At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain the xAI API for global developers, ensuring high performance and reliability.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge AI company focused on engineering excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Flat organisational structure that values initiative and strong communication skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in AI while working with advanced technologies and a motivated team.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Rust or C++, with experience in scalable systems and databases.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands‑on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
About the role
As an ideal candidate you have a good understanding of how highly scalable and reliable production infrastructure is built. Most of our backend infrastructure is written in Rust. So familiarity with a compiled language such as C++, Rust, or Go is highly beneficial.
Responsibilities
- Build the xAI API that serves our models to developers worldwide
- Own the end-to-end system responsible for high-throughput inference, handling billions of tokens per minute with low latency and high availability, including model serving infrastructure, request routing, SDK development, rate limiting, observability, and efficient scaling
Basic Qualifications
- Expert knowledge of either Rust or C++
- Experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining reliable and horizontally scalable distributed systems
- Knowledge of service observability and reliability best practices
- Experience in operating commonly used databases such as PostgreSQL, Clickhouse, and MongoDB
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience with LLM inference engines and serving frameworks (e.g., SGLang, TensorRT, vLLM)
- Experience designing or building with agent SDKs and agent orchestration frameworks
- Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and containerized applications
- Expert knowledge of gRPC (unary, response streaming, bi-directional streaming, REST mapping)
Equal Opportunity
xAI is an equal opportunity employer. For details on data processing, view our Recruitment Privacy Notice.
Backend Engineer - API employer: xAI
At xAI, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Our flat organisational structure empowers every team member to take initiative and contribute directly to our mission of advancing AI technology. With a focus on engineering excellence, we offer ample opportunities for professional growth, a supportive work environment, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies in a dynamic and curious team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer - API
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research xAI’s mission and values, and think about how your skills as a Backend Engineer can contribute. This will help you stand out in conversations and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry meetups. Engaging with the community can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Rust or C++ skills. Practice coding challenges and system design questions that focus on scalable infrastructure. The more prepared you are, the more confident you'll feel!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at xAI and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Engineer - API
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for AI and technology shine through. We want to see how your curiosity drives you to tackle challenges and contribute to our mission.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase your experience with Rust or C++. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their expertise in building scalable systems, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise:Strong communication skills are key! Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured information that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications.
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 you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at xAI
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Rust or C++. Since the role heavily involves these languages, be prepared to discuss your experience and any projects you've worked on. Highlight specific examples where you've built scalable systems or tackled complex problems.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions that assess your ability to design and maintain distributed systems. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely. Use real-world scenarios to showcase how you’ve approached challenges in the past, especially around high-throughput inference and low latency.
✨Show Your Curiosity
xAI values individuals who thrive on curiosity. Be ready to ask insightful questions about their projects and technologies. This not only shows your interest but also demonstrates your proactive nature, which is crucial in a flat organisational structure.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your ideas and technical concepts in a straightforward manner. Remember, it’s not just about what you know, but how well you can share that knowledge with your team.
