Backend Engineer • Senior

Who you are

You have 5+ years of backend engineering experience building production systems at scale — you've designed and implemented robust services that handle high traffic and complex user interactions. Your expertise in Java is complemented by a solid understanding of AWS, allowing you to deploy and manage applications effectively in the cloud.

You are a product-minded engineer who thinks about the end-user experience — you understand the importance of building scalable and maintainable systems that directly impact user satisfaction. Your collaborative nature shines through as you work closely with product managers, designers, and other engineers to translate complex requirements into technical solutions.

You enjoy mentoring and uplifting your peers — through thoughtful code reviews and design discussions, you contribute to a culture of shared knowledge and continuous improvement. You take ownership of the full software development lifecycle, ensuring that your contributions are not only functional but also align with the overall product vision.

Desirable

Experience with microservices architecture and service-oriented design principles is a plus. Familiarity with e-commerce platforms or wedding planning tools can help you hit the ground running in this role.

What you'll do

As a Senior Backend Engineer at Zola, you will lead the design and development of scalable, secure, and maintainable backend microservices and APIs. Your role will involve writing high-quality, efficient, and testable code primarily in Java, deployed on AWS. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to define features and deliver compelling solutions for our couples and vendors.

You will take ownership of the architecture and implementation of foundational services that power our entire product suite, including the vendor marketplace and wedding registry. Tackling challenges in scalability, performance, and reliability will be a key part of your responsibilities, ensuring that our systems can handle the demands of our growing user base.

Mentoring other engineers will be an essential aspect of your role — you will guide them through code reviews and design discussions, fostering a culture of growth and shared knowledge within the team. You will also be involved in the full software development lifecycle, from initial design through to deployment and monitoring.

What we offer

At Zola, we believe in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where every employee feels valued and respected. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, along with opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us in building a product that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of couples planning their weddings.