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Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

OpenAI

Backend Software Engineer (Evals)

Seattle, WA · On-site

$230K - $385K/yr

About the Role We're looking for a Backend Software Engineer with experience working in ML/LLM-heavy domains to help to design and build an evals infrastructure that measures the quality of OpenAI ...

Microsoft

Back-End Software Engineer II

Redmond, WA · On-site

As a (back-end) Software Engineer II on the MLE team, you will be responsible for making changes to ensure we have a scalable, reliable, and performant service. This opportunity will allow you to ...

Coupang

Sr. Staff Backend Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$174K - $299K/yr

... and operating backend services and web applications. * Experience building complex, high ... Knowledge of Agile software engineering practices & patterns for the full software development ...

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All JobsBackend Software Engineer JobsBackend Software Engineer Jobs in Kent, WA

Backend Software Engineer information

See Kent, WA salary details

$68.3K

$166.7K

$224.6K

How much do backend software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for backend software engineer in Kent, WA is $166,693.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $140,000.00 and $194,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are backend engineers still in demand?

Backend software engineers are currently in high demand due to the ongoing need for server-side development, cloud computing, and scalable systems. Skills in programming languages like Java, Python, and frameworks such as Node.js are highly valued, and demand is expected to grow as digital infrastructure expands across industries.

What does a Backend Software Engineer do?

A Backend Software Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power applications and websites. They ensure that data flows efficiently between the server, application, and the user interface, often working with languages like Java, Python, or Node.js. Their work is crucial for enabling features, security, and performance on the backend, even though users typically interact with the frontend. Backend engineers also collaborate with frontend developers and other team members to create seamless user experiences.

What are some typical challenges a Backend Software Engineer faces when integrating new services into an existing system?

Backend Software Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring compatibility between new services and legacy systems, maintaining data integrity during migrations, and managing increased system complexity. Effective integration also requires thorough testing to prevent disruptions to existing functionalities and close collaboration with frontend engineers, DevOps, and QA teams. Proactively communicating across teams and adhering to clear documentation standards can help mitigate integration risks and ensure a smoother deployment process.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior backend software engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in areas like distributed systems or cloud computing, and often working at large tech companies or in high-demand industries can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, especially in competitive markets or executive-level roles.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior software engineers, especially those in high-demand fields like backend development, cloud engineering, or machine learning, can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires extensive experience, specialized skills, and working at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

What is the difference between Backend Software Engineer vs Frontend Software Engineer?

AspectBackend Software EngineerFrontend Software Engineer
Primary FocusServer-side development, databases, APIsClient-side development, UI/UX, visual elements
Required SkillsProgramming languages like Java, Python, SQL; server managementHTML, CSS, JavaScript, frameworks like React or Angular
Work EnvironmentBackend teams, server infrastructure, cloud servicesDesign teams, user interface, web browsers
Common UsageBuilding and maintaining server logic and databasesCreating interactive and visually appealing web pages

While both roles involve web development, Backend Software Engineers focus on server-side logic and data management, whereas Frontend Software Engineers specialize in creating the visual and interactive aspects of websites. Both roles are essential in full-stack development and often collaborate closely.

Is back-end coding hard?

Backend software engineering involves writing server-side code that manages data, application logic, and integration with databases, which can be complex depending on the project. It requires knowledge of programming languages like Java, Python, or Node.js, as well as understanding of APIs, security, and system architecture. The difficulty varies based on experience, project scope, and the complexity of the systems involved.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Backend Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Backend Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages like Java, Python, or Node.js, a solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and experience with database management, usually supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with tools such as Git, RESTful APIs, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and frameworks like Spring or Django is highly valued, and relevant certifications can be advantageous. Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this position. These skills and qualities are essential to build, maintain, and optimize robust, scalable server-side applications that meet user and business needs.
What are popular job titles related to Backend Software Engineer jobs in Kent, WA? For Backend Software Engineer jobs in Kent, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Backend Software Engineer jobs in Kent, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Backend Software Engineer jobs in Kent, WA are:
What cities near Kent, WA are hiring for Backend Software Engineer jobs? Cities near Kent, WA with the most Backend Software Engineer job openings:
Backend Software Engineer jobs near you
Backend Software Engineer (Evals)

Backend Software Engineer (Evals)

OpenAI

Seattle, WA • On-site

$230K - $385K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

About the Team
The Support Automation team at OpenAI scales the organization by applying cutting-edge AI models to real-world challenges, automating and enhancing work across the organization. From customer operations to engineering, we develop an ecosystem of automation products that empower our colleagues and drive impact. We're passionate about crafting products that serve those around us, blending rapid prototyping with a focus on long-term quality and reliability. By creating reusable solutions, we create patterns that can be applied across diverse domains within OpenAI.
TLDR: this team leverages OpenAI technology to improve OpenAI, and you'll have the opportunity to leverage the full extent of our tech (both public and pre-released) to accomplish this mission.
About the Role
We're looking for a Backend Software Engineer with experience working in ML/LLM-heavy domains to help to design and build an evals infrastructure that measures the quality of OpenAI's support automation. This is a deeply technical and highly cross-functional role where you'll build robust systems and backend services that serve as the foundation for how knowledge is created, accessed, and applied across OpenAI. The role will especially focus on working closely with Data Science and Research partners to design and build evals at scale.
In this role, you will:
  • Design eval pipelines that are reliable, reproducible, and extendable
  • Build the infrastructure for continuous eval monitoring frameworks (regression/drift monitoring, building robust golden datasets) along with feedback loops that ultimately strengthen support automation
  • Design, build, and maintain backend services and APIs to support intelligent automation and knowledge systems
  • Integrate and structure data across internal platforms, transforming it into formats optimized for use by downstream systems and AI workflows.
  • Collaborate closely with data, research, and engineering teams to integrate OpenAI models into high-leverage workflows
  • Own the full development lifecycle of new backend systems and internal platform capabilities
  • Build with scale and maintainability in mind, while rapidly iterating on new ideas

You might be a great fit if you have:
  • 4+ years of backend engineering experience at product-driven companies (excluding internships)
  • Proficiency in backend technologies. Our tech stack includes Python, FastAPI, and Postgres
  • Experience designing and scaling distributed systems, APIs, or data processing pipelines
  • Have experience building AI agents or applications, including designing evals and improving performance through prompting or scaffolding
  • Are familiar with evaluation methods for LLMs and have worked with patterns like multi-agent workflows, tool use, or long context.
  • Experience creating production evals and/or measuring performance of ML/LLM models at scale
  • A pragmatic mindset. You're comfortable shipping iteratively while building toward a long-term vision

About OpenAI
OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.
For additional information, please see OpenAI's Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.
Background checks for applicants will be administered in accordance with applicable law, and qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment consistent with those laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, for US-based candidates. For unincorporated Los Angeles County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: protect computer hardware entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon termination of employment or end of assignment; and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary, confidential, and non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected information technology systems and related data security obligations.
To notify OpenAI that you believe this job posting is non-compliant, please submit a report through this form. No response will be provided to inquiries unrelated to job posting compliance.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.
OpenAI Global Applicant Privacy Policy
At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.

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