Backend Engineer (Node.js, Python)

About The Company HARMAN International is a global leader in connected technologies and audio solutions, with a rich history dating back to the 1920s. Renowned for its innovative approach to sound and digital transformation, HARMAN creates integrated technology platforms that enhance everyday experiences across automotive, lifestyle, and enterprise sectors. The company’s portfolio includes iconic brands such as JBL, Harman/Kardon, Revel, and Mark Levinson, which are recognized worldwide for their superior quality and cutting-edge designs. HARMAN’s mission is to deliver extraordinary experiences through innovative technologies that are seamlessly integrated into the lives of consumers and businesses alike. With a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, HARMAN continually invests in employee development, technological advancement, and sustainable growth, making it an ideal place for professionals passionate about innovation and impact. About The Role The Principal Backend Engineer role at HARMAN is a pivotal position within the Music Discovery Platform team, focused on revolutionizing how users discover and interact with music. As part of the Data Team, you will lead the development of scalable, high-performance backend systems that power our music metadata services. Your expertise will be instrumental in architecting APIs and backend solutions that enable seamless music search, personalized recommendations, and user engagement features. This role requires a strategic thinker with deep technical skills in backend development, microservices architecture, and cloud-native solutions. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including product managers, frontend developers, and data scientists to deliver innovative features that enhance user experience and system reliability. Your work will directly impact millions of music enthusiasts worldwide, ensuring they have access to accurate, high-quality music data and personalized discovery options. As a leader, you will also mentor junior engineers, set coding standards, and drive technical innovation within the team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Qualifications 10+ years of experience in backend services development Strong proficiency in Node.js, Python, Go, or similar backend languages Deep understanding of API design, microservices architecture, and cloud-native development Hands-on experience with cloud platforms such as GCP, AWS, and Azure Expertise with Docker, Kubernetes, and Serverless architectures Proficiency with CI/CD pipelines for automated build, test, and deployment processes Experience with relational and NoSQL databases such as PostgreSQL and BigQuery Knowledge of caching strategies and message queues like Kafka or RabbitMQ Familiarity with music metadata standards, recommendation systems, or audio streaming APIs is a plus Optional: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field Optional: Experience with machine learning pipelines, recommendation engines, or digital signal processing Optional: Knowledge of C# and .NET technologies Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to lead technical initiatives Responsibilities Architect and develop robust, scalable, and secure APIs for music catalog, search, and recommendation services Design data models and manage integrations with third-party music metadata providers, streaming services, and analytics platforms Lead backend engineering efforts by establishing coding standards, conducting code reviews, and mentoring junior engineers Collaborate with product, frontend, and data teams to define API specifications and ensure seamless user experiences Optimize backend service performance to ensure low latency, high availability, and system reliability Implement observability tools for monitoring, logging, and alerting to proactively address system issues Evaluate and incorporate new technologies, frameworks, and best practices to enhance system capabilities and development velocity Drive innovation in backend architecture and contribute to technical strategy and planning Benefits Competitive wellness benefits and 401K retirement savings plan Inclusive and diverse work environment fostering career growth Flexible work schedule promoting work-life balance Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University and extensive training programs Tuition reimbursement for continued education Employee discounts on HARMAN products such as JBL, Harman/Kardon, and others Recognition programs including the "Be Brilliant" employee rewards initiative Comprehensive health plans including medical, dental, and vision coverage Paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, and volunteer leave Fertility support, adoption assistance, and health savings accounts Short and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and wellness programs Equal Opportunity HARMAN is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply and are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. Our goal is to foster a work environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our collective success.