Senior Back End Engineer
Troveo AI · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $225,000 / year
- United States
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Job highlights
- Build scalable backend systems for AI data platform.
- Operate production workloads using Kubernetes and Elasticsearch.
- Design fault-tolerant, highly available distributed systems.
- Optimize application performance and reliability.
- Mentor engineers on distributed systems and Kubernetes.
About the role
About Troveo
Troveo builds the data platform that AI labs and model builders need to train the next generation of models. We have created the world's largest licensed platform of scarce, proprietary data for AI, spanning video, audio, text, and business workflows. Troveo indexes, enriches, and packages this high-quality data into formats ready for training, fine-tuning, evaluation, and agentic use cases. Backed by top investors, we’re a small, high-impact team solving one of the biggest bottlenecks in AI development.
About The Role
We are hiring a Senior Backend Software Engineer with deep expertise in building scalable, reliable systems. You will design and operate backend services that run in distributed environments, with strong experience in Elasticsearch, container orchestration, and distributed systems principles. This is a high-impact senior role where you will own complex backend systems end-to-end while driving best practices in distributed architecture and observability.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs using microservices architecture
- Build and operate production workloads on Kubernetes (deployments, services, ingress, autoscaling, Helm, etc.)
- Work extensively with Elasticsearch - indexing, querying, aggregations, performance tuning, and cluster management
- Apply distributed systems concepts to design fault-tolerant, highly available, and scalable systems
- Optimize application performance and reliability in distributed and containerized environments
- Design and implement robust CI/CD pipelines with GitOps and Kubernetes-native deployments
- Troubleshoot complex issues across services, Kubernetes clusters, and Elasticsearch
- Improve system observability, monitoring, and alerting in distributed environments
- Participate in architectural decisions and mentor engineers on distributed systems and Kubernetes best practices
- Collaborate with platform teams to evolve internal tooling and developer experience
Requirements
- 10+ years of professional software engineering experience (strong backend focus)
- Strong hands-on experience with Kubernetes (minimum 3+ years running production workloads)
- Solid experience working with Elasticsearch (indexing strategies, query optimization, cluster scaling, etc.)
- Strong understanding of distributed systems concepts (consistency models, partitioning, replication, consensus, failure handling, CAP theorem, etc.)
- Proficiency in at least one backend language: Go, Python, Java, or TypeScript
- Experience with Docker and container orchestration
- Experience with cloud-managed Kubernetes (EKS, GKE, or AKS)
- Good understanding of microservices architecture and inter-service communication patterns
- Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases
- Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform preferred)
Nice to Have
- Experience with GitOps tools (Argo CD / Flux)
- Knowledge of service mesh (Istio, Linkerd)
- Experience with workflow orchestration tools (Temporal, Airflow, etc.)
- Background in building or operating search-heavy systems
- Experience with observability stacks (Prometheus, Grafana, OpenTelemetry, ELK stack)
- Contributions to open-source projects related to Kubernetes or distributed systems
Compensation
Base Salary: $185,000 – $225,000 (depending on experience and location). Equity: Competitive equity package in a well-funded AI startup with significant upside. Compensation is location-adjusted for cost of living. We are open to candidates in California, New York, and select other states.
What we offer
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage (100% employer-paid for employees)
- Flexible PTO & Paid Holidays: Unlimited PTO with encouragement to actually use it
- Remote First Policy: Work from anywhere in the US (with occasional team offsites)
- Learning & Growth: Annual learning stipend, access to top conferences, and direct mentorship from experienced founders
- Equity Ownership: Competitive equity package with clear growth potential as we scale
- Modern Tech Stack & Tools: Budget for the best equipment and software
- Strong Culture: High-trust, low-ego environment focused on impact, transparency, and work-life balance
We believe great work happens when people are supported, challenged, and given ownership.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Troveo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Key skills/competency
- Senior Backend Software Engineer
- Kubernetes
- Elasticsearch
- Distributed Systems
- Microservices
- Go
- Python
- Java
- TypeScript
- CI/CD
Skills & topics
- Backend Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Kubernetes
- Elasticsearch
- Distributed Systems
- Microservices
- Go
- Python
- Java
- TypeScript
- CI/CD
- AI
- Data Platform
- Senior Engineer
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 10+ years of backend experience, Kubernetes, and Elasticsearch expertise.
- Showcase distributed systems knowledge: Emphasize understanding of fault tolerance, scalability, and microservices.
- Demonstrate Kubernetes proficiency: Detail experience running production workloads on Kubernetes.
- Address technical skills: Mention proficiency in Go, Python, Java, or TypeScript, and Docker.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Be ready to discuss system design, Kubernetes, and Elasticsearch challenges.
Technical preparation
Master Kubernetes concepts: deployments, services, autoscaling.,Deep dive into Elasticsearch: indexing, querying, tuning.,Practice distributed systems design patterns.,Build a project using Go, Python, Java, or TypeScript.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex system you designed end-to-end.,How have you mentored junior engineers?,Discuss a time you improved system observability.,How do you handle disagreements on architecture?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the expected experience level for the Senior Backend Software Engineer role at Troveo AI?
- Troveo AI is seeking a Senior Backend Software Engineer with over 10 years of professional software engineering experience, with a strong backend focus. Deep, hands-on experience with Kubernetes (minimum 3 years running production workloads) and Elasticsearch is also a key requirement.
- What programming languages are preferred for this Senior Backend Engineer position?
- The Senior Backend Software Engineer role requires proficiency in at least one of the following backend languages: Go, Python, Java, or TypeScript. Experience with Docker and container orchestration is also essential.
- What are the primary responsibilities of a Senior Backend Software Engineer at Troveo AI?
- Key responsibilities include designing and maintaining scalable backend services and APIs using microservices architecture, operating production workloads on Kubernetes, extensive work with Elasticsearch, and applying distributed systems concepts to build fault-tolerant systems. You will also optimize performance, implement CI/CD pipelines, and improve system observability.
- Does Troveo AI offer remote work for this Senior Backend Engineer role?
- Yes, Troveo AI has a Remote First Policy, allowing candidates to work from anywhere in the US. Occasional team offsites may be required.
- What is the compensation range for the Senior Backend Software Engineer at Troveo AI?
- The base salary for this role ranges from $185,000 to $225,000, depending on experience and location. A competitive equity package is also offered. Compensation is location-adjusted.
- What benefits does Troveo AI offer its employees?
- Troveo AI offers comprehensive health benefits (100% employer-paid), flexible PTO, paid holidays, an annual learning stipend, access to conferences, direct mentorship, and a competitive equity package.
- What is Troveo AI's stance on diversity and inclusion?
- Troveo AI is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. They celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment, prohibiting discrimination based on various factors.
- What kind of experience with Elasticsearch is required for the Senior Backend role?
- Solid experience working with Elasticsearch is required, including indexing strategies, query optimization, cluster scaling, and performance tuning. This role involves extensive work with Elasticsearch for indexing, querying, and aggregations.
- Are candidates outside of California and New York considered for the Senior Backend Engineer position?
- Yes, Troveo AI is open to candidates in California, New York, and select other states within the US, with compensation adjusted for location.
- What are the 'nice to have' skills for the Senior Backend Software Engineer role at Troveo AI?
- Nice-to-have skills include experience with GitOps tools (Argo CD, Flux), service mesh (Istio, Linkerd), workflow orchestration tools (Temporal, Airflow), building search-heavy systems, and familiarity with observability stacks like Prometheus and Grafana.