At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead backend engineering projects, enhancing stability and collaboration across teams.
- Company: Join Synthesia, a pioneering AI video platform trusted by top brands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, 25 days leave, and flexible remote work.
- Other info: Dynamic culture focused on building and empowering talent.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI innovation and shape the future of visual communication.
- 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). How should we do inter-service testing? Some teams are using monorepo, others aren’t. How can we bring overall stability up? Generally steering BE in the right direction. In the near future, standardising things across all of Engineering and bringing R&D teams (another 40 Engineers and Researchers) closer.
You will have ownership of projects that span quarters, requiring you to have the ability to break a problem down into small steps that can be delivered and validated iteratively. You will evaluate your own work, leveraging our data pipeline and frameworks that we have established to understand the impact your features have on our commercial objectives and pivoting where necessary. You will consider the long-term direction of Engineering, making sure that we are developing the engineering capabilities that will allow us to stay ahead of the challenges we are likely to encounter in 12-18 months' time. You will work end-to-end, from our client application written in React to our monolithic backend written in Python, and lead projects that span across multiple teams.
What we're looking for:
- At least ten (10) years of experience as a software engineer, 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 Org that is operating at scale.
- An ability to work across the stack, with deep knowledge on server side and all things back end related.
- Relevant engineering experience for a team building an enterprise-grade SaaS product.
- Extra points for delivering AI-powered video generation product, billing systems, experimentation platforms, video delivery systems, online editors, real-time collaboration and so on.
- Strong alignment with commercial success.
Why join us?
We’re living the golden age of AI. The next decade will yield the next iconic companies, and we dare to say we have what it takes to become one.
Our culture
At Synthesia we’re passionate about building, not talking, planning or politicising. We strive to hire the smartest, kindest and most unrelenting people and let them do their best work without distractions. Our work principles serve as our charter for how we make decisions, give feedback and structure our work to empower everyone to go as fast as possible.
Serving 50,000+ customers (and 50% of the Fortune 500)
We’re trusted by leading brands such as Heineken, Zoom, Xerox, McDonald’s and more.
Proprietary AI technology
Since 2017, we’ve been pioneering advancements in Generative AI. Our AI technology is built in-house, by a team of world-class AI researchers and engineers.
AI Safety, Ethics and Security
AI safety, ethics, and security are fundamental to our mission. While the full scope of Artificial Intelligence's impact on our society is still unfolding, our position is clear: People first. Always.
Other important info:
- Our preference is for this role to be based either in-office or remote in the following locations: UK, Germany, Switzerland or Ireland.
- We may also be able to support remote workers in other locations across Europe subject to compliance and right to work checks.
- The salary starts at EUR/GBP/CHF 200.000 base + stock option plan.
- This is full-time employment only - no contractors possible - usually through OysterHR.
- Everyone at Synthesia gets 25 days of leave + local holidays (no extra paid or unpaid leave possible).
- We only sponsor VISA if you are in the UK/EU country already and need support - we do not relocate people.
Principal Backend Engineer employer: Synthesia
At Synthesia, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel in their roles. With a strong focus on AI advancements and a commitment to ethical practices, we offer exceptional growth opportunities and the chance to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our London headquarters provides a vibrant environment where creativity thrives, and our competitive benefits package ensures that our team members are well-supported both personally and professionally.
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 diving deep into Synthesia's products and values. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely excited about what we do and how you can contribute to our mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Be ready to tackle technical challenges during interviews. We love seeing how you approach complex backend issues, so think through your process and communicate it clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Synthesia.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Backend Engineer role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving backend systems and enterprise-grade SaaS products.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about AI and how your background makes you a great fit for Synthesia. Share specific examples of how you've driven projects across multiple teams and improved engineering processes.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to include your technical expertise in backend technologies, particularly Python. Mention any experience with inter-service testing or working in high-performing engineering organisations, as this will resonate with us.
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 to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Synthesia
✨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.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles and how you've driven projects across multiple teams. Be ready with specific examples that showcase your ability to manage large engineering teams and deliver results.
✨Align with Company Values
Familiarise yourself with Synthesia's culture and work principles. Show how your personal values align with their focus on building and empowering teams. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the company.
✨Think Long-Term
Be prepared to discuss your vision for the future of engineering at Synthesia. Think about the challenges the company might face in the next 12-18 months and how you can contribute to overcoming them. This shows strategic thinking and a commitment to the company's success.
