[Remote] Backend Software Engineer (Contract)

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. ArenaNet, developer and publisher of the Guild Wars game series, is seeking an experienced Backend Software Engineer for its Server Engineering team. The role focuses on building and maintaining backend microservices, RESTful APIs, database schemas, and SQL queries while improving the reliability, performance, and maintainability of established backend systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain backend microservices and RESTful APIs using Python and Flask
• Develop new functionality within an established production codebase while maintaining existing system behavior and compatibility
• Design and optimize database schemas, SQL queries, and data access patterns using MSSQL and MySQL
• Investigate existing architecture, dependencies, and business logic to understand how changes may affect interconnected systems
• Troubleshoot and resolve backend performance, reliability, and data-related issues
• Write clean, maintainable, well-tested code and participate in code reviews
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, and potential impacts before implementing changes
• Collaborate with engineers and cross-functional partners to understand requirements and develop practical technical solutions
• Contribute to the ongoing reliability, scalability, and maintainability of backend systems

Skills

• • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• • 2+ years of professional software engineering experience with a focus on backend development
• • Strong proficiency with Python
• • Professional experience developing backend applications and services using Flask or a comparable Python web framework
• • Experience designing and developing RESTful APIs and microservices
• • Strong experience with relational databases and SQL, including schema design, query development, and optimization
• • Experience with MSSQL and/or MySQL
• • Experience working effectively within large or established codebases
• • Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, with the ability to understand unfamiliar systems and trace dependencies
• • Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code
• • Strong communication and collaboration skills
• • Ability to work independently, manage assigned projects through completion, and proactively communicate risks or blockers
• • Redis for caching
• • RabbitMQ or other message-queue technologies
• • Docker
• • Kubernetes
• • Git
• • Jenkins or other CI/CD tools
• • apiDoc or similar API documentation tools
• • Experience supporting high-availability or production backend systems
• This is a 6 month remote-friendly contract, but we are currently prioritizing candidates who are local to the Bellevue, WA area and open to occasional onsite collaboration

Benefits

• This is a 6 month remote-friendly contract, but we are currently prioritizing candidates who are local to the Bellevue, WA area and open to occasional onsite collaboration.
• This is an hourly contract role with overtime pay when applicable.
• The role is benefits-eligible through our third-party employer, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and flexible/dependent care accounts.

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