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Junior Backend Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Compiler Engineer

Hillsboro, OR ยท On-site

$149K - $211K/yr

Design, implement, and maintain compiler backend optimizers and code generation components ... Mentor and support junior engineers, providing technical leadership, guidance, and best practices.

Design, implement, and maintain compiler backend optimizers and code generation components ... Mentor and support junior engineers, providing technical leadership, guidance, and best practices.

Senior Software Engineer

Portland, OR ยท On-site +1

$140K - $175K/yr

Provide technical guidance to junior team members What We're Looking For * 10+ years of ... distributed backend systems on Linux * Deep curiosity for all software and systems architecture ...

Senior Software Engineer (Remote)

Portland, OR ยท Remote

$140K - $175K/yr

Provide technical guidance to junior team members What We're Looking For * 10+ years of ... distributed backend systems on Linux * Deep curiosity for all software and systems architecture ...

Senior PHP Developer

Vancouver, WA ยท On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Build and improve backend features in PHP (Laravel preferred). * Optimize message delivery ... Provide guidance to junior developers and participate in peer code reviews. Qualifications/Skills ...

New

Senior PHP Developer

Vancouver, WA ยท On-site +1

$120K - $180K/yr

Build and improve backend features in PHP (Laravel preferred) * Optimize message delivery pipelines ... Provide guidance to junior developers and participate in peer code reviews. Qualifications/Skills ...

Staff Engineer, Revenue Cycle

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$160 - $200/hr

... backend services, agentic frameworks, AI Pipelines and front end. You'll work under minimal ... Mentor junior engineers (code reviews, pair-programming etc) * Serve as a technical lead for ...

New

Sr. Software Engineer - Java

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$132K - $174K/yr

Own the design, development, and maintenance of complex Java-based backend services across both ... junior engineers. * Lead production troubleshooting and incident response, driving root-cause ...

Test APIs and backend services (REST, GraphQL) for robustness and correctness. * Ensure that ... Mentor junior QA engineers and help instill best practices across the team. * Be an active voice in ...

Principal Full Stack Engineer

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$139K - $249K/yr

Mentor and develop junior developers * Respond on a rotation basis to escalated incidents after ... Strong experience with building cloud-based API platforms or backend systems * Strong knowledge of ...

Mentor and develop junior developers * Respond on a rotation basis to escalated incidents after ... Strong experience with building cloud-based API platforms or backend systems * Strong knowledge of ...

Principal Full Stack Engineer

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$139K - $249K/yr

Mentor and develop junior developers * Respond on a rotation basis to escalated incidents after ... Strong experience with building cloud-based API platforms or backend systems * Strong knowledge of ...

Junior Backend Engineer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$35.5K

$76.1K

$116.1K

How much do junior backend engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior backend engineer in Portland, OR is $76,144.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,400.00 and $84,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior backend engineer?

Junior Backend Engineers are entry-level software developers who focus on building and maintaining the server-side components of web applications. They work with databases, APIs, and server logic to ensure that applications function smoothly and efficiently. Typically, they collaborate with frontend engineers, follow best coding practices, and learn from more experienced team members while gaining hands-on experience with backend technologies such as Node.js, Python, Java, or Ruby.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior backend engineer?

To thrive as a Junior Backend Engineer, you need a solid understanding of server-side programming languages (such as Python, Java, or Node.js), relational and non-relational databases, and a relevant degree or coding bootcamp experience. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, RESTful API development, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS or Azure) is typically expected. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help you work effectively with cross-functional teams and adapt to changing requirements. These skills ensure that you can contribute reliable, maintainable code and support the scalability and security of backend systems.

What are some common challenges faced by junior backend engineers during their first year on the job?

Junior Backend Engineers often encounter challenges such as understanding complex codebases, integrating with legacy systems, and managing time effectively while learning new technologies. Collaborating with cross-functional teams and following best practices for code reviews can also be new experiences. Most teams provide mentorship and code review sessions to support growth, and it's common to gradually take on more responsibility as confidence and skills increase.

What is the difference between Junior Backend Engineer vs Backend Developer?

AspectJunior Backend EngineerBackend Developer
Required CredentialsTypically a bachelor's degree in CS or related field; some certificationsSimilar credentials; often more experience or certifications
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects, supervised tasksMid-level to senior projects, more autonomous roles
Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, startups, and software firmsWidespread across industries requiring backend solutions
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched by beginners or those exploring rolesCompared for experience level or career progression

The main difference between a Junior Backend Engineer and a Backend Developer lies in experience and responsibility. Junior Backend Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on learning and supporting development tasks under supervision. Backend Developers usually have more experience, handling complex projects independently. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are common in tech industries, but the level of autonomy and project complexity distinguishes them.

What are the most commonly searched types of Backend Engineer jobs in Portland, OR?

The most popular types of Backend Engineer jobs in Portland, OR are:

Infographic showing various Junior Backend Engineer job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $76,144 per year, or $36.6 per hour.

$69K - $90K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description


Seeking a Junior Front End Developer with:
  • 1+ year of React experience - should be enterprise level
  • Ability to work on the back end on occasion or willingness to pick up back end technologies
  • Ability to work in an extremely fast paced environment

Skill Set
React UI