Senior or Principal Backend Developer (Node.JS)

Kforce's client, a fast-growing and innovative company in the Plano, TX area is seeking a Senior to Principal Backend Engineer focused on Node.js. Summary: Our backend systems are the foundation of the traveler and vacation experience, supporting millions of users and high-volume transactions. This hybrid role requires 2-3 days onsite per week. We are working directly with the hiring manager on this exclusive search assignment. As a Backend Engineer, you will collaborate with product, engineering, and leadership teams to build scalable services and APIs that power our platform. You will play a key role in shaping system architecture, driving performance, and fostering engineering excellence. Responsibilities:

• Architect and develop robust APIs and backend services using Node.js, PostgreSQL, and Redis
• Optimize complex SQL queries and database schemas for high-speed performance across large datasets
• Solve high-scale engineering challenges to ensure reliability under heavy traffic
• Work cross-functionally to deliver backend features aligned with product goals
• Identify and resolve technical debt; lead refactoring efforts to future-proof the stack
• Participate in standups, code reviews, and deployment processes
• Mentor team members and promote technical excellence
• Own projects end-to-end-from concept through production
• BS degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or equivalent work experience
• At least 5-8+ years of backend development engineering experience
• Deep expertise in Node.js and backend JavaScript
• Strong proficiency with PostgreSQL or similar relational databases
• Strong experience with API connections, timing, and asynchronous code
• Advanced SQL skills-able to write, debug, and optimize complex queries
• Experience building high-traffic, consumer-facing platforms
• Proven ability to scale systems to millions of daily users
• Familiarity with DevOps and cloud infrastructure (Google Cloud or AWS preferred), including CI/CD and infrastructure as code
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Startup experience and entrepreneurial mindset or working in smaller companies would be ideal
• Agile development experience (daily standups, 2-week sprints)

• Experience in travel, marketplace, or e-commerce domains
• Exposure to machine learning platforms like Vertex AI, SageMaker, or Azure ML
• Contributions to open-source projects or tech communities