Job Description

The Principal Backend Developer is a high-impact technical leadership role responsible for the architectural vision, scalability, and robust performance of Finaira's core server-side systems. This role serves as the ultimate technical authority for our backend ecosystem, driving the development of the AI-powered FinTech engines that power our global solutions. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between complex business requirements and elegant, high-performance engineering, ensuring our systems are secure, resilient, and future-proof.

The difference you will make

Architect and oversee the design of highly scalable, distributed backend systems and microservices that support Finaira's high-frequency FinTech and AI operations. Define and drive the long-term technical roadmap for the backend stack, ensuring alignment with emerging technologies and long-term business objectives. Lead by example through hands-on development of mission-critical features, setting the gold standard for code quality, security, and performance. Mentor and elevate a team of senior and mid-level developers, fostering a culture of deep technical inquiry, peer review excellence, and continuous learning. Optimize system performance and reliability by identifying bottlenecks, re-engineering legacy components, and implementing sophisticated monitoring and observability patterns. Collaborate closely with Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Frontend Leads to ensure seamless integration of AI models and unified user experience. Establish and enforce engineering best practices, including rigorous API design standards, comprehensive documentation, and advanced CI/CD automation. Mitigate technical debt and risk by making informed build-vs-buy decisions and ensuring architectural consistency across different service domains.

Requirements

What you will bring to the role

Education:

Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience:

o 8+ years of progressive experience in backend software development, with a focus on enterprise-grade distributed systems.


o 3+ years in a Principal, Staff, or Lead Architect role, providing technical direction to multiple engineering squads.


o Proven track record of successfully deploying and maintaining high-traffic, low-latency applications within the FinTech, Banking, or high-scale AI sectors.

Technical Skills:

o Expertise in modern backend languages, with mastery in at least two (e.g., Python, Go, Java, or Node.js).


o Deep understanding of microservices architecture, event-driven design, and message brokers (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ).


o Extensive experience with both SQL (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis) databases, including schema design and query optimization.


o Strong proficiency in cloud-native technologies (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and container orchestration using Kubernetes and Docker.


o Proven track record of building production-grade observability frameworks and SRE practices, including SLA/SLO definition, incident response playbooks, and post-mortem culture for large-scale distributed systems.


o Advanced knowledge of API security standards (OAuth2, OIDC, JWT) and implementing "Security by Design" in financial environments.


o Familiarity with integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) or Machine Learning pipelines into production backend environments.

Soft Skills:

o Strong ownership and accountability for assigned work.


o Clear and professional verbal and written communication.


o Effective time management and task prioritization.


o Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.


o Ability to work independently, collaborate effectively and mentor junior team members.


o Ability to actively listen to customers and accurately understand their needs, expectations, and challenges.


o Adaptability and learning agility in a fast-paced environment.


o Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.


o Receptiveness to feedback and continuous improvement mindset.