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Internship Rust Backend Developer Jobs in Washington, DC

DevOps Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$55.25 - $75.50/hr

... all Python and Rust artifacts * Design and implement monitoring frameworks to track build ... Experience automating backend systems and operational workflows * Familiarity with release ...

DevOps Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$55 - $75.50/hr

... all Python and Rust artifacts * Design and implement monitoring frameworks to track build ... Experience automating backend systems and operational workflows * Familiarity with release ...

DevOps Engineer

Springfield, VA · On-site

$55.25 - $75.50/hr

... all Python and Rust artifacts * Design and implement monitoring frameworks to track build ... Experience automating backend systems and operational workflows * Familiarity with release ...

... backend infrastructure, which is a complex, real-time distributed system written in Python and Rust ... Some DevOps familiarity (e.g., Kubernetes) is also expected. This role is a Global remote role ...

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Internship Rust Backend Developer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$13

$65

$95

How much do internship rust backend developer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship rust backend developer in Washington, DC is $65.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53.65 and $77.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Rust Backend Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Rust Backend Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming fundamentals, familiarity with Rust’s syntax, and basic knowledge of backend development concepts. Experience using version control systems like Git, exposure to RESTful APIs, and familiarity with build tools and databases are typically required. Strong problem-solving ability, eagerness to learn, and effective communication skills help interns collaborate and adapt quickly. These skills are essential for contributing to real-world projects, ensuring code quality, and integrating smoothly within development teams.

What are some common challenges faced by Rust Backend Developer interns, and how can they be addressed?

As a Rust Backend Developer intern, you may encounter challenges such as understanding Rust's unique ownership model, memory safety concepts, and adapting to its strict compiler checks. Additionally, integrating with existing backend systems or microservices, which may be written in other languages, can require extra effort. Collaborating effectively with senior developers and participating in code reviews will help you learn best practices and overcome these hurdles. Regularly seeking feedback, utilizing Rust’s extensive documentation, and participating in team stand-ups are excellent ways to accelerate your learning and contribute meaningfully to the team.

What does an Internship Rust Backend Developer do?

An Internship Rust Backend Developer assists in designing, developing, and maintaining server-side applications using the Rust programming language. Their responsibilities often include writing efficient code, debugging backend systems, integrating with databases, and collaborating with senior developers to build scalable and secure services. Interns typically work on real-life projects to gain hands-on experience with Rust, learn industry best practices, and improve their programming skills in a professional environment.

What is the difference between Internship Rust Backend Developer vs Junior Rust Backend Developer?

AspectInternship Rust Backend DeveloperJunior Rust Backend Developer
Required CredentialsLimited or no professional experience, often pursuing relevant educationSome experience or coursework completed, basic understanding of Rust
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, entry-level projects, mentorship-focusedFull or part-time employment, independent project work
Employer & Industry UsageTech startups, software companies, internships in industryTech companies, software development teams, entry-level roles

The main difference between an Internship Rust Backend Developer and a Junior Rust Backend Developer is experience level. Internships are designed for students or beginners gaining initial exposure, often with mentorship, while Junior roles require some prior knowledge and involve more independent work. Both positions are common in tech industries focused on Rust backend development, but internships serve as a stepping stone to full-time roles.

Backend Engineer : Modernizing a National Sports Platform

Uplifter US LLC

Arlington, VA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Lead Backend Developer

Location: On site – Arlington, VA Type: Full-Time

About Uplifter

Uplifter Inc. is a leading North American sports-technology company powering 1,700+ clubs, 200+ national and provincial organizations, and 4 million users across gymnastics, curling, skating, cycling, athletics, and more. With teams in Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, and Nashville, we build the mission-critical infrastructure that keeps amateur and elite sport running—membership, events, payments, compliance, sanctioning, and athlete pathways.

As we unify multiple platforms (Uplifter, Interpodia, Curling Club Manager) and build Uplifter 2.0, we are modernizing our engineering organization to deliver scalable, reliable, and intuitive product experiences.

We are seeking a hands-on, architectural-minded Lead Backend Developer to take ownership of our backend strategy, API design, and data infrastructure.

Job Summary

The Lead Backend Developer is responsible for architecting, building, and maintaining the server-side logic and databases that power Uplifter 2.0. You will bridge the gap between technical execution and product strategy, ensuring our backend services are secure, highly scalable, and capable of handling high-volume transactions for millions of users.

This role is hands-on coding and architecture decision making. While you will mentor other backend developers, you will not be directly managing them. Your role will focus on code quality, best practices, system design, and technical direction. You will work closely with the CPO, Product Managers, and the Staff Engineer to define the backend roadmap and ensure seamless integration with our mobile and frontend clients.

This role is fully on site, in-office 5 days a week at our office in Arlington VA, just outside of Washington D.C.

Key Responsibilities

Backend Leadership & Architecture

  • Own the technical architecture of the Uplifter backend ecosystem, driving the modernization of our stack.
  • Lead the design and implementation of robust, scalable RESTful APIs to support our mobile and web applications.
  • Make high-level technological decisions regarding database schema design, caching strategies, and microservices vs. monolith trade-offs.

Delivery & Execution

  • Write clean, secure, and efficient code (Python/Django and/or PHP) to handle complex business logic and payments.
  • Collaborate with Product Managers to estimate features, identify backend bottlenecks, and maintain predictable delivery cycles.
  • Troubleshoot complex server-side issues, optimize database queries, and ensure high system availability.
  • Oversee the security of user data, ensuring compliance with privacy standards and secure payment processing.

Mentorship & Collaboration

  • Mentor mid-level and junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and ownership through code reviews.
  • Partner with Mobile and Frontend Leads to define clear API contracts and data models.
  • Work with the DevOps/Infrastructure team to improve CI/CD pipelines and deployment processes.

Preferred Qualifications

Required

  • 5+ years of professional backend development experience, with at least 2+ years in a Lead or Senior capacity.
  • Deep expertise in Python (Django) and Node.js.
  • Strong understanding of modern SaaS architecture (API-first, microservices), database design (PostgreSQL), and caching (Redis/Memcached).
  • Experience with cloud environments (AWS) and serverless technologies.
  • Proven ability to lead technical decisions and mentor other engineers without direct management authority.
  • Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).

Nice to Have

  • Experience in multi-product or multi-codebase environments.
  • Background in sports technology, membership systems, or high-volume transactional SaaS.
  • Experience with complex payment gateway integrations (Stripe, PayPal, etc.).
  • Experience working with modern backend languages like Go, Rust, or TypeScript.

Why Join Uplifter?

  • Compensation: Competitive salary + performance bonus.
  • Impact: A chance to directly impact amateur and elite sport across North America and globally.
  • Culture: Strong culture of ownership, autonomy, and product innovation.
  • Time Off: Unlimited PTO subject to delivery on targets.
  • Benefits: Health/dental/vision benefits.
  • Work Environment: On site with a small, dedicated, local team for rapid growth.