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Staff Backend Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About the Role We are looking for an experienced Staff Backend Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and scaling of backend systems for Archer's aviation products. This role is central ...

Coach and mentor junior engineers on best practices of software engineering, leveraging AI to enhance applications, and building their technical expertise to ensure efficient and effective outcomes

Coach and mentor junior engineers on best practices of software engineering, leveraging AI to enhance applications, and building their technical expertise to ensure efficient and effective outcomes

We are looking for a Staff Backend Software Engineer to join our growing team and help build the next generation of scalable backend services. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and ...

Coach and mentor junior engineers on best practices of software engineering, leveraging AI to enhance applications, and building their technical expertise to ensure efficient and effective outcomes

Coach and mentor junior engineers on best practices of software engineering, leveraging AI to enhance applications, and building their technical expertise to ensure efficient and effective outcomes

We are looking for a Staff Backend Software Engineer to join our growing team and help build the next generation of scalable backend services. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and ...

Coach and mentor junior engineers on best practices of software engineering, leveraging AI to enhance applications, and building their technical expertise to ensure efficient and effective outcomes

We are looking for a Staff Backend Software Engineer to join our growing team and help build the next generation of scalable backend services. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and ...

Coach and mentor junior engineers on best practices of software engineering, leveraging AI to enhance applications, and building their technical expertise to ensure efficient and effective outcomes

We are looking for a Staff Backend Software Engineer to join our growing team and help build the next generation of scalable backend services. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and ...

Staff/Senior Backend Software Engineer Full-time Hybrid SF Bay Area About Us We are building the modern operating system for grocery stores, similar to what Toast has achieved for restaurants. As a ...

... 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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Staff Backend Software Engineer information

See salary details

$60.5K

$147.7K

$199K

How much do staff backend software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff backend software engineer in the United States is $147,662.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,000.00 and $172,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Staff Backend Software Engineers?

Staff Backend Software Engineers are senior-level engineers who design, build, and maintain the server-side infrastructure of applications. They are responsible for ensuring systems are scalable, reliable, and performant, often acting as technical leaders within their teams. In addition to coding, they mentor other engineers, make architectural decisions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects. Their expertise is critical in shaping the technical strategy and long-term vision of backend systems.

How does a Staff Backend Software Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams on large-scale projects?

As a Staff Backend Software Engineer, you will frequently collaborate with product managers, frontend engineers, DevOps, and QA teams to define technical requirements and align backend solutions with overall business goals. You’ll often lead technical discussions, provide architectural guidance, and mentor other engineers, ensuring that backend systems integrate smoothly with other components. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, fostering effective teamwork and project success.

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

To thrive as a Staff Backend Software Engineer, you need deep expertise in server-side programming languages (such as Java, Python, or Go), system architecture, and scalable API design, typically with a computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with databases (SQL/NoSQL), cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), CI/CD tools, and often advanced knowledge of containerization or microservices are essential. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and effective communication skills help you drive technical direction and mentor junior engineers. These skills are crucial for building robust backend systems, ensuring team alignment, and delivering reliable, high-performance products.

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

AspectStaff Backend Software EngineerBackend Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in CS or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's in CS or related field; 1-3 years experience
Work EnvironmentSenior-level projects, system architecture, mentorshipDevelopment, coding, feature implementation
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, large enterprisesSame as Staff, common in tech industry
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding seniority, responsibilities, career pathEntry to mid-level development roles

The main difference between a Staff Backend Software Engineer and a Backend Software Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope. Staff Engineers typically handle complex system design, mentorship, and strategic planning, while Backend Engineers focus on coding, feature development, and smaller project components. Both roles are common in tech companies, but Staff Engineers are more senior and involved in architecture and leadership.

What cities are hiring for Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Staff Backend Software Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Staff Backend Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,662 per year, or $71 per hour.
Staff Software Engineer, Backend

Staff Software Engineer, Backend

Archer

San Jose, CA • On-site

$172K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Staff Backend Software Engineer to lead the design, development, and scaling of backend systems for Archer's aviation products. This role is central to building the cloud infrastructure and service architecture that powers our modern aviation platform.
You'll work closely with cross-functional teams across engineering, data, operations, and aerospace to deliver secure, performant, and reliable backend services.
What You'll Do
  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend systems and APIs to support Archer's ride-sharing and airline operational platforms.
  • Build cloud-native applications and services using Python and AWS technologies.
  • Lead architectural design and system integrations, ensuring systems are modular, efficient, and secure.
  • Develop infrastructure-as-code using Terraform or AWS CDK to provision and manage backend environments.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define technical requirements and translate them into robust implementations.
  • Own the full development lifecycle-from design and development to deployment, monitoring, and maintenance.
  • Conduct code reviews, enforce engineering best practices, and mentor fellow engineers.
  • Monitor system performance and reliability, and respond to production issues with effective debugging and root cause analysis.
What You Need
  • Small but mighty, 0 to 1 builder mentality.
  • BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or a related technical field.
  • 7+ years of backend software engineering experience, with a proven track record of delivering scalable backend systems.
  • Expert-level proficiency in Python for backend application development.
  • Strong experience with AWS, including services such as Lambda, API Gateway, S3, DynamoDB, ECS/Fargate, etc.
  • Proficiency with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform or AWS CDK.
  • Deep understanding of RESTful API design, microservices architecture, and distributed systems.
  • Experience with performance tuning, system monitoring, and observability tools.
  • Excellent debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience with data modeling and working with SQL and NoSQL databases (e.g., Postgres, DynamoDB).
  • Background in high-availability, real-time systems or event-driven architectures.
  • Prior experience in aerospace, transportation, or ride share industries.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and container orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $172,800.00 - $210,000.00. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.