Senior Backend Engineer

Senior Backend Engineer (100% Remote, US Based)

 
About Us

UpTogether is a systems change organization working to disrupt the status quo approach to ending poverty because it's not working. We recognize that poverty is created by systems, rooted in racism and perpetuated by false views of people considered "poor."

We seek to change policies, systems, and underlying beliefs so that all people in the United States are seen and invested in for their strengths and are able to build power, reinforce their autonomy, and drive their own economic and social mobility.

Our systems change strategy is two-pronged: We work with our members, partners, funders, governments, community organizations and other supporters to:

• Invest in families and individuals experiencing financial hardship by providing them with direct cash they can use however they choose, no strings attached
• Amplify stories and data that tell their true lived experiences so that, together, we show the impact of investing in people, provide evidence that it works, and influence state and local policies and practices that support and accelerate social and economic mobility.

The strategy is grounded in our strength-based approach of community, capital and choice, which honors people’s initiatives, abilities and self-determination.

At UpTogether, we work towards these values:

• Community: We’re better together than we are alone, and we know that with the support of our neighbors, family and friends, all of us will have a better shot at achieving our goals and dreams. 
• Impact: We focus our time and energy on collective work that will have the largest impact for people experiencing financial hardship. 
• Collaboration: We center the lived experiences of our members, partner with them to change systems and work with them to co-create opportunities for people to reach their financial goals.
• Racial Equity: We are committed to being an anti-racist organization, and we promote anti-racist policies that eliminate the racial wealth divide. 
• Leadership: We intentionally create space for everyone to lead, regardless of their title. 
• Choice: We respect everyone’s autonomy and know each person is capable of  making their own decisions. 

The Position

As a Senior Backend Engineer with a primary focus on Python, you will play a key role in building, maintaining, and scaling the backend infrastructure that powers our UpTogether Connect platform. In this role, you’ll be responsible for designing reliable, secure, and scalable solutions that align with our mission while actively managing tech debt and balancing development speed with long-term sustainability. Your work will focus on enhancing platform stability, ensuring scalable architecture, and collaborating across teams to support strategic initiatives.

This is a 100% remote position (must be based in the United States). A reliable internet connection and functional work environment, including a fully functional computer (laptop or desktop) with video conferencing capabilities, are required to be successful in this role. UpTogether offers reimbursements and stipends for work-related equipment for full-time staff.

Responsibilities:

Technical Ownership & Development

• Design, develop, and maintain backend systems using Python, prioritizing scalability and performance.
• Refactor and optimize code to manage tech debt effectively, building scalable systems that support our platform’s growth.
• Develop and implement secure, resilient, and efficient cloud-based services on AWS.
• Lead efforts in identifying, assessing, and addressing technical debt, balancing current feature development with future stability and performance needs.

Collaboration & Product Life Cycle Engagement

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product, UX, Analytics, and Security, to deliver software solutions aligned with UpTogether’s goals.
• Engage in the full software development life cycle, including requirements gathering, architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, and post-deployment support.
• Partner with strategic stakeholders, participating in discussions about product evolution and planning for the engineering needs of deployed software.

Systems Thinking & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure backend services are built with long-term maintenance in mind, incorporating monitoring, logging, and alerting mechanisms to ensure continuous performance and reliability.
• Work within a FinTech context, implementing best practices to ensure compliance, security, and data integrity.
• Stay informed on industry trends, identifying opportunities to incorporate new tools or technologies that enhance efficiency, scalability, and maintainability.

Team & Culture

• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven environment, encouraging proactive communication and high standards of quality across engineering functions.
• Mentor peers and share knowledge of best practices, cultivating an engineering culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of backend engineering experience, with expertise in Python and cloud services (AWS preferred).
• Previous experience in FinTech or similar sectors, working in regulated environments requiring a focus on security and compliance.
• Proven experience with scalable system design, refactoring legacy systems, and balancing new development with technical debt management.
• Knowledge of architectural best practices, particularly in environments with high-performance demands.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and proactive, capable of thriving in a remote work environment and aligning personal goals with organizational mission.

Nice-to-Haves

• Familiarity with frontend technologies and how they interact with backend services, enabling more holistic product development contributions.
• Experience in member-centered design and pro-social technology, aligning with UpTogether’s mission-driven focus.

Compensation

This is a full-time position with a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and vacation. Salary range is $130,000 - $145,000 and is commensurate with experience. 

Inclusion Statement

We strive to create a community that embraces equity, diversity, and inclusion, and we support the efforts of others to build such communities. We encourage all qualified and interested persons to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Sponsorship

Please be aware that UpTogether is unable to offer employment to candidates that are not already legally authorized to work in the US at this time. Applicants that require sponsorship will unfortunately not be considered for employment with UpTogether. 

To Apply