership, code quality, architectural decision-making
Preferred skills
Search/Recommender Systems/Ranking expertise, Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, Redis/Valkey, LLMs/embeddings/vector search, Learning-to-Rank, AWS/GCP, BigQuery/dbt/Dagster, e-commerce domain experience
Technologies
Node.js/TypeScript, Java, Go, Kotlin, Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, Redis, Valkey, AWS, GCP, BigQuery, dbt, Dagster
Responsibilities
Take technical ownership of complex backend systems from concept to production; Shape architecture of high-throughput, low-latency services; Build and operate backend systems combining ML models and business logic; Drive technical decisions across team boundaries; Mentor and support fellow engineers; Explore new technologies and approaches
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC with leadership responsibilities