Principal Backend Engineer

Yahoo serves as a trusted guide for hundreds of millions of people globally, helping them achieve their goals online through our portfolio of iconic products. For advertisers, Yahoo Advertising offers omnichannel solutions and powerful data to engage with our brands and deliver results.

A Little About Us

Yahoo Search is one of the most highly scaled applications on the planet. We hire world-class engineers to support our ambitious product and platform goals. Our engineers work in a highly collaborative environment with a strong emphasis on technical excellence and innovation. We are currently reimagining the future of Search, reinventing how users find information and accomplish their goals through AI-augmented experiences. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead the architectural evolution of our search infrastructure during a period of significant digital transformation.

About the Role

As a Principal Backend Software Engineer specialized in Node.js and AWS, you will be the technical authority for architecture-level solutions within the Search organization. You will take charge of the technical direction for full-stack applications, moving beyond simple execution to strategic oversight. You will lead functional teams through complex resource requirements and high-risk technical challenges, ensuring that our systems are not only scalable but also optimized through modern AI-driven development practices. You are a builder and an architect who views AI as a force multiplier for engineering impact and architectural integrity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural strategy and delivery of high-scale full-stack applications, ensuring alignment with business goals, security standards, and global regulatory requirements.

• Architect and implement AI-augmented development workflows, utilizing tools like GitHub Copilot and Amazon CodeWhisperer to improve team velocity and code quality.

• Identify and implement AI-driven efficiencies in the backend lifecycle, replacing repetitive infrastructure tasks with automated, intelligent workflows.

• Define and implement scalable, robust, and maintainable application architectures that support the integration of LLMs and generative discovery features.

• Provide technical oversight across multiple squads, performing high-level architectural reviews to ensure performance, security, and long-term sustainability.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in automation and tooling, leveraging generative AI to accelerate technical documentation and system design processes.

• Act as a technical mentor and coach, fostering a culture of experimentation and continuous learning in an AI-augmented environment.

• Communicate complex architectural decisions effectively to senior management, ensuring technical strategy aligns with the broader Search business roadmap.

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of hands-on, professional software development experience with expertise in Node.js and AWS.

• Proven experience utilizing AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or CodeWhisperer) to optimize development cycles and validate complex logic.

• 5+ years of industry experience working with large-scale distributed systems and high-traffic environments.

• Expertise in AWS cloud services (Lambda, EC2, S3) and infrastructure-as-code.

• Strong experience with GraphQL, REST, and the design of maintainable, high-concurrency APIs.

• Hands-on experience with MySQL and PostgreSQL database technologies, including performance tuning and schema optimization.

• Proficiency in frontend frameworks (React or Vue) to support full-stack delivery goals.

• Secondary proficiency in C++ and Python for cross-functional system integration.

• Commitment to staying current on emerging AI tools and proactively suggesting improvements to the engineering tech stack.

• BS in Computer Science, or equivalent degree/experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with big data technologies and real-time data processing.

• Experience in prompt engineering or structured interaction with AI models to generate and validate system diagnostics.

• Background in performance optimization and scalability planning for global-scale consumer products.

• Experience leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives, specifically cloud modernization.

The material job duties and responsibilities of this role include those listed above as well as adhering to Yahoopolicies;exercising sound judgment;working effectively, safely and inclusively with others;exhibiting trustworthinessandmeeting expectations;and safeguarding business operations and brand integrity.

At Yahoo, we offer flexible hybrid work options that our employees love! While most roles don’t require regular office attendance, you may occasionally be asked to attend in-person events or team sessions. You’ll always get notice to make arrangements. Your recruiter will let you know if a specific job requires regular attendance at a Yahoo office or facility. If you have any questions about how this applies to the role, just ask the recruiter!

Yahoo is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected category. Yahoo will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. Yahoo is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all candidates during the application process and for employees during their employment. If you need accessibility assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please submit a request via the Accommodation Request Form (www.yahooinc.com/careers/contact-us.html) or call +1.866.772.3182. Requests and calls received for non-disability related issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace strengthens Yahoo and deepens our relationships. When you support everyone to be their best selves, they spark discovery, innovation and creativity. Among other efforts, our 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) enhance a culture of belonging with programs, events and fellowship that help educate, support and create a workplace where all feel welcome.

The compensation for this position ranges from $143,625.00 - $299,375.00/yr and will vary depending on factors such as your location, skills and experience.The compensation package may also include incentive compensation opportunities in the form of discretionary annual bonus or commissions. Our comprehensive benefits include healthcare, a great 401k, backup childcare, education stipends and much (much) more.

Currently work for Yahoo? Please apply on our internal career site.