#5 - Senior Backend Engineer - Python & Azure Databricks

Muttdata

1d•Remote

About The Position

Muttdata is a remote-first data products and machine learning startup seeking an experienced, hands-on, ownership-driven Backend Engineer. The role designs, builds, and operates production-grade backend services and REST APIs using Python and FastAPI on Microsoft Azure. It includes developing a communications dispatch service that integrates messaging queues and external APIs such as Braze. The engineer will work with development, data, and IT/DevOps teams to integrate backend services with Azure components, relational databases, third-party APIs, and data processes running on platforms such as Databricks. The role emphasizes reliability, observability, and clean, maintainable code.

Requirements

At least 4 years of backend development experience, including demonstrable participation in building, integrating, and operating production services.
Strong command of Python and experience building REST APIs with FastAPI or equivalent frameworks.
Experience designing modular, maintainable software and applying principles such as SOLID, separation of concerns, and automated testing best practices.
Experience integrating APIs and distributed systems, including authentication, error handling, timeouts, retries, and resiliency patterns.
Experience with asynchronous processing and messaging systems, including queues, dead-letter handling, and idempotency (for example, Azure Service Bus or equivalents).
Strong SQL and relational database skills, including modeling, querying, migrations, and ORM usage; SQL Server or Azure SQL preferred.
Experience with Docker and deploying containerized services.
Hands-on experience with cloud services, preferably Microsoft Azure, including monitoring, Git version control, and participation in CI/CD processes.

Nice To Haves

Experience with AI-assisted software development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or Cursor, or Spec-Driven Development practices, with sound judgment to validate generated code quality, security, and maintainability.
Experience integrating and orchestrating data processes from backend services, especially with Azure Databricks or other processing platforms.
Experience with containerized cloud infrastructure, including Kubernetes/AKS or Azure Container Registry.
Familiarity with Martech, engagement, or digital experimentation platforms, including push, email, in-app communications integrations, or A/B testing.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and evolve backend services and REST APIs with Python and FastAPI, applying best practices in architecture, security, and maintainability.
Build and operate the communications dispatch service, integrating message queues and external APIs with idempotency, retries, rate limiting, and error handling.
Integrate and orchestrate platform components, including Azure services, databases, third-party APIs, and data processes running on platforms such as Databricks.
Design and maintain persistence solutions in Azure SQL, including data modeling, migrations, data integrity, and query optimization.
Ensure backend reliability and observability in production through monitoring, tracing, automated testing, and failure recovery mechanisms.
Collaborate with development, data, and IT/DevOps teams on technical decisions, component integration, CI/CD pipelines, and deployments across environments, maintaining clear technical documentation.