Backend Software Engineer; Python

Overview

We’re seeking a Software Engineer II with deep experience building event-driven, distributed, and scalable systems in Python. You’ll design and optimize large-scale data and service pipelines running on AWS, supporting Scribd’s content enrichment and metadata systems. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to design reliable backend services that integrate machine learning models and LLM-based components when needed. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge generative AI and metadata enrichment problems at a truly global scale.

Our backend systems are primarily built in Python, leveraging AWS services such as Lambda, ECS, SQS, and Elasti Cache for event-driven and distributed processing. We also use Airflow, Spark, Databricks, Terraform, and Datadog for orchestration, data processing, and observability.

• Design and implement event-driven, distributed systems to extract, enrich, and process metadata from large-scale document and media datasets.
• Build and maintain scalable APIs and backend services for high-throughput content processing.
• Leverage AWS services (ECS, Lambda, SQS, Elasti Cache, Cloud Watch) to design and deploy resilient, high-performance systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver backend solutions that power ML-driven features.
• Optimize and refactor existing backend systems for scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Ensure system health and data integrity through monitoring, observability, and automated testing.

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience on Python or distributed systems development.
• Strong proficiency in Python (3+ years). Experience with Scala is a plus.
• Proven experience designing and building event-driven, distributed, and scalable systems.
• Hands-on experience with AWS services (ECS, Lambda, SQS, SNS, Cloud Watch, etc.).
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools like Terraform.
• Solid understanding of system performance, profiling, and optimization.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent professional experience.
• Bonus:
  Familiarity with data processing frameworks (Spark, Databricks) and workflow orchestration tools.
• Bonus:
  Experience integrating ML or LLM-based models into production systems.

At Scribd, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package and is determined within a range. The salary ranges are based on local cost of labor benchmarks for each role, level, and geographic location. The following ranges are provided for guidance:

United States (excluding California): roughly $103,500 to $186,500. California: roughly $126,000 to $196,000. Canada: roughly $131,500 CAD to $174,500 CAD. These ranges reflect the level at which this job has been scoped; higher or lower ranges may apply for different levels. This position is eligible for equity and a comprehensive benefits package.

Are you based in a location where Scribd can employ you? Primary residence should be in or near one of the allowed cities in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. Examples include major metro areas across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico City. Details may vary by geography and role.

• Healthcare Insurance Coverage (Medical/Dental/Vision): 100% paid for employees
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Short-term/long-term disability plans
• 401k/RSP matching
• Onboarding stipend for home office peripherals + accessories
• Learning & Development allowance
• Quarterly stipend for Wellness, WiFi, etc.
• Mental Health support & resources
• Free subscription to the Scribd Inc. suite of products
• Referral Bonuses
• Book Benefit
• Sabbaticals
• Company-wide events
• Team engagement budgets
• Vacation & Personal Days
• Paid Holidays (+ winter break)
• Flexible Sick Time
• Volunteer Day
• Inclusive workplace programs and access to AI tools to boost productivity

Scribd is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply and believe that a diversity of perspectives and experiences create the best ideas.