Staff Engineer, Backend Platform at Zūm

Redwood City, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

School Transportation, Technology, SaaSIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science (or equivalent)
8+ years of industry experience as a Software Engineer or Staff Engineer
Proven experience building backend systems for enterprise-level applications across multiple platforms
Strong hands-on skills in architectural design and backend development
Experience with relational and non-relational databases
Proficiency in one or more backend programming languages: Node.js, Java, or Python
Hands-on experience deploying and managing applications in cloud environments (AWS or Google Cloud)
Experience building scalable systems—both vertically and horizontally
Proficient in developing APIs for internal and external use with a strong focus on performance, scalability, and security
Experience with microservice-based architectures
Strong technical experience and eagerness to enforce and establish good coding conventions
Good planning, organization, and decision-making skills
Good communication with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders
Located in the Bay Area (required for hybrid position with minimum 3 days on-site per week in Redwood City, CA)

Responsibilities

Design the architecture of the Backend platform
Work with 2-4 backend developers to deliver high-quality product features
Introduce tools and processes to scale (and accelerate) development processes
Work with the Product and Design team to plan and deliver new product features
Improve the existing Backend platform while adding new features and content to the product
Hands-on coding while owning the full development lifecycle—from ideation to deployment

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Backend EngineeringPlatform ArchitectureSystem DesignDeveloper ToolsScaling ProcessesProduct Delivery

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this position remote or hybrid, and what's the location requirement?

This is a hybrid position based out of headquarters in Redwood City, CA, requiring on-site presence a minimum of 3 days per week (Monday - Thursday). Only candidates already located in the Bay Area will be considered.

What are the key required skills and experience for this Staff Engineer role?

Candidates need a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science (or equivalent), 8+ years of industry experience as a Software Engineer or Staff Engineer, proven backend systems experience for enterprise applications, proficiency in Node.js, Java, or Python, experience with relational/non-relational databases, and hands-on cloud deployment in AWS or Google Cloud.

What is the salary or compensation for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the company culture like at Zum?

Zum values self-driven developers who devise simple solutions to complex problems, thrive in building products with full ownership, and make significant business impact. The work environment emphasizes hands-on coding, full development lifecycle ownership, and collaboration with small teams of 2-4 backend developers.

What makes a strong candidate for this Backend Platform Staff Engineer role?

Strong candidates are self-driven engineers with 8+ years of experience building scalable backend systems, proficiency in Node.js, Java, or Python, cloud deployment expertise, and the ability to lead architecture design while owning the full development lifecycle in a collaborative team setting.

Zūm

Tech-driven school transportation solutions

About Zūm

Zum provides a transportation solution specifically designed for school children, focusing on efficiency and environmental sustainability. The company operates a fleet that includes electric vehicles, aiming to reduce carbon emissions in school transportation. Zum's platform utilizes analytics to optimize operations, featuring an app that allows parents, drivers, and schools to track the location of buses and students in real-time. This enhances safety and provides transparency, while also saving time and costs for both schools and parents. Additionally, the platform offers tools for drivers and operators to manage fleets and staffing, ensuring optimized routes and individual student care. Zum differentiates itself from competitors through its commitment to safety, transparency, and sustainability, as well as its focus on cost and time savings. The company's goal is to create a reliable and eco-friendly transportation service that meets the needs of students, parents, and schools.

Redwood City, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2014Year Founded

$358.7MTotal Funding

GRANTCompany Stage

Data & Analytics, Automotive & TransportationIndustries

201-500Employees