Staff Backend Engineer (Python)

About the role

We are seeking a Staff Backend Engineer to join a high‑impact Infrastructure team building a real‑time, distributed voice AI system. The role focuses on core Python‑based backend services running in a cloud‑native Kubernetes environment.

Key responsibilities

• Own and develop core components of a real‑time distributed backend system using Python and Rust.
• Lead large‑scale initiatives end‑to‑end with minimal guidance.
• Design and implement scalable, reliable backend architecture.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues in distributed environments.
• Improve system performance, reliability, and development velocity.
• Work with real‑time data streams and audio processing pipelines.
• Collaborate across teams and contribute to technical decision‑making and architecture.

Required profile

• Previously a Staff or Principal/Senior Engineer at a startup.
• 8+ years of experience in Python development with strong Asyncio expertise.
• Significant experience with at least one strongly typed language (e.g., Rust, C++, Go, Swift, Java).
• Deep understanding of networking protocols and operating systems.
• Experience delivering and troubleshooting production‑grade cloud‑based distributed systems.
• Experience building and troubleshooting real‑time low‑level systems (e.g., kernel, drivers, RTOS).
• Strong LLM prompting skills, with the ability to work without them.
• Contributor or maintainer of an open‑source package.

Required skills

• Python (Asyncio, profiling)
• Rust (or other strongly typed language)
• Kubernetes and Helm
• gRPC
• Observability stacks
• Networking protocols (WebRTC, SIP, RTP, HLS, RTMP, STUN/TURN)
• Audio processing systems
• Python‑Rust integration (PyO3)