Senior Backend & Data Engineer, Content Platform at SoundCloud

Berlin, New Jersey, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Technology, MusicIndustries

Requirements

Proven experience in backend engineering (Scala/Go/Python) with strong design and data modeling skills
Hands-on experience building ETL/ELT pipelines and streaming solutions on cloud platforms (GCP preferred)
Proficient in SQL and experienced with relational and NoSQL databases
Familiarity with event-driven architectures and messaging systems (Pub/Sub, Kafka, etc.)
Knowledge of data governance, schema management, and versioning best practices
Understanding observability practices: logging, metrics, tracing, and incident response
Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
Experience deploying and managing services in cloud environments, preferably GCP, AWS
Strong collaboration skills and ability to work across backend, data, and product teams

Responsibilities

Design, build, and maintain high-performance services for content modeling, serving, and integration
Develop data pipelines (batch & streaming) with cloud native tools
Collaborate on rearchitecting the content model to support rich metadata
Implement APIs and data services that power internal products, external integrations, and real-time features
Ensure data quality, governance, and validation across ingestion, storage, and serving layers
Optimize system performance, scalability, and cost efficiency for both backend services and data workflows
Work with infrastructure-as-code (Terraform) and CI/CD pipelines for deployment and automation
Monitor, debug, and improve reliability using various observability tools (logging, tracing, metrics)
Collaborate with product leadership, music industry experts, and engineering teams across SoundCloud

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

ScalaGoPythonSQLETLELTGCPTerraformCI/CDNoSQLStreaming

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What programming languages are required for this role?

The role requires proven experience in backend engineering with Scala, Go, or Python, along with strong design and data modeling skills.

What is the work location or remote policy?

SoundCloud has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, and London, with a flexible work culture that accommodates work from home and in-person collaboration.

What cloud platforms are preferred?

Experience with GCP is preferred for building ETL/ELT pipelines and streaming solutions, along with deploying services in cloud environments like GCP or AWS.

What is the company culture like?

SoundCloud cultivates an environment for learning and growth, with a flexible work culture and deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion where everyone's voice is respected.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

Strong candidates have proven backend experience in Scala/Go/Python, hands-on work with data pipelines on cloud platforms like GCP, proficiency in SQL and databases, and strong collaboration skills across teams.

SoundCloud

Digital music streaming platform for creators

About SoundCloud

SoundCloud is a digital music streaming platform that allows users to listen to a vast library of over 265 million music tracks for free. Users can access music online, making it a popular choice for individual listeners, artists, bands, DJs, and audio creators. The platform operates on a multifaceted business model, offering a free tier with ads and premium subscription plans like SoundCloud Go and SoundCloud Go+, which provide ad-free listening, offline access, and higher audio quality. Additionally, SoundCloud has a monetization program called SoundCloud Premier, which enables artists to earn money from their tracks through ad revenue and fan support. This focus on both music consumers and creators, along with its extensive library and community of content creators, sets SoundCloud apart from its competitors. The company's goal is to enrich the music experience for users while providing opportunities for artists to monetize their work.

Berlin, GermanyHeadquarters

2007Year Founded

$450.8MTotal Funding

SERIES_GCompany Stage

Consumer Software, EntertainmentIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as mental health resources

Robust 401k program

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Generous professional development allowance

Interested in a gym membership, photography course or book? We have a Creativity and Wellness benefit!

Flexible vacation and public holiday policy where you can take up to 35 days of PTO annually

16 paid weeks for all parents (birthing and non-birthing), regardless of gender, to welcome newborns, adopted and foster children

Various snacks, goodies, and 2 free lunches weekly when at the office

Risks

Cheaper artist plans may reduce revenue per user without a subscriber increase.

SoundCloud's merch store faces competition from established platforms like Bandcamp and Teespring.

New algorithms may face backlash if perceived as unfair or ineffective by artists.

Differentiation

SoundCloud offers a unique social platform for creators to connect with fans globally.

The platform's vast library of 265 million tracks sets it apart from competitors.

SoundCloud's artist monetization program, SoundCloud Premier, attracts a diverse creator community.

Upsides

AI-driven music tools enhance user engagement with personalized experiences and innovative content.

'Fan-powered' Buzzing Playlists increase user interaction by spotlighting emerging artists.

The beta merchandise program provides additional revenue streams, enhancing artist loyalty.

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