Principal Backend Engineer – Serverless Architectures

Job Description

Principal Software Engineer Backend Technologies, Platform | Turnitin

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Turnitin, located in UK Remote. Turnitin builds an award-winning educational platform, and this role is crucial for developing and enhancing the foundational systems that power both existing and new applications. The position focuses on building scalable distributed systems, data modeling, and delivering high-performing, reliable software solutions. This is a fully hands-on coding role that also requires active involvement in leading more junior engineers and collaborating with other teams.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: UK Remote

• Team: Core contributor to the shared services team.
• Mission: Developing and enhancing the foundational systems that power both existing and new applications within the educational platform.
• Tech Stack: Java, AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, React, Web Components, AWS (Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, SNS/SQS, EventBridge), CloudWatch, New Relic, Datadog

What You’ll Actually Do
• Lead and design the development and optimization of scalable backend services using Java and serverless technologies.
• Architect and implement RESTful APIs and event-driven systems to support high-performance, distributed applications.
• Provide technical leadership to the team, ensuring alignment with architectural standards and best practices.
• Analyze and optimize existing services to enhance performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
• Mentor and guide junior developers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the team.

The Must-Haves
• Background: This role requires a Principal Backend Engineer with over 10 years of experience, focusing on building scalable distributed systems, advanced data modeling, and delivering high-performing, reliable software solutions for an educational platform.
• Experience: Over 10 years of experience in backend development with deep proficiency in Java and extensive hands-on experience with serverless frameworks like AWS Lambda. This includes practical expertise in cloud technologies, specifically developing serverless applications on AWS using services such as Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, SNS/SQS, and EventBridge, coupled with proven experience as a Tech Lead.
• Skills: Expertise in designing and managing distributed systems, ensuring scalability, and advanced data modeling techniques. Solid understanding of frontend technologies, including React and Web Components, with the ability to contribute when needed. Proficiency in implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines, modern DevOps practices, and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC). Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and optimization skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Bonus: Experience with additional frontend technologies like Angular, familiarity with monitoring and observability tools (e.g., CloudWatch, New Relic, Datadog), knowledge of data modeling with NoSQL databases, understanding of agile methodologies (Scrum, XP, Kanban), and understanding or experience with AI/ML.