Back End Developer

Job Title: Back End Developer

Job Summary

We are seeking a skilled Back End Developer to join our engineering team in Chicago. In this role, you will design, develop, and maintain scalable backend systems, focusing on APIs and database management to support our React-based front-end applications. You will collaborate with front-end developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance. This position requires expertise in server-side technologies, with a strong emphasis on PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and API development.

Location

This position requires in-office presence four days per week in downtown Chicago, IL.

Key Responsibilities

• API Development : Design and implement RESTful services to support React front-end applications, ensuring secure, efficient, and scalable data exchange.


• Database Management : Develop and optimize database schemas, queries, and indexes using PostgreSQL (relational) and MongoDB (NoSQL) to support application needs, such as data retrieval for dynamic React components.


• System Architecture : Build and maintain server-side infrastructure (e.g., FastAPI, Django or similar frameworks) to handle business logic, authentication, and data processing.


• Integration and Collaboration : Work closely with React developers to integrate APIs, ensuring compatibility with front-end state management (e.g., Redux, Context API) and data fetching


• Performance Optimization : Identify and resolve backend performance bottlenecks, such as slow database queries or inefficient API endpoints, using techniques like caching, query optimization, or load balancing.


• Security and Scalability : Implement secure practices (e.g., input validation, JWT authentication, CORS) and design systems to handle high traffic and large datasets.


• Testing and Debugging : Write unit and integration tests for APIs and backend logic using tools like Jest, Mocha, or Postman. Debug issues using logging, monitoring, or profiling tools.


• Collaboration and Best Practices : Participate in code reviews, document APIs (e.g., using Swagger/OpenAPI), and stay updated on backend development trends and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Experience : 3+ years in backend development, with at least 2 years working with PostgreSQL and/or MongoDB. Experience building APIs for web applications, preferably with front-end integration.


• Core Technical Skills :
  
  
  
  • Proficient in Java server-side development using Spring Boot and Spring MVC, deploying and running RESTful applications on Apache Tomcat servers.
  
  
  • Proficiency in server-side programming (e.g., Python, JavaScript, or Go) and frameworks like FastAPI, Django, or Express.
  
  
  • Strong knowledge of database design and querying with PostgreSQL (e.g., writing complex SQL queries, indexing) and MongoDB (e.g., aggregation pipelines, schema design).
  
  
  • Experience developing and documenting RESTful APIs for front-end consumption.
  
  
  • Familiarity with authentication/authorization mechanisms (e.g., OAuth, JWT) and API security best practices.
  
  


• Testing and Tools :
  
  
  
  • Experience testing backend systems with tools like Jest, Mocha, or Postman.
  
  
  • Familiarity with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or GCP).
  
  


• Soft Skills : Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and ability to articulate trade-offs (e.g., relational vs. NoSQL databases, REST vs. GraphQL).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating backend systems with React front-end applications, including optimizing API responses for React’s data fetching patterns.


• Familiarity with TypeScript for type-safe API development.


• Knowledge of containerization (e.g., Docker) and orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes) for deploying backend services.


• Experience with microservices architecture or serverless computing.


• Contributions to open-source backend projects or engagement with developer communities.

If you are passionate about building robust backend systems that power high-quality React applications and thrive in a fast-paced environment, apply today! We value diversity and encourage applications from underrepresented groups in tech.