> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2710893-staff-backend-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2710893-staff-backend-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

---

# Staff Backend Engineer

- **Company:** Sift
- **Location:** Marina del Rey, CA, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** $200,000.0 - $260,000.0
- **Contract:** Temporary contract
- **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Amazon Web Services, Apache HTTP Server, Code Review, Data Infrastructure, Software Debugging, Linux, Distributed Systems, Fault Tolerance, Github, Protocol Buffers, Python (Programming Language), PostgreSQL, Networking Basics, Octopus Deploy, Operational Databases, Performance Tuning, Prometheus, Standard Sql, Data Streaming, TypeScript, Rust (Programming Language), Parquet, Datadog, ReactJS, Grafana, Indexer, Backend, Kubernetes, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Information Technology, Apache Flink, Apache Kafka, Front End Software Development, Grpc, Docker
- **Published:** September 4, 2026
- **Apply:** https://startup.jobs/staff-backend-engineer-sift-stack-inc-8106789

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or another STEM discipline
 * 7+ years of experience in backend or infrastructure roles.
 * Strong understanding of distributed systems fundamentals-state, fault tolerance, recovery.
 * Experience with Go, Rust, or Python, and strong Linux/networking fundamentals.
 * Deep knowledge of SQL and operational database experience (indexing, migrations, tuning).
 * Experience building and scaling APIs (REST, gRPC/Protobuf).
 * Strong debugging skills and a production-first mindset.

Familiarity with Kubernetes, Prometheus, Argo CD, and other modern infrastructure tools., * Experience with streaming or time-series data systems (Kafka, Flink, TimescaleDB, etc.).

 * Experience with performance tuning and profiling at query or service layers.
 * Familiarity with observability tools (Datadog, Grafana).
 * Background in hardware or telemetry-heavy environments., U.S. Person Required: Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual such as an asylee or refugee in compliance with ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) / EAR (Export Administration Regulations) regulations.

## Description

* Design, build, and operate backend systems that process and store large volumes of real-time telemetry data.
 * Own features end-to-end, from design to post-launch improvement.
 * Collaborate with Frontend, Design, and Data teams to ensure features solve real customer problems.
 * Optimize backend systems for performance, scalability, and reliability.
 * Contribute to system evolution-migrating services, introducing caches, and improving storage or indexing layers.
 * Participate in on-call rotations, debugging live issues, and improving observability.
 * Raise the bar through code reviews, shared patterns, and mentorship., You'll join a tight-knit team of world-class engineers building foundational systems for next-gen machines. Technologies you'll work with may include:
 * Frontend & Backend: Go, gRPC, PostgreSQL, Protobuf, React, TypeScript
 * Data Infrastructure: Apache Arrow, DataFusion, Flink, Kafka, Parquet, Rust
 * Ops & Tooling: AWS, Kubernetes, Docker, GitHub Actions, Prometheus, Argo CD, Grafana, Linux


## Related Videos

- [Shipping Faster with Less: Render on Cloud Hosting, AI Workloads, and the Future of DevOps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1894-shipping-faster-with-less-render-on-cloud-hosting-ai-workloads-and-the-future-of-devops)
- [Exploring the Power of gRPC-Gateway for Writing RESTful Services](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2072-exploring-the-power-of-grpc-gateway-for-writing-restful-services)
- [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker)
- [Innovating Developer Tools with AI: Insights from GitHub Next](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1268-innovating-developer-tools-with-ai-insights-from-github-next)
- [Inside Bitpanda's Tech Stack: Scaling a European Fintech Leader - Markus Dorner](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1979-inside-bitpanda-s-tech-stack-scaling-a-european-fintech-leader-markus-dorner)
- [Boosting OpenSearch Performance: gRPC Search in Action](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1964-boosting-opensearch-performance-grpc-search-in-action)

## Related Articles

- [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated)
- [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers)
- [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again)
- [What’s the Difference Between Frontend and Backend Development?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/240-what-s-the-difference-between-frontend-and-backend-development)
- [20 Essential Tools For Backend Development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/218-20-essential-tools-for-backend-development)
- [Find a Developer Job: 12 Best Job Sites For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/165-find-a-developer-job-12-best-job-sites-for-developers)