Staff Backend Engineer

Location: London or New York City

Onsite | Full-time

Compensation: competitive

Our client is a high-performance technology development firm responsible for building and operating the infrastructure behind the world’s largest and most active digital asset launchpads. Processing approximately $1B in daily volume, the platform operates at the bleeding edge of crypto scale, requiring systems designed for ultra-low latency, high throughput, and constant high-concurrency load.

The organization is seeking a Lead Backend Engineer to own the most complex technical challenges across the system. This is a high-stakes, high-impact role within an intense, in-person environment. The team is composed of high-agency builders who value speed, immediate impact, and rigorous engineering judgment. This position is ideal for an engineer who thrives under pressure and is motivated by the opportunity to solve ambiguous, cross-cutting problems that others cannot.

Key Responsibilities

• System Ownership: Take full accountability for the most difficult backend challenges, addressing performance bottlenecks, scaling limits, and maintaining system correctness under extreme load.
• Architectural Leadership: Set the technical direction for core backend systems, making principled architectural decisions that balance rapid delivery with long-term maintainability.
• Distributed Systems Design: Design, build, and operate high-stakes distributed services relied upon by a massive global audience daily.
• Problem Resolution: Proactively identify systemic issues and drive them to resolution, navigating ambiguity and cross-functional complexities.

• Engineering Excellence: Raise the bar for the backend engineering organization through rigorous design and code reviews, mentoring peers, and modeling elite engineering judgment.

Interview Process

• Recruiter / HR Call: Initial screening and background review.
• Technical Interview I: Deep dive into backend proficiency and problem-solving.
• Technical Interview II: Advanced assessment of distributed systems and architecture.
• Final Interview: Comprehensive wrap-up focusing on high-level strategy and role expectations.

Requirements

• Scale & Experience: Proven track record of building and operating distributed systems at significant scale multiple times.
• Technical Stack: Deep proficiency in Rust, Go, or TypeScript.
• Data Expertise: Extensive knowledge of databases and data modeling, including a sophisticated understanding of tradeoffs regarding consistency, performance, and reliability.
• Agency & Ownership: A high-agency, ownership-driven mindset with the ability to take ambiguous problems to concrete outcomes without needing constant direction.
• Problem Solving: A reputation for solving complex technical hurdles that have stalled previous efforts.
• Domain Knowledge: Previous experience in the crypto or blockchain space is considered a significant plus, though not a strict requirement.
• Work Style: Comfort with an intense, fast-paced, and unconventional work schedule. Our client operates primarily in-person.

Benefits

• Unmatched Autonomy: Significant ownership over technical decisions and the freedom to drive impactful changes.
• Scale Exposure: Direct experience managing systems operating at the absolute edge of current crypto and financial technology scale.
• Immediate Impact: The ability to ship code rapidly and see real-world results and user interaction immediately.
• Compensation: Highly competitive package including Base Salary and Equity/Tokens ranging from $75K – $500K, commensurate with experience and impact.

Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate, we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates. If you do not hear back from us within 4 weeks of your application, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. We genuinely appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your job search.

Commitment to Equality and Accessibility:

At MLabs, we are committed to offer equal opportunities to all candidates. We ensure no discrimination, accessible job adverts, and providing information in accessible formats. Our goal is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for all. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the hiring process or you would like to see the job-advert in an accessible format please let us know at the earliest opportunity by emailing human-resources@mlabs.city.

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