Backend Engineer

Company Overview

Technology moves fast, but the teams behind it move faster. Speer Technologies is a dynamic technology hub based in Toronto, partnered with some of the largest technology incubators in the Greater Toronto Area. We are a team of passionate innovators and open-minded thinkers, dedicated to building groundbreaking technologies.

As a startup, we thrive on creativity, collaboration, and the drive to push boundaries. Our fast-paced environment offers exposure to a variety of programming languages, software, and work environments, ensuring a rich learning experience. We provide ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, all while fostering an inclusive and barrier-free workplace.

You can read more about us on our website.

Position Overview

Speer Technologies is seeking a Backend Developer to join our engineering team. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role where you will architect, build, and maintain the server-side systems that power our products across web and mobile platforms.

You'll work within a dedicated engineering silo of 8-9 developers, shipping production code frequently and taking direct responsibility for backend performance, scalability, and reliability. We value engineers who understand fundamentals deeply, solve problems independently, and move with urgency. Your work will have a direct and visible impact from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Backend Architecture: Design, develop, and maintain low-latency, scalable, and secure server-side applications and APIs using Node.js and TypeScript.
• Database and Data Layer: Build and manage database schemas, data pipelines, and caching layers using MongoDB, Redis, and/or SQL databases.
• DevOps and Infrastructure: Own deployment pipelines, CI/CD workflows, and cloud infrastructure (AWS or equivalent). Ensure system reliability and uptime across production environments.
• System Design: Contribute to architectural decisions, API contracts, versioning, and documentation. Design systems that scale with the product.
• Security and Data Integrity: Implement authentication, authorization, encryption, and data protection measures across backend services.
• Code Quality and Testing: Maintain high personal code standards through peer reviews, unit testing (Jest, Mocha, or equivalent), and automated test coverage. Give and receive constructive feedback to continuously raise the bar.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify and resolve defects, contribute suggestions to enhance performance and usability, and stay current with emerging backend technologies and best practices.
• Agile Delivery: Collaborate with a cross-functional team to plan, design, and execute sprints in an agile, high-velocity environment where code ships to production frequently.
• Problem Solving: Navigate ambiguous, fast-moving technical challenges with creativity and sound engineering judgment. Figure things out independently; pull in help only when genuinely blocked.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in software development, with a strong focus on backend engineering.
• JavaScript/TypeScript: Strong proficiency in JavaScript and TypeScript (the backbone of our codebase).
• Backend Frameworks: Demonstrated experience with Node.js and Express.js (or NestJS).
• DevOps: Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker), and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Digital Ocean).
• System Design: Experience designing scalable backend architectures, API contracts, and service-level patterns.
• Databases: Production experience with MongoDB, Redis, and/or SQL databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL).
• Fundamentals: Solid understanding of core computer science concepts, including concurrency, asynchronous programming, and event-driven systems.
• Strong skills writing testable, maintainable code with a foundation in unit testing.
• Proficient understanding of code versioning tools such as Git.
• Familiarity integrating with external APIs and SDKs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across a diverse team.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and explain the code you ship, not just how to generate it, but why it works and how to fix it when it breaks.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with RESTful API design and GraphQL.
• Familiarity with message queues and event-driven systems (RabbitMQ, Kafka, SQS).
• Experience designing and scaling Node.js applications in production environments.
• API documentation tooling (OpenAPI/Swagger).
• Monitoring, observability, and logging best practices.
• An agile mindset with experience working in agile environments.
• A natural curiosity for new backend technologies, frameworks, and emerging tools.
• Non-traditional background welcome: some of our strongest engineers transitioned into tech from entirely different careers. We care about what you can do, not where you started.

Compensation

• Total Compensation: Competitive salary with a range of $80,000 to $120,000 per year, flexible for the right candidate.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including dental care, vision care, wellness program, and paid time off.

Why Join Speer Technologies?

• Ship From Day One: Every engineer at Speer pushes code to production in their first week. This is not a place where you'll wait months to make an impact.
• Growth and Ownership: Take on real responsibilities as the company scales. Your contributions are visible and valued.
• Innovation and Speed: Work in a fast-paced startup environment where no two days are the same and creative problem-solving is the norm.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a team that values diverse backgrounds, open-minded thinking, and a spirit of collaboration.

Does this position resonate with you?

Join us in building groundbreaking technologies that push boundaries. Apply today!

Speer Technologies does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select candidates during the recruitment process. AI tools may be used during interviews for note-taking purposes only. All hiring decisions are made by people.

Speer Technologies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise Speer Technologies of any accommodations you may require to ensure your equal participation. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.