Sr. Software Engineer, Services

Sr. Software Engineer, Services

Job Purpose

Panera Bread is seeking a Sr. Software Engineer to design, develop, and optimize a scalable middleware layer (Backend-for-Frontend – BFF) supporting Web, Mobile, Kiosk, and emerging digital channels. This role focuses on building lightweight, secure, and high-performance APIs using Node.js, TypeScript, and GraphQL, while leveraging AI-enabled Developer Lifecycle Capabilities (DLC) to accelerate software delivery, improve code quality, and enhance customer experience across Panera’s digital platforms.

Location: St. Louis, MO (hybrid)

Duties & Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of this job include, but are not limited to:

• Design, develop, and maintain lightweight BFF services using Node.js and TypeScript to support Panera’s Web, Mobile, Kiosk, and digital ordering experiences
• Build and optimize RESTful, GraphQL APIs (schema design, resolvers, federation) with a focus on performance, scalability, and minimal payload delivery
• Leverage AI-powered development tools (code assistants, automated testing, and code quality tools) to accelerate development cycles and improve engineering productivity
• Collaborate with frontend, backend, product, and digital teams to define efficient API contracts and data orchestration strategies
• Implement secure-by-design APIs using industry best practices (OAuth2, JWT, API gateways, data protection standards)
• Optimize middleware performance via caching strategies, batching, and efficient data aggregation patterns
  Integrate with microservices, enterprise systems, and third-party platforms ensuring resiliency and fault tolerance
• Drive CI/CD automation and DevOps practices, incorporating AI-assisted testing, security scanning, and deployment validation
• Monitor system health and performance using observability tools, proactively identifying and resolving production issues
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to engineering excellence, including architecture standards and AI-enabled development practices
  
  

Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, with strong focus on backend, API, or middleware (BFF) development
• Strong understanding of Node.js, asynchronous programming, and TypeScript
• Experience with GraphQL (schema design, resolvers, performance tuning, federation concepts preferred)
• Experience designing lightweight, high-performance APIs and data aggregation layers
• Familiarity with AI-enabled Developer Lifecycle Capabilities (e.g., AI code assistants, automated testing, intelligent code analysis, DevOps automation tools)
• Strong understanding of API security best practices including authentication, authorization, encryption, and threat mitigation
• Experience with microservices architecture and distributed systems
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience building CI/CD pipelines with emphasis on automation, speed, and reliability
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and performance optimization skills
• Understanding of observability practices (logging, tracing, metrics)
• Strong collaboration and communication skills within cross-functional teams

Working Conditions

• Primary locations: Boston, MA or St. Louis, MO
• Hybrid work model: 4 days in office and 1 day remote per week

Physical Requirements

• While performing this job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, sit, talk hear & use hands and fingers to operate keyboards

Direct Reports

• N/A

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disabled/Veterans

Competitive Pay $127,461 - $152,953 annually

The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

Saint Louis Support Center

About Us

With more than 2,000 Panera LLC and independent franchise bakery-cafes in the Panera Bread® family, and more locations opening all the time, it’s no wonder our company has been an excellent source of career and personal growth opportunities for more than 25 years.

In neighborhoods across the U.S. and Canada, customers enjoy flavorful, handcrafted meals centered around freshly baked artisan bread. To us, that means serving food like we serve our own families – free of any of the items on our ‘No No’ List.

Along the way, we also like to give back to our community. We enjoy working together, shoulder to shoulder with our customers, to confront a serious problem plaguing communities across this country – Hunger. Through our Panera Cares community cafes, we offer a dignified dining experience in an uplifting environment. In addition, we support our communities through day-end donations at our bakery-cafe locations and partner with local non-profit organizations.

It’s this warmth that you’ll find when you join Panera Bread. From our competitive compensation and benefits packages to our unique cultural values, we’re confident you’ll find us a rewarding and fun place to work.

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