Staff Software Engineer, Backend
Staff backend engineer at Genius AI serving as the technical anchor for AI-powered products and 0-to-1 builds: setting architecture, shipping proof-of-concepts, and integrating LLMs into production systems. Core stack is Kotlin with AWS and Kubernetes; TypeScript is a plus.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Work setup
- Remote
- Seniority
- Staff
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Category
- Backend
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 7+ years of professional engineering experience with a strong backend focus
- Track record of owning system design and architectural choices for high-scale or high-growth products
- Already building with AI as a core part of workflow; integrated LLMs into production systems
- Strong perspective on AI's architectural impact
- Ships fast and iterates; thrives in early-stage, ambiguous environments
- Deep Kotlin expertise
- Strong intuitions about backend architecture, service design, and performance at scale
- Solid command of modern cloud infrastructure, including AWS and Kubernetes
- Natural collaborator who can align cross-functional teams around a shared technical vision
- Communicates complex architectural trade-offs clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders
Nice to have
- TypeScript experience
Full description
Genius AI is looking for a Staff Backend Engineer to serve as the technical anchor for high-innovation teams, setting architectural direction, validating options through proof-of-concepts, and turning ambitious initiatives into clear, buildable roadmaps. This is an individual contributor role with significant leadership responsibility, focused on both architecture and hands-on building. The Staff Backend Engineer will unblock engineers, make critical technical decisions, and set a new standard for backend engineering at Genius AI.
Responsibilities will include:
- Architect and own the technical direction of AI-powered products and 0-to-1 builds, balancing long-term trade-offs and maintaining a backlog of build-ready work
- Integrate AI models and LLMs into customer-facing products as reliable, high-performance production systems
- Shape how Genius AI builds with AI, making architectural decisions that define product capabilities for years to come
- Write high-quality code and rapidly ship proof-of-concepts to validate architectural options and address technical challenges
- Partner with Product, Design, and Engineering leadership to translate business goals into well-architected initiatives with clear sequencing
- Proactively identify and resolve systemic technical debt, unblock engineers, and raise the quality bar for the team
You’re a great fit if you:
- Have 7+ years of professional engineering experience with a strong backend focus and a track record of owning system design and architectural choices for high-scale or high-growth products
- Are already building with AI as a core part of your workflow, have integrated LLMs into production systems, and have a strong perspective on AI’s architectural impact
- Ship fast and iterate, making architectural decisions with incomplete information and thriving in early-stage, ambiguous environments
- Have deep Kotlin expertise and strong intuitions about backend architecture, service design, and performance at scale (TypeScript experience is a plus)
- Possess solid command of modern cloud infrastructure, including AWS and Kubernetes
- Are a natural collaborator who can align cross-functional teams around a shared technical vision and keep execution moving smoothly
- Communicate complex architectural trade-offs clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Total Compensation
- Competitive health and dental insurance options
- Flexible PTO
- Annual stipend for professional development and continued learning