Senior Backend Engineer (Systems Architecture)
ENGINEERING AT GROKKER
At Grokker, the product and technology org is focused on building the next generation technology for the Employee Wellbeing Network. We are focused on furthering employee wellbeing, by enabling employees (enthusiasts) to partner with fellow enthusiasts (employees) to build a community on the Grokker platform. And leverage the diverse content from world-renowned experts that Grokker has to offer. We are building and leveraging advanced technology for cross-channel and cross form-factor content, social engagement, and analytics/machine learning to build a very powerful - global wellbeing network. Come join us on this journey!
ABOUT GROKKER ENGINEERING
Our team is small, collaborative, and mission-driven. We are focused on using technology to genuinely improve employee wellbeing by empowering them to live healthier, happier lives. We are currently launching new, innovative product features, such as our generative AI chatbot, Grokky, while scaling our core operational processes. We operate as a full-stack, agile team, valuing pragmatic execution, technical excellence, and clear communication. We rely heavily on Node.js and AWS.
Grokker | San Jose, CA (Hybrid - 3 days in office Tue-Thu)
Salary Range for this position: $175,000 to $210,000 a year
ABOUT YOU
You are a seasoned, hands-on backend engineer focused on solving complex problems through pragmatic delivery, strong architectural design, and clean execution. You excel at quickly internalizing a product vision, performing necessary research, and defining reliable, phased engineering plans. You will be a vital partner in elevating our technical standards, ensuring delivery fills current needs, and strategically balancing speed-to-market with long-term scalability.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Pragmatic Planning & Delivery: Take the product vision and define the most efficient, staged approach to development (MVP planning). You'll serve as the technical lead for delivery, balancing speed-to-market with system resilience to prevent over-engineering.
- Architectural Partnership: Serve as a key partner to the existing senior engineering team, applying your judgment to system design and driving the execution of scalable infrastructure projects.
- High-Value Implementation: Drive the design and development of core full-stack features while proactively leading the implementation of systems to automate critical operational bottlenecks, including data ingestion (ETL/ELT) and external file feeds.
- Mentorship & Influence: You'll actively foster the growth of the team by advocating for and implementing technical best practices and architectural patterns, and suggesting high-leverage process improvements that inform strategy.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Practical Planning & Execution: Proven ability to translate high-level product vision into reliable, practical, and staged engineering plans (MVP planning), demonstrating the judgment to balance scalability with speed-to-market.
- Core Backend & Infrastructure Expertise: Deep knowledge of system architecture, deployment, and cloud infrastructure (AWS), typically gained through 5+ years of hands-on Backend/SWE experience.
- Scaling Experience: Prior experience working on systems that underwent significant growth or sustained heavy load.
NICE TO HAVES
- Communication & Client Engagement: Strong verbal and written communication for documenting systems, influencing technical direction, and confidently managing client-facing technical work.
- Stack Proficiency: Strong proficiency with Node.js.
- Operational Automation: Expertise designing and implementing automated data processing (ETL/ELT) systems or internal tools that solve critical operational scaling bottlenecks.
- Product Initiative: A product-minded approach with a history of proactively identifying business or client pain points that can be solved through technical means.
PERKS
- Salary Range for this position: $175,000 to $210,000 a year
- Hybrid Work: Enjoy flexibility with our hybrid schedule, requiring 3 days a week in the San Jose office (Tuesday–Thursday) and allowing work from home on Mondays and Fridays.
- Health Care: Comprehensive Health care plan (Medical, Dental & Vision).
- Time Off: Flexible Time Off (PTO) policy.
- Office Amenities: We provide daily lunches, snacks, and beverages during on-site working days, plus a weekly office Happy Hour to unwind and connect.
ABOUT US
Grokker transforms employee physical, mental, and financial wellbeing globally through our life-changing content. Our inclusive community of experts and personalized guidance is
proven to strengthen retention by 68%, triple engagement, and lessen the burden on HR teams.
With Grokker, each member’s well-being experience is personalized to help guide them to the lowest acuity, highest impact intervention. Our solution seamlessly integrates with your HR team and provides them with ongoing actionable insights.
Global organizations like Delta Air Lines, Pfizer, Target, and Domino’s trust Grokker to support the diverse wellbeing needs of their teams in over 179 countries and 21 localized languages. Grokker is dedicated to making holistic health and wellbeing equitable, engaging, and accessible for all.
INTERESTED?
If you are a passionate and experienced AI/ML Engineer ready to make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply!
Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@grokker.com.
Grokker is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.