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Senior Backend Software Engineer

Role overview

Qualifications

  • Extensive experience with Java and Spring Boot
  • Track record of working on enterprise-level software systems
  • Ability to design and implement forward-thinking architectures
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS/GCP) and containerization tools

Responsibilities

  • Lead the full software development lifecycle for complex features
  • Drive the technical delivery of projects and influence architectural decisions
  • Actively mentor junior and intermediate engineers
  • Proactively identify operational risks and drive discussions regarding system reliability

About the company

Top Hat logo

Top Hat

E-Learning / EdTech

Top Hat is transforming student engagement by empowering educators to deliver personalized, meaningful and equitable learning. More than 3 million students at 750 of the top 1,000 colleges and universities in North America have used Top Hat.

Company details

Company typeSME
IndustryE-Learning / EdTech
Company size201 - 500

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Job description

Top Hat is hiring for a Senior Backend Software Engineer on our Aktiv Platform team. This is a great opportunity to drive force behind the technical excellence of our ecosystem. You will operate with a high degree of autonomy, leading the delivery of complex features and ensuring the stability of our high-traffic systems. This role is designed for an engineer who is not only a master of their craft in Java and Spring Boot but also a dedicated mentor and a proactive problem-solver.

You will:

  • Independent Implementation: Lead the full software development lifecycle for complex features, including implementation, comprehensive testing, and debugging of robust code.

  • Technical Leadership: Drive the technical delivery of projects, influencing architectural decisions and ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with long-term business goals.

  • Mentorship & Guidance: Actively mentor junior and intermediate engineers, providing constructive feedback through code reviews and documentation to support their professional growth.

  • Operational Excellence: Proactively identify operational risks and control deficiencies. Drive discussions regarding system redundancy, disaster recovery, and service availability.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with Frontend Engineers, Product Managers, and Designers to build cohesive, user-centric solutions.

  • Process Innovation: Identify opportunities for automation and suggest UI improvements to enhance the overall user experience and internal delivery efficiency.

You are:

  • Expert Java Foundation: Extensive experience with Java and a deep understanding of core programming principles and best practices. Proven expertise in Spring Boot for building scalable microservices and experience managing data with MongoDB.

  • Enterprise Experience: A track record of working on enterprise-level software systems that require high reliability and performance.

  • Architectural Vision: Ability to design and implement forward-thinking architectures that balance short-term value with long-term sustainability.

  • Quality Focused: Strong commitment to delivering testable, observable, and maintainable code.

Preferred Experience:

  • High-Traffic Systems: Experience designing and maintaining systems that handle high volumes of traffic and parallel connections.

  • Open Source Passion: A demonstrated passion for contributing to or leveraging open-source technologies.

  • UI/UX Awareness: A keen eye for user interface improvements and the ability to contribute to frontend-related technical discussions.

  • Infrastructure & Cloud: Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS/GCP) and containerization tools like Jenkins, Docker, or Kubernetes.

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

  • Flexible, remote first work environment

  • 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 usβ€”and what we do

  • A chance to work with new tech like generative AIβ€”and see the customer impact

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MR

Marcus Rivera

Chief Revenue Officer

m.rivera@company.com
linkedin.com/in/marcusrivera
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