Character.AI

Software Engineer, Backend at Character.AI (Redwood City, CA)

Character.AI· Redwood City, CA· $180k–$300k·

Role details

Salary
$180k–$300k
Work type
Hybrid
Employment
Full-Time
Skills
PythonJavaGoPostgreSQLMySQLNoSQLREST APIGraphQLDistributed SystemsMicroservices ArchitectureAWSGCP
Benefits

Equity

Summary

Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs to power products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high availability, performance, and security of distributed systems.

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a talented and motivated Backend Engineer to join our team. You will be responsible for building and maintaining scalable, high-performance backend systems that power our products. Collaborating with designers, data scientists, and engineers, you'll play a key role in conceptualizing, designing, and delivering robust and efficient backend solutions.

What you’ll do

  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend services that support our applications and infrastructure.
  • Implement secure and efficient APIs to support frontend applications and third-party integrations.
  • Optimize system performance, reliability, and scalability through effective architecture and engineering best practices.
  • Work closely with product managers, data analysts, and frontend engineers to develop backend solutions that align with business and user needs.
  • Ensure high availability, fault tolerance, and performance of backend systems.
  • Monitor system health, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and stability.
  • Maintain security best practices to protect user data and system integrity.
  • Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies in backend development and distributed systems.

Who you are

  • 5+ years of experience in backend development, building scalable and reliable applications.
  • Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or Go. Python and Go are preferred.
  • Experience with database technologies such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or NoSQL solutions.
  • Familiarity with designing and integrating APIs, including REST and GraphQL.
  • Understanding of distributed systems, microservices architecture, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
  • Experience with containerization and orchestration tools like Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to optimize system performance and reliability.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with event-driven architectures and messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ, etc.).
  • Knowledge of caching strategies and performance optimization techniques.
  • Experience working on large-scale, high-traffic applications.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps best practices.
  • Exposure to machine learning or data-driven applications.

About Character.AI

Character.AI empowers people to connect, learn and tell stories through interactive entertainment. Over 20 million people visit Character.AI every month, using our technology to supercharge their creativity and imagination. Our platform lets users engage with tens of millions of characters, enjoy unlimited conversations, and embark on infinite adventures.

In just two years, we achieved unicorn status and were honored as Google Play's AI App of the Year—a testament to our innovative technology and visionary approach.

Join us and be a part of establishing this new entertainment paradigm while shaping the future of Consumer AI!

At Character, we value diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. As an equal opportunity employer, we firmly uphold a non-discrimination policy based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability. Your unique perspectives are vital to our success.

Why work at Character.AI

  • Mission-Driven Work: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge generative AI and shape the future of entertainment for millions of users.
  • High-Impact Environment: Described as a "small, passionate team" where individuals can have significant ownership and influence.
  • Strong Compensation: Competitive salaries (e.g., Research Engineer, AI Safety & Alignment: $225K–$400K + equity). jobs.ashbyhq.com
  • Comprehensive Benefits:
    • Parental Leave: 20 weeks paid for birthing parents, 12 weeks for non-birthing parents.
    • Retirement: 401(k) match up to $5,875/year (25% of contributions up to IRS cap).
    • Time Off: 20 days accrued PTO, 12 company-paid holidays, plus accrued sick time.
    • Health: 100% premium coverage for medical (PPO or HSA), dental, and vision for employees; 80% for dependents. Life, AD&D, and LTD insurance fully covered.
    • Perks: Daily lunch in all offices, monthly DoorDash credit, monthly commuter allowance ($50), and a quarterly wellness stipend.
  • Work Policy: Hybrid (offices in Menlo Park, Seattle, New York).
  • Culture Values: "Users First" (users > company > team), "Think Transformational," and a focus on collaboration and high performance.

Application questions