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 a motivated and curious 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)
xAI is an equal opportunity employer.
Backend Engineer - API in London 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 employees to take initiative and contribute directly to our mission of advancing AI technology, while our commitment to engineering excellence ensures that you will be challenged and supported in your professional growth. Located in a dynamic environment, we offer unique opportunities for hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, making it an ideal place for those eager to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer - API in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Build a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Rust or C++. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on system design and distributed systems concepts. Practice coding challenges that focus on scalability and reliability, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Engineer - API in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for AI and how it aligns with our mission. Share any personal projects or experiences that showcase your curiosity and drive in this field.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Make sure to emphasise your expertise in Rust or C++. We want to know about your experience with scalable systems and databases like PostgreSQL or MongoDB. Tailor your application to reflect the skills we’re looking for!
Be Concise and Clear:Strong communication is key! Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences at a glance.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at xAI
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Rust or C++. Be ready to discuss your experience with distributed systems and how you've built scalable infrastructure in the past. They’ll want to see that you can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of challenges you've faced in previous roles, especially related to high-throughput inference and low latency systems. Think about how you approached these problems and what solutions you implemented. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and initiative.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
Since strong communication skills are a must, practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to explain your thought process during problem-solving, so being clear and concise will help you stand out.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Collaboration
With a flat organisational structure, teamwork is key. Prepare to talk about how you've collaborated with others in the past, particularly in cross-functional teams. Highlight any experiences where you took the lead or contributed significantly to a project’s success.
