Archived listing. The details below describe a past opening.
About Pepper Pepper is the modern commerce platform purpose‑built for food distributors. Funded by Greylock, Index, and Iconiq, we power ordering, fulfillment, and analytics so that independent distributors can compete and win in the digital era. We’re looking for a driven, talented Senior Backend Engineer to help us build out our infrastructure and systems as we continue to scale. What You’ll Do
Build Scalable Backend Systems: Design, develop, and maintain robust, high-performance backend services in Python. Design Foundational Architectures: Contribute to the design, development, and evolution of backend system architectures, ensuring scalability, reliability, and efficiency in all solutions delivered. Support Global Infrastructure: Work closely with devops to build and support the infrastructure that serves our business and our customers in multiple regions around the world. Manage Databases Effectively: Design, implement, and optimize SQL and NoSQL databases, ensuring data integrity, scalability, and efficient access patterns for all backend services. Optimize Performance: Analyze and optimize backend performance to ensure applications are fast, efficient, and reliable at scale. Solve Complex Problems: Lead debugging and problem-solving efforts to quickly resolve technical issues, reduce incident impacts, and maintain high system availability. Mentor and Lead: Guide, mentor, and coach other engineers to develop their skills, grow their impact, and foster a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence. Grow With the Role: Expand your leadership in architecture design and backend innovation, with opportunities to grow into Staff or Lead Backend Engineer roles as the team scales.
What We're Looking For
5+ years of experience in backend development, with a strong focus on building and deploying scalable services using Python. Advanced programming skills in Python, with deep expertise in developing backend systems and RESTful APIs. Proven experience with SQL and NoSQL databases, including designing schemas, managing data integrity, and optimizing performance at scale. Solid understanding of software architecture design and implementation, with the ability to contribute to and guide architectural decisions. Experience working with AWS and cloud technologies, including designing, deploying, and managing backend applications, serverless functions, and data pipelines in cloud environments. Hands-on experience with infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform or CloudFormation to automate and manage backend infrastructure. Strong problem-solving skills with expertise in debugging complex issues, resolving incidents efficiently, and maintaining high system availability. Proficiency in performance optimization, ensuring backend systems are fast, efficient, and reliable under load. Deep understanding and application of security best practices in backend development to ensure data privacy and system protection. Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach engineers, enhancing team skill sets and fostering technical growth. Comfortable working collaboratively with cross-functional teams including front-end, QA, DevOps, and product stakeholders. Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences. Adaptable, practical, and proactive with a startup mindset, thriving in fast-moving environments and navigating ambiguity with confidence. Excited to tackle complex, undefined backend challenges, drive continuous improvement, and build systems that enable innovative products and experiences.
Nice-to-Haves
Exposure to CI/CD pipelines using tools such as GitHub Actions, CircleCI, or similar, to ensure smooth and reliable deployments. Familiarity with DevOps practices and collaboration with DevOps teams to optimize system reliability and scalability. Knowledge of microservices architectures, including designing and integrating backend services in distributed systems. Exposure to AI or ML-driven products, including understanding how backend systems support data pipelines and intelligent features. Understanding of security compliance frameworks, data privacy, and implementation of role-based access controls. Familiarity with project management and team collaboration tools such as Notion, Asana, or Trello to support cross-team initiatives. Experience in startup environments, demonstrating adaptability and a proactive approach to building backend systems from scratch or scaling rapidly. Comfort working with ambiguous, complex challenges, contributing creative and practical solutions to undefined problems.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
A collaborative, growth-minded team High-impact role building a new core platform from the ground up Competitive compensation and benefits Flexibility to work remotely from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada Direct ownership of systems that touch real-world customer infrastructure
