Backend Engineer

Position Title: Backend Engineer Location: Remote (In the U.S Other Considerations: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Required) POSITION SUMMARY We are seeking a Backend Engineer to join our team supporting VA.gov Platform. In this role you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the APIs, services, tools and platform capabilities that power and maintain VA.gov. This role builds secure, scalable, and reliable backend systems that enable engineering teams across VA.gov to deliver digital services to millions of Veterans. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is passionate about developing reusable services, integrating enterprise systems, and contributing to platform architecture while maintaining high standards for security, reliability, and operational excellence. RESPONSIBILITIES Design, develop, and maintain backend services using Ruby and Ruby on Rails Build secure, scalable REST APIs supporting Platform and product teams Develop reusable services and shared backend capabilities Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code Improve backend architecture, scalability, and performance Build reusable libraries and services supporting multiple engineering teams Participate in platform modernization and technical architecture initiatives Contribute to service reliability and operational excellence Integrate with internal and external enterprise systems Design secure authentication and authorization patterns Maintain API contracts and documentation Support service-to-service communication and distributed architectures Develop automated tests and participate in code reviews Support CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation Troubleshoot production issues and participate in incident response Monitor service performance and implement reliability improvements QUALIFICATIONS Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance Bachelor’s Degree 10 years’ experience as a Backend or Full Stack Engineer Strong experience with Ruby and Ruby on Rails Experience designing and building RESTful APIs Experience with PostgreSQL or other relational databases Experience integrating with external APIs and services Familiarity with background job processing (e.g., Sidekiq) Experience with Git and GitHub workflows Experience writing automated tests (RSpec preferred) Understanding of distributed systems and service-oriented architecture Experience working in Agile software development environments WORKING CONDITIONS Standard Business hours are Monday through Friday. Occasional extended or weekend hours may be required based on operational needs. Must have reliable internet service that allows for effective telecommuting.  PAY RANGE The base salary range for this position is $140,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on geographic work location, relevant experience, skills, education, internal equity, security clearance, and contract requirements. Geographic salary ranges are determined in accordance with the company's compensation practices and represent a good-faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. BENEFITS Sprezzatura offers a comprehensive and flexible benefit package to include: Medical, Dental, and Vision Health Saving Account (when enrolled in eligible plan) with Company contribution Company paid Life, Accidental Death, Short-term & Long-term Disability Voluntary Accident, Hospital Indemnity, & Critical Care Insurance Voluntary Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts Accrued Paid Time Off & Company Paid Holidays 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company match WORK AUTHORIZATION Sprezzatura participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Sprezzatura is a mission-driven, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that thrives at the intersection of technology, innovation, and impact. We specialize in secure, scalable, and human-centered digital solutions that accelerate government transformation. Our work spans DevSecOps, health IT modernization, intelligent automation, benefits delivery, and digital communications. We partner with agencies ready to evolve—delivering not just strategy, but measurable execution. Rooted in operational excellence and driven by curiosity, we help our clients navigate complexity with clarity—turning ambitious ideas into real-world outcomes. No buzzwords. Just impact. EEO STATEMENT Sprezzatura is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. Applicants have the right to discuss, disclose, or inquire about compensation without retaliation. Reasonable accommodations are available for qualified individuals with disabilities. This job description is not intended to be an employment contract and does not guarantee employment for any specific duration.