SDE 1

About the role

• You will design, build, and maintain backend systems that power Lokal's platform, working on services that scale across millions of users.
• Your work spans API development, database optimization, and infrastructure reliability to ensure smooth performance across the product.
• You will take full ownership of features and systems from conception through deployment, with the autonomy to make technical decisions in your area.
• You'll collaborate closely with a lean, self-directed team to deliver complete solutions without heavy process or bureaucracy.

What you'll work on

• Building and optimizing backend services using Python, Java, or JavaScript.
• Designing schemas and queries for both SQL and NoSQL databases to handle your system's data requirements.
• Creating efficient APIs and integrating third-party services into the platform.
• Implementing CI/CD pipelines, load balancing strategies, and containerized deployments to keep systems running smoothly.
• Debugging performance bottlenecks and scaling systems to handle growth.
• Working with distributed architecture patterns and solving challenges that come with building at scale.

What we're looking for

• Demonstrated strength in data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving across real projects.
• The ability to decompose large, tangled problems into clear, solvable pieces.
• Deep familiarity with at least one programming language or stack—you understand its strengths, trade-offs, and when to reach for alternatives.
• Hands-on backend development experience, ideally with Python, Java, or JavaScript.
• Working knowledge of SQL/NoSQL database design and how to model data for your use cases.
• Grounding in distributed systems concepts, API design principles, and system optimization.
• A self-directed approach: you take initiative, move fast, and need little oversight to stay on track.
• Genuine curiosity about large-scale systems and a drive to keep learning as problems grow bigger.

Bonus experience

• Background building products at startups or shipping at scale in large organizations.
• Familiarity with consumer tech, media platforms, or infrastructure decisions that shaped product direction.
• Direct involvement managing and scaling systems that handle real traffic and complexity.
• Experience with WebSockets or video streaming architectures and their challenges.
• Prior exposure to CI/CD tooling, containerization frameworks, and load-balancing approaches.