Principal Backend Engineer (Node.js Expert)

Flatfile is full of builders driven by a dual desire to make cool stuff and create tangible value. We pride ourselves in obsessing over the details but also grounding our decision-making and pace in whether we’re doing what’s in the best interest of our end users.

This is an exciting role because it sits at the nexus of everything we’re doing at Flatfile. Whether it’s leveraging AI to transform data, optimizing the performance of our data engine, or building new collaborative features into our workflow product, this role has a broad scope.

This role reports to: Jon Bell, VP of Product

This role may be listed at other companies as:

• Distinguished Backend Engineer

• Lead Backend Engineer

• Senior Staff Backend Engineer

Why are we hiring for this now?

Flatfile is a post-product market fit startup with rapidly accelerating growth, tons of runway, a lean, hungry, and sharp team playing for a huge outcome. We’re closing massive enterprise deals and evolving our platform quickly to scale with the growing demand. We have an ambitious roadmap ahead of us and need someone excited to lead the charge on many of these customer-impacting projects. From optimizing our event-driven system to scaling our industry-leading data engine, opportunities abound.

We want you to be a part of this.

Tech Stack

In this role, you’ll use Node (Nest.js), Prisma, Postgres, Git, Flatfile’s homegrown data engine, and utilize AI for performance gains on a daily basis.

In this role, you will:

• Design and build backend services that power our scaling data exchange platform
• Provide leadership and guidance to internal team members on the implementation of architecture and system designs
• Developing and enhancing complex data structures to support enterprise use cases
• Own feature delivery from solution design to product operation and iteration
• Implement strategies to minimize data mapping errors, improve data accuracy, and establish performance benchmarks to ensure exceptional system performance 
• Improve usability through refined micro-interactions and interface design, as well as developing AI-powered features to assist users in managing, analyzing, and resolving data issues
• Share responsibility for responding to critical incidents as needed. Like all other teams, we are responsible for the reliability of the systems we build
• Contribute to, enable, and implement new AI models and features in partnership with our Applied AI team
• Fix bugs (of course)

Consider applying if you have:

• 10+ years experience in a production environment, with significant contributions to the design, architecture, and optimization of distributed systems
• Expertise in backend technologies, specifically Node, Postgres, and Redis
• Demonstrated capability to innovate and optimize at the system level
• Led all phases of software development, including ideation, product specification, prototyping, designing, and implementation. This role has a mix of both hands-on development as well as lead/architecture work
• A proven track record of raising the bar for technical standards, performance, reliability, and operational excellence

While many Engineering roles are similar, Flatfile’s Engineering roles are unique. With that in mind, you should pass on applying if:

• You don’t want to own decisions on how to approach technical problems and expect a lead or manager to make the final call. Our leads and managers provide feedback, but you will ship what you build and be accountable for it
• You refrain from engaging in or find it challenging to handle debates about the future state of products. We need someone who can have an opinion yet remain open-minded
• You prefer to avoid challenging the status quo or pushing the boundaries of technical possibilities, as this role demands continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies
• You’ve never worked in a fast-paced environment. We move quickly, and if you get frustrated when priorities change rapidly, we’re not the place for you

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents Flatfile's reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Colorado.

Salary: $200,000 - $225,000 annually

Equity: this role is eligible to participate in Flatfile's equity plan

#LI-Remote

#BI-Remote

Reasons you’ll love working here

🫂 Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance for you and your dependents

🏦 401k match. 100% matching for up to 3% and a 50% match for the next 2%

💸 Equity options for all full-time employees

🏠 100% remote work environment

🏖️ Flexible paid time off, with a recommended minimum of 3 weeks

🎨 $10,000 home office makeover with personal access to an interior designer

💻 The best tools to do your work, including a Mac laptop and top-of-the-line hardware.

🏥 24/7 access to a Health Advocate & free annual membership to One Medical

👶 12 weeks of paid family leave

And much more!

Flatfile believes a diverse and inclusive environment is key to building a great company. As such, Flatfile is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an environment that is welcoming for people from all walks of life; we do not discriminate based on race, color, gender identity, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. While we have more work to do to advance diversity and inclusion, we are invested in growth that empowers everyone to succeed.