We are looking for a Senior Platform Developer to join our Backend Platform Team! This team is responsible for building and maintaining the underlying systems and tools our developers and customer support rely on every day.
The Backend Platform team thrives on a deep understanding of our technology and direction, and collaborates with people across the company to build the systems and tools they need to be successful. With autonomy and data-driven iteration, you'll play a critical role in building and maintaining Top Hat's technology foundation, empowering developers to build products that spark better teaching and learning for a brighter world.
Our Purpose and Reach, Your Opportunity
Top Hat is transforming higher education. Professors rely on our platform to create engaging, active learning environments, improving attendance, grades, and the overall lecture experience. With over 750 universities and 3 million students already using Top Hat, we’re setting our sights on reaching all 4,000+ post-secondary institutions across North America. As part of our growing Engineering team, you’ll help design and build the technology that will shape classrooms worldwide.
As a key member of our team, you will:
Drive impactful projects: Take ownership of initiatives, leading the entire SDLC—from discovery and planning to development and release—while collaborating with Product, Design, Support, Testing and Engineering peers.
Experiment and innovate: Use creativity and data-driven insights to propose, test, and iterate on solutions that improve both the technology and the products we build.
Collaborate in a dynamic environment: Contribute as part of a cross-functional team, designing and building our scalable, developer-focused platform and tools.
Contribute across the board: Support team goals through bug fixes, individual ticket completion, and ensuring continuous improvement in stability and product quality.
What we’re looking for:
Our tech stack includes Python, TypeScript/React, and PostgreSQL, but experience with these is not a requirement. We’re looking for someone who is focused on the fundamentals rather than a specific language or tool. As long as you’re excited to learn and use these, we’ll be happy to help you master them.
Experience: 6+ years of experience in systems programming or web backend development on large code bases such as content management systems, databases, game engines, high frequency trading, or other complex performance sensitive systems.
Knowledge: A deep understanding of web backend fundamentals including the TCP and HTTP(S) protocols, caching, queuing, databases, authorization, security, and Linux/POSIX systems programming.
Strong analytical skills: Ability to quickly navigate and understand large, unfamiliar code bases to identify key components and implement effective solutions.
Data Orientation: Focused on the data and efficient transformations rather than the code, and constantly measuring to guide improvements to new and existing solutions.
Desire to dive deep: A track record of removing abstractions and working at lower levels to maximize the performance and reliability of the systems you work on.
Innovation-focused mindset: Excited by experimentation, eager to propose ideas that enhance both technology and platform design.
A proactive problem-solver: Navigate ambiguity confidently by asking the right questions, making informed decisions, and aligning with stakeholders.
Strong communication skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication, active listening, and the ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences.
A commitment to quality: You take pride in writing reliable, tested, well-documented code and take full responsibility for the quality of your work and existing code you work on.
Why team members love working at Top Hat:
A noble mission that creates meaningful, fulfilling work
A team that cares deeply for customers and for each other
Competitive stock options program that encourages our team to act like owners
Professional learning and development for all role levels
An awesome and welcoming Toronto HQ
Competitive health benefits that start on day one
A management team focused on performance, growth, engagement and connection
Our winning strategy and market potential
Innovative PTO policy with lots of time and space for self-care
Passionate customers that believe in us—and what we do
A chance to work with new tech like generative AI - and see the customer impact first-hand in weeks (not years)
Through our Top Hat Field Trip, every Top Hatter has the chance to visit a campus to see and feel the impact we're making in class with instructors and students
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