Software Engineer IV
About The Position
As a Staff Software Engineer (SE IV) – Full Stack (Backend Focus), you will play a key role in designing and building the backend platforms that power AI-enabled, real-time experiences across Grainger. You will lead backend architecture and orchestration efforts that integrate AI models, enterprise data, and external services at scale. While this is a full-stack role, your primary focus will be on backend reliability, performance, and system design, with targeted front-end contributions as needed. You will operate with a systems-level mindset, helping shape technical direction and raising engineering standards across the team. This role reports to the Product Engineering Manager and can be based in Lake Forest or Chicago, IL, on a hybrid basis.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related degree, or relevant work experience.
- 5+ years of experience designing, building, and operating cloud-native backend systems.
- Strong proficiency in Python and modern backend development, including RESTful and/or streaming APIs (FastAPI/Flask)
- Deep understanding of distributed systems, asynchronous programming, and event-driven architectures
- Experience orchestrating complex systems involving external APIs, data services, and AI/ML components
- Proven ability to make sound architectural decisions and lead through influence in ambiguous problem spaces
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure), containerization (Ex: Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD, and production observability practices (Ex: Datadog, Prometheus, Kibana)
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and implementation of backend services that enable AI-powered, real-time and asynchronous applications
- Own backend architecture decisions, including service boundaries, state management, and request orchestration
- Build scalable, reliable systems that support streaming, event-driven, and low-latency workflows
- Define and maintain clear API contracts and data models with extensibility and backward compatibility in mind
- Ensure backend platforms meet reliability, performance, and observability standards in production environments
- Partner with front-end engineers to deliver efficient, well-integrated end-to-end solutions
- Drive improvements to CI/CD, automated testing, and deployment practices for backend services
- Influence the technical roadmap and contribute to long-term platform strategy for AI-enabled capabilities
- Act as a technical leader and mentor, raising system design and backend engineering maturity across the team
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with coverage starting on day one of employment and 6 free sessions each year with a licensed therapist to support your emotional wellbeing.
- 18 paid time off (PTO) days annually for full-time employees (accrual prorated based on employment start date) and 6 company holidays per year.
- 6% company contribution to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan each pay period, no employee contribution required.
- Employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, student loan refinancing and free access to financial counseling, education, and tools.
- Maternity support programs, nursing benefits, and up to 14 weeks paid leave for birth parents and up to 4 weeks paid leave for non-birth parents.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
