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Back End Programming Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Commure

Staff Backend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... Programming Skills (We use Python and Go) • General Understanding of Containers and Cloud (Docker, Kubernetes) • Strong debugging and problem-solving skills and a history of demonstrated ...

HackerRank Careers

Backend Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA

$150K - $172K/yr

Proficient in at least one modern backend programming language (e.g., Python, Ruby, Go, Java, or Node.js). * Deep understanding of API design principles (REST, GraphQL) and web standards. * Strong ...

10a Labs

Software Engineer, Backend

San Francisco, CA · Remote

$105K - $125K/yr

Proficiency in backend programming languages such as Python, Java, Kotlin, Node.js, or Go and experience building secure systems, APIs, and microservices * Strong understanding of security best ...

Zūm

Staff Engineer, Backend Platform

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$240K - $280K/yr

... backend programming languages: Node.js, Java, or Python. • Hands-on experience deploying and managing applications in cloud environments (AWS or Google Cloud). • Experience building scalable ...

Zūm

Staff Engineer, Backend Platform

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$240K - $280K/yr

... backend programming languages: Node.js, Java, or Python. • Hands-on experience deploying and managing applications in cloud environments (AWS or Google Cloud). • Experience building scalable ...

Commure

Senior Backend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $230K/yr

Strong Backend Programming Skills (We use Python and Go) * General Understanding of Containers and Cloud (Docker, Kubernetes) * Track record of strong execution and ability to drive work from ...

10a Labs

Software Engineer, Backend

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$105K - $125K/yr

Proficiency in backend programming languages such as Python, Java, Kotlin, Node.js, or Go and experience building secure systems, APIs, and microservices * Strong understanding of security best ...

Commure Athelas

Senior Backend Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$170K - $230K/yr

Strong Backend Programming Skills (We use Python and Go) * General Understanding of Containers and Cloud (Docker, Kubernetes) * Track record of strong execution and ability to drive work from ...

Commure

Senior Backend Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$170K - $230K/yr

Strong Backend Programming Skills (We use Python and Go) * General Understanding of Containers and Cloud (Docker, Kubernetes) * Track record of strong execution and ability to drive work from ...

SPAN

Staff Backend Software Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

... common backend programming language and a desire to work with Kotlin, TypeScript, and Python • Strong JVM expertise with deep understanding of JVM internals, performance tuning, and memory ...

D3

Backend Engineer - New Grad

Los Angeles, CA

Familiarity with at least one backend programming language (e.g., JavaScript/Node.js, Python, or similar). * Basic knowledge of databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL. * Understanding of version ...

D3

Backend Engineer - New Grad

Los Angeles, CA

Familiarity with at least one backend programming language (e.g., JavaScript/Node.js, Python, or similar). * Basic knowledge of databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL. * Understanding of version ...

D3

Backend Engineer - New Grad

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Familiarity with at least one backend programming language (e.g., JavaScript/Node.js, Python, or similar). * Basic knowledge of databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL. * Understanding of version ...

GLOBAL IT CON LLC

Backend Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA

Backend Engineer Data Location: Sunnyvale, CA (Onsite) Duration: 6-12+ Months Experience: 6-8+ years Ex- Apple is must Look for people from product based companies / startup / [Paypal / Netflix ...

Nexusflow.ai Inc.

Backend Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... beyond simplified programming interfaces for generative AI. Nexusflow tackles this challenge ... Our Backend Engineers package up our technology in models and last-mile quality tooling. Our ...

HackerRank Careers

Backend Engineer II

Santa Clara, CA · On-site +1

$150K - $172K/yr

Proficient in at least one modern backend programming language (e.g., Python, Ruby, Go, Java, or Node.js). * Deep understanding of API design principles (REST, GraphQL) and web standards. * Strong ...

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Back End Programming information

What are some common challenges faced by back end programmers when working on cross-functional teams?

Back end programmers often collaborate closely with front end developers, designers, and product managers, which can present challenges such as aligning technical back end solutions with user-facing requirements and timelines. Communication gaps may occur when translating business goals into technical tasks or integrating APIs with front end components. Staying adaptable and maintaining clear documentation can help back end programmers ensure smooth collaboration and project success in a cross-functional environment.

What is back end programming?

Back end programming refers to the development of server-side logic, databases, and application programming interfaces (APIs) that power the functionality of web and mobile applications. Back end programmers write code that handles data storage, processing, and security, allowing the front end (what users see) to interact with servers and databases. Common back end languages include Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, and Node.js. These developers ensure that applications run smoothly, securely, and efficiently behind the scenes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Back End Programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Back End Programmer, you need strong proficiency in server-side languages (such as Java, Python, or Node.js), knowledge of databases (SQL/NoSQL), and a solid understanding of algorithms and data structures. Familiarity with frameworks (like Django, Spring, or Express), RESTful API development, and version control systems (e.g., Git) is typically required, along with relevant certifications or a computer science degree. Problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with teams and troubleshooting complex issues. These competencies ensure robust, scalable, and maintainable back end systems that support seamless application performance.

What is the difference between Back End Programming vs Front End Development?

AspectBack End ProgrammingFront End Development
Primary FocusServer-side logic, databases, application architectureUser interface, website layout, client-side interactions
Required SkillsProgramming languages like Java, Python, Ruby; database management; server managementHTML, CSS, JavaScript; UI/UX design; responsive design
Work EnvironmentBackend servers, cloud platforms, databasesWeb browsers, design tools, client devices
Common CertificationsOracle Java Certification, AWS Certified DeveloperCertified Web Developer, Adobe Certified Expert

Back End Programming focuses on server-side development, managing databases, and application logic, while Front End Development centers on creating the visual and interactive aspects of websites. Both roles are essential for full-stack development but differ in skills, tools, and daily tasks.

