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The Senior Backend Application Engineer will architect scalable backend systems, improve efficiency and reliability, and collaborate across teams to enhance platform capabilities.
Manifest is hiring a seasoned Senior Backend Application Engineer - Architect to architect and scale the core infrastructure behind our data-driven platform. You’ll play a critical role in designing resilient backend systems and high-throughput data flows that support real-time insights for some of the world’s most important organizations. This is a high-impact position for someone excited to solve complex architectural challenges in a fast-moving, high-scale environment.
The impact you will have:
- Design and build robust, scalable backend systems that serve as the foundation for intelligent software workflows
- Drive system architecture and backend design decisions in support of high-volume, low-latency applications
- Partner with cross-functional teams to evolve our platform capabilities in ways that are maintainable, performant, and extensible
- Improve system efficiency, reliability, and scalability as we grow
- Help define and uphold engineering best practices across the organization
As a Senior Backend Application Engineer - Architect:
- Lead the architecture and development of backend services and data processing pipelines
- Design for scale, reliability, and observability to support growing volumes of data and traffic
- Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and designers to shape product features with strong backend considerations
- Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks and technical debt
- Contribute to a strong engineering culture through code reviews, technical discussions, and mentorship
- Continuously assess and refine our backend systems to support evolving business and product needs
We are looking for you to bring the following skills and experience to the team:
- 8+ years of experience in backend software engineering, with a focus on scalable systems and architectural design
- A strong understanding of distributed systems, data flow architecture, and backend performance patterns
- Proven ability to scale high-throughput services and deliver production-quality systems
- Experience working across the software development lifecycle—from concept and design to deployment and monitoring
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced, startup environment
- Comfort learning new tools and languages as needed—technology is a means, not a barrier
Bonus but not required:
- Familiarity with ETL workflows or stream processing architectures
- Exposure to modern backend ecosystems, including API design, microservices, and data infrastructure
- Exposure to AI/ML features or intelligent automation from a product integration standpoint
The benefits of working at Manifest include:
- 🔍 Help organizations get new-found visibility into their software, and be more secure!
- 🌎 Fully remote work (with potential for hybrid co-working)
- 🌴 Unlimited PTO (which we take seriously)
- 🏥 Medical/dental/vision insurance coverage for you and your dependents paid at 100%!
- 💵 Competitive salary & meaningful stock options
- 🏦 401(k) and retirement options
- ⚒️ Help get in at the ground floor of a well-funded, early stage startup!
- 🦄 Additional benefits to come (retirement, holiday gifts, etc.)
Top Skills
Ai/Ml Features
Api Design
Backend Performance Patterns
Data Flow Architecture
Data Infrastructure
Distributed Systems
Etl Workflows
Microservices
Stream Processing Architectures
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