At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead backend projects, enhance stability, and standardise processes across engineering teams.
- Company: Join Synthesia, the leading AI video platform valued at $4 billion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary starting at €200,000, stock options, and 25 days of leave.
- Other info: Remote role available for EU, UK, or Switzerland residents only.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI-driven visual communication and work with top talent.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in software engineering, with leadership experience in high-performing teams.
Synthesia is the world’s leading AI video platform for business, used by over 90% of the Fortune 100. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in London, with offices and teams across Europe and the US. As AI continues to shape the way we live and work, Synthesia develops products to enhance visual communication and enterprise skill development, helping people work better and stay at the center of successful organizations.
About the role:
You will focus on friction points around primarily backend issues for all teams in Engineering (90 Engineers). Responsibilities include:
- Determining how to do inter-service testing.
- Standardising processes across all of Engineering.
- Bringing R&D teams (another 40 Engineers and Researchers) closer together.
- Owning projects that span quarters, breaking problems down into small steps for iterative delivery and validation.
- Evaluating your own work using our data pipeline and frameworks to understand the impact of features on commercial objectives.
- Considering the long-term direction of Engineering to develop capabilities for future challenges.
- Working end-to-end, from our client application written in React to our monolithic backend written in Python.
What we're looking for:
- At least ten (10) years of experience as a software engineer, with at least 2 at the Senior Staff/Principal level (L7+).
- Previous leadership experience in driving projects across multiple teams (50+ Engineers).
- Experience in a high-performing engineering organisation operating at scale.
- Ability to work across the stack, with deep knowledge of server-side and backend-related technologies.
- Relevant engineering experience for a team building an enterprise-grade SaaS product.
- Extra points for delivering AI-powered video generation products, billing systems, experimentation platforms, video delivery systems, online editors, real-time collaboration, etc.
- Strong alignment with commercial success.
Other important info:
- This is a remote role from an EU country, UK or Switzerland.
- The salary starts at EUR/GBP/CHF 200,000 base + stock option plan.
- This is full-time employment only - no contractors possible.
- Everyone at Synthesia gets 25 days of leave + local holidays.
- We only sponsor VISA if you are already in the UK/EU country and need support - we do not relocate people.
Principal Backend Engineer employer: SLAMcore
At Synthesia, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the AI technology sector, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment in London. Our hybrid work model promotes flexibility, while our commitment to employee growth is evident through opportunities to lead impactful projects and collaborate with top-tier talent. With competitive compensation, including a robust stock option plan and generous leave policies, we ensure that our team members are well-supported as they contribute to shaping the future of visual communication.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Backend Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Synthesia on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your backend skills. Think about how you’d tackle inter-service testing or improve stability across teams. Show us you can think critically and lead projects effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just focus on technical skills; be ready to discuss your leadership experience. We want to know how you've driven projects across multiple teams and how you can bring that expertise to our engineering culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Synthesia team. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Backend Engineer role. Highlight your experience with backend technologies, leadership in engineering projects, and any relevant achievements that align with our needs at Synthesia.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for AI and how your background can help us tackle the challenges we face in engineering. Be genuine and let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Projects:Include specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to, especially those that demonstrate your ability to work across teams and deliver impactful results. We love seeing how you've tackled complex problems in the past!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SLAMcore
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python and backend systems. Brush up on your knowledge of inter-service testing and monorepo strategies, as these are key areas for the role.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles and how you've driven projects across multiple teams. Be ready with specific examples that highlight your ability to manage large engineering teams and deliver results.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Familiarise yourself with how engineering decisions can affect commercial objectives. Be prepared to discuss how your past work has contributed to business success, especially in high-performing environments.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about Synthesia’s engineering culture and future challenges. This shows your genuine interest in the company and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