What are popular job titles related to Back End Programming jobs in California? For Back End Programming jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Back End Programming jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Back End Programming jobs in California are:
Back End Programming jobs near you
Infographic showing various Back End Programming job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Senior Backend Engineer

HackerRank Careers

Santa Clara, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

HackerRank helps companies like NVIDIA, Amazon, and Microsoft hire and upskill the next generation of developers based on skills, not pedigree. Our platform is trusted by over 2,500 of the world's most innovative companies to build strong engineering teams ready for what's next.
Software has entered an era where humans and AI build side by side. As this shift accelerates, the definition of strong technical talent is changing. We give companies better ways to identify and invest in next-generation skills.
People at HackerRank care deeply about the impact of their work and sweat the small details so our customers can be wildly successful with products they genuinely love to use. We move with urgency and believe great outcomes come from high standards.
About the role
Every day, millions of developers use HackerRank to prove their skills. We're looking for a Senior Backend Software Development Engineer who can drive the technical direction of critical backend systems and lead the delivery of high-impact, platform-level initiatives. You will own the architecture and evolution of core backend services, mentor engineers across teams, and be a key technical decision-maker ensuring our platform remains fast, reliable, and scalable as we grow our global user base.
What you'll do
  • Architect, design, and lead the implementation of complex backend systems and services that power core product experiences at scale.
  • Define and drive technical strategy for your domain, making key decisions on system design, technology choices, and long-term architectural direction.
  • Own the end-to-end reliability and performance of critical backend services, establishing SLOs, monitoring, and incident response best practices.
  • Design scalable API frameworks and data models that serve as foundations for multiple product teams and external integrations.
  • Lead cross-functional technical initiatives spanning multiple teams, coordinating with frontend, infrastructure, product, and design stakeholders.
  • Identify and drive large-scale refactoring efforts, tackling tech debt and evolving legacy systems into modern, maintainable architectures.
  • Mentor and grow engineers on the team through design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on technical guidance.
  • Contribute to engineering-wide standards, tooling, and processes that raise the bar for code quality and developer productivity.
Who you are
  • Senior backend engineer with 3-6 years of experience building and operating production backend systems at scale.
  • Expert in at least one modern backend programming language (e.g., Python, Ruby, Go, Java, or Node.js) with strong fundamentals across the stack.
  • Proven ability to design and build distributed systems - you've made meaningful architectural decisions around service decomposition, data consistency, fault tolerance, and observability.
  • Deep expertise with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL stores, including schema design, query optimization, and data modeling for high-throughput workloads.
  • Strong understanding of caching strategies (Redis/Memcached), asynchronous messaging (Kafka/RabbitMQ), and event-driven architectures.
  • Hands-on experience with containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure-as-code practices.
  • Track record of leading technical projects from ambiguous problem statements through to production delivery.
AI fluency
  • Deep, hands-on proficiency with AI-powered development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code) - you don't just use them, you've developed workflows and best practices around them that you can teach others.
  • Strong working knowledge of LLMs and agentic AI systems - you understand model capabilities, limitations, context management, tool use, and can reason about when and how to integrate AI into backend systems.
  • Proven ability to leverage AI across the full software development lifecycle: architecture exploration, implementation, code review, test generation, documentation, incident analysis, and technical writing.
  • Solid understanding of AI/ML fundamentals: transformer architectures, embedding models, inference optimization, RAG patterns, fine-tuning vs. prompt engineering trade-offs, and evaluation methodologies.
  • Ability to evaluate and make technical recommendations on AI tooling, APIs, and integration patterns for your team and domain - including cost, latency, reliability, and security considerations.
  • You actively follow developments in AI research and tooling, can separate hype from real engineering value, and drive adoption of AI-augmented practices within your team.
Even better if you have
  • Experience designing and operating systems serving millions of concurrent users with strict latency and availability requirements.
  • Deep expertise in system design patterns such as Microservices, CQRS, Event Sourcing, or Domain-Driven Design, with real-world application.
  • Significant experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), including serverless architectures, managed services, and cost optimization.
  • Experience building platform-level APIs, SDKs, or developer tools consumed by internal or external engineering teams.
  • A history of driving engineering culture improvements - whether through RFC processes, architecture review boards, or engineering blog contributions.
You will thrive in this role if
  • You think beyond the immediate task and consider the long-term health, extensibility, and operational cost of the systems you build.
  • You take ownership not just of your own code, but of the overall quality and direction of the systems your team delivers.
  • You are energized by ambiguity - you can take a loosely defined problem, structure it, and drive it to a well-engineered solution.
  • You lead by influence, earning trust through strong technical judgment and a collaborative, ego-free approach.
  • You genuinely enjoy making other engineers better through mentorship, knowledge sharing, and raising the engineering bar.
Compensation
The base salary range for this role is $150,000 - $172,000, plus a target 10% annual bonus tied to individual and company performance. You will also receive equity (stock options) and a comprehensive package of cash and non-cash benefits.
Want to learn more about HackerRank? Check out HackerRank.com to explore our products, solutions and resources, and dive into our story and mission here.
HackerRank is a proud equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. We provide equal opportunity to everyone for employment based on individual performance and qualification. We never discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital, veteran, or disability status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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Notice to prospective HackerRank job applicants:
  • Our Recruiters use @hackerrank.com email addresses.
  • We never ask for payment or credit check information to apply, interview, or work here.

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