Senior Backend Software Engineer

RESPONSIBILITIES

Kforce has a client that is seeking a Senior Backend Software Engineer in Brooklyn, NY.

Summary

We're looking for an experienced Senior Backend Software Engineer to help build and improve a high-scale platform supporting machine learning applications in production. This is a hands-on engineering role focused on Scala, distributed backend systems, developer experience, reliability, and automation. You'll work alongside senior engineers while independently owning projects that improve how teams build, test, review, and deploy production services.

What You'll Do

• Build and maintain scalable, low-latency backend services using Scala
• Support infrastructure powering production ML and AI applications
• Improve developer experience, code quality, and automated test coverage
• Use AI development tools such as Claude and Codex to automate code reviews, approvals, and edge-case testing
• Design and improve APIs, orchestration workflows, and distributed systems
• Identify system dependencies, performance issues, and reliability risks
• Improve engineering standards, automation, monitoring, and operational processes
• Partner with engineering and technical teams across the organization
• Independently drive projects from design through production

REQUIREMENTS:

• 7+ years of backend/software engineering experience
• Strong production experience with Scala
• Experience building and operating distributed, high-scale systems
• Experience with APIs, service orchestration, concurrency, and production troubleshooting
• Experience with Kubernetes and modern cloud environments
• Strong understanding of software engineering fundamentals and system dependencies
• Strong understanding of testing, observability, performance, and reliability
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills
• Ability to operate independently within a highly technical engineering team

Nice to Have:

• Experience supporting ML platforms or production ML systems
• Python or advanced PHP experience
• Google Cloud Platform or other cloud infrastructure experience
• Experience with gRPC, CI/CD, model serving, or feature platforms
• Familiarity with Scala frameworks such as Cats Effect, ZIO, Akka/Pekko, or http4s
• Experience with LLM or AI infrastructure

Why This Opportunity?
You'll work on highly scalable systems where your engineering decisions have a direct impact on how AI and ML applications reach production. It's a great fit for a strong Scala/backend engineer who wants exposure to modern ML infrastructure and AI-powered development tools without needing to come from a traditional machine learning background.
The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.
We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law. This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions. Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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