Senior II Back-End Engineer

About the role

Preply is hiring a Senior II Back-End Engineer in Kyiv. You will drive technical direction across multiple engineering squads, lead complex initiatives and build the backend systems that power the company's global growth. Python is the primary language, but prior experience is not mandatory; engineers from other stacks such as Java, Node.js, Ruby, Scala.NET, PHP or Go are welcome.

Key responsibilities

• Shape and drive technical direction across multiple squads.
• Lead complex, ambiguous initiatives from idea to delivery, aligning engineers, product managers and stakeholders.
• Design, build and evolve scalable backend systems with Python/Django, data pipelines and third-party integrations.
• Partner with PMs, EMs and senior stakeholders on roadmaps, technical trade-offs and investment decisions.
• Mentor engineers, run architectural reviews and promote engineering best practices.
• Drive reliability, observability, performance and operational excellence across services.
• Foster a quality-first culture through automation, documentation and continuous improvement.
• Take part in the on-call rotation (1 week every 5 weeks).

Required profile

• Experience leading complex, greenfield projects end-to-end.
• Track record of shaping architectural decisions and setting engineering standards across teams.
• Comfort shaping product scope and challenging requirements.
• Strong communication in English (B2+), able to influence senior peers and leadership.
• Willingness to join the on-call rotation.

Required skills

• Knowledge of architectural patterns in large, high-scale web applications (well-designed APIs, high-volume data pipelines, efficient algorithms).
• AI expertise: hands-on use of agentic AI, setting quality gates and safety nets, and proposing AI-native alternatives.
• Python/Django preferred; other languages such as Java, Node.js, Ruby, Scala.NET, PHP or Go also accepted.

What we offer

• A generous monthly allowance for lessons on Preply.com, a learning and development budget and time off for self-development.
• A competitive package with equity, leave allowance and health insurance.
• Free access to mental health support platforms.