Lead Software Engineer - Backend focused

Toronto, ON

Full-Time Permanent

About the Role

We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Lead Back-End Software Engineer to architect and drive the development of scalable, secure, and high-performance backend systems. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about building robust infrastructure that powers intelligent, data-driven applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and develop scalable, secure, and maintainable backend systems.
• Design and implement RESTful and asynchronous APIs using Python, Node.js, or similar technologies.
• Integrate AI and cognitive services (e.g., OpenAI, Azure Cognitive Services) into backend workflows.
• Manage and optimize CI/CD pipelines and oversee cloud deployments across Azure, AWS, or GCP.
• Implement and maintain messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ) and real-time communication (WebSockets).
• Work with SQL and NoSQL databases, optimizing schemas and ensuring high performance.
• Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers; conduct code reviews and promote best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product, Front-End, DevOps, Data Science) to align technical solutions with business goals.
• Ensure system performance, scalability, and security through proactive monitoring and optimization.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and uphold high standards of code quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of backend development experience, with 2–3 years in a technical leadership role.
• Proficient in Python or Node.js with strong API architecture and design skills.
• Experience integrating AI services and working with major cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP).
• Deep understanding of backend performance tuning, security best practices, and scalability strategies.
• Familiarity with agile methodologies, version control (Git), and collaborative development practices.
• Excellent communication skills and a passion for mentoring and team development.