Lead Back-End Engineer

Farmer’s Fridge is on a mission to make it simple for everyone to eat well. We serve healthy, handcrafted meals and snacks from our growing network of 2200+ Smart Fridges (software-enabled vending machines). We are striving to change the food system from the ground up – one Fridge at a time. We are a team that cares – about the business, the impact our product makes, and each other. We are data-driven, innovative, and quick to move on a good idea. We are looking for people who want to collaborate in an entrepreneurial, inclusive culture and have a passion to succeed. About the Role: As a Lead Back-End Engineer (SE IV), you will be expected to increase the team’s ability to deliver high-quality software solutions by contributing to development efforts, driving improvements in practices, and mentoring other team members. A successful individual will also bring their expertise to team discussions to improve software quality and act as a thought-partner for others on the team.

Our software engineers take pride in crafting great software but take even more pride in product ownership, taking ideas from concept to release and beyond. This role will provide you the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and solve fascinating problems.You'd be joining Fridge Tech, the team that builds the software and integrates with the hardware that runs our Fridges. This role sits on the Fridge back end — the application living on each machine that handles the critical path of successfully vending an item to a customer.This is also a role with real influence over how we use AI. We're actively building our standards for LLM-assisted development, and we expect our engineers to be fluent with these tools and be ready to continue exploring.In a typical week, the Lead Back End Engineer will...Own projects end-to-end, from technical design through implementation, testing and deploymentWork on complex problems that set our company up for short and long-term successBuild POCs quickly to prove out ideas and resolve uncertaintyLead technical architecture discussions and contribute in the ones other engineers are leadingPerform timely PR reviewsExplore what's newly possible with the latest AI tooling and help shape our broader strategy around itLevel up the team's aggregate skill through mentorshipImprove our engineering practices and standards to accelerate the pace of deliveryWork across greenfield and legacy systems, refactoring and modernizing existing services where it makes senseRaise the testing floor on the systems they touchPartner with Product to stay aligned on business goalsHave creative liberty to operate and push the boundaryHelp out the menu development team by tasting new recipesIn a Lead Back End Engineer, we're looking for someone who…Has 10+ years of software engineering experience, and a clear understanding of software best practicesHas strong experience with Go or an equivalent languageHas experience integrating with hardware and third-party device firmware, and operating in Linux-based environmentsHas AWS cloud experience (a plus)Has experience working on side projects they are passionate about (a plus)Is very comfortable and passionate about using LLMs to solve problems thoughtfullyHas a deliberate approach to LLM-assisted development, stays current as the tooling changes, and helps the team do the sameHas an innate ability to solve difficult problems and take full ownership, while adapting to changing requirementsIs comfortable working in a legacy codebase and/or a greenfield project, and has a passion to significantly improve standardsHas curiosity, attention to detail, a high sense of urgency and is a team playerMakes the engineers around them better through mentorship, code review and setting a standard others followCommunicates technical challenges and solutions extremely well, focused on outcomes and clarityIs comfortable digging into data to inform decisions, flag issues and measure whether what we built workedHas a proven ability to learn new skills quickly and a continuous desire to improveWants to build technology that directly impacts the company's profitability goal, and sets the company up for success long-termHas the ability to work productively in a hybrid environmentHas a passion for making healthy food accessible to allThe base salary range for this role is $165,000 - $180,000. The base pay offered will be determined by factors such as experience, skills, training, certifications, education, and any applicable minimum wage requirements.In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for company performance-based bonuses and equity.We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including:Medical, dental, and vision insurance (multiple plans available)401(k) with immediate employer match vestingPaid time off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays)Paid sabbatical after 5 years of serviceEmployee discountsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Benefits at Farmer's Fridge:In This Together - We stay connected, whether in person or virtually. We encourage business transparency through monthly town hall meetings and weekly financial updates.

We set out to make the best product on the market, and we believe we’ve done it. We value your input in the new menu creation process. From regular tasting panels, where employees provide new menu feedback. Happier Workdays - Each day at work should fill you with joy. We're a fun and passionate group, and we don't take ourselves too seriously. Bring your unique self to work, dress comfortably, and always feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We encourage curiosity; there's no hierarchy here when we're all swapping ideas.  Never run on empty - Daily Farmer's Fridge meal and office snacks are just some of the offerings to make sure you aren't distracted by a growling stomach.

Recharge with our paid sabbatical program after five years of service. Innovate & Elevate - We're all teachers and learners. You'll grow and help grow the company through cross-functional collaboration, open access to leadership, and regular business updates. You have a direct impact on the company’s bottom line. You can also impact your bottom line by participating in our 401(k) plan that includes a company match with immediate vesting.SummaryLocation: Chicago, IL, United StatesType: Full TimeExperience: ExperiencedDepartment: Technology