Senior/Staff Software Engineer, Backend

The role

You will lead and scale the backend infrastructure powering Pika's user-facing products. You will design and deliver robust, scalable backend systems, APIs, and infrastructure for real-time collaboration and AI-powered workflows.

What you will do

• Architect and develop scalable, high-performing backend systems and APIs
• Build, maintain, and enhance distributed systems and cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP)
• Take ownership of backend features and platforms from ideation through launch
• Develop systems to support low-latency, real-time collaboration and messaging at scale
• Design and optimize backend features that power creative, AI-driven product capabilities
• Lead technical discussions, review code, and drive backend architecture proposals
• Mentor engineers to elevate standards across the team

Required qualifications

• 5+ years of backend software engineering experience
• At least 2+ years in senior backend roles
• Deep expertise in building distributed systems, RESTful and real-time APIs, and cloud-native infrastructure (AWS, GCP, Kubernetes, etc.)
• Strong system design skills for reliable, scalable backend services for high-traffic applications
• Track record of launching impactful backend features that balance technical quality with business needs
• Proven ability to independently lead complex projects, troubleshoot problems, and deliver impactful solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication

Nice to have

• Experience with real-time collaboration platforms, creative tools, or media-rich applications
• Familiarity with integrating generative AI or agent-based systems
• Experience at high-growth startups or in rapidly evolving settings
• Competitive coding, hackathon, or open-source contributions

Benefits

• Competitive salary in the AI industry
• Equity in a rapidly growing startup
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Monthly stipends
• Company retreats

About the company

Pika is building the next generation of AI creative tools to empower human creativity. The team includes engineers, artists, and product thinkers based in Palo Alto, CA.