Backend Engineer, Otter - Los Angeles

Who we are 

In the past, to be a successful restaurateur, you simply had to have a passion for food and a passion for people - but to succeed as a digital restaurateur you also need to have a passion for technology. We believe in the joy of serving others, and that's why we created Otter – to help restaurateurs succeed in online food delivery. Restaurants around the world, both large and small, including Chick-fil-A, Ben & Jerry’s, KFC, and Eataly trust our software to power their delivery business. We increase sales, reduce order issues, and decrease delivery headaches. 

What you’ll do

• Engineer backend services that support customer-facing applications and deliver seamless user experiences.
• Build applications that leverage Machine Learning, AI and custom hardware to optimize kitchen workflows. 

Core Responsibilities:

• Architect and implement scalable backend systems and APIs.
• Ensure high system performance, reliability, and security.
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and other engineers to deliver end-to-end solutions.
• Participate in code reviews, testing, and documentation to maintain high-quality standards.
• Mentor junior engineers or take on leadership roles, depending on your seniority.

What we’re looking for

We value diversity of experience and are looking for individuals passionate about solving complex problems. 

Basic Qualifications:

• Proficiency in backend programming languages like Java or Go.
• Familiarity with relational and/or NoSQL databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis).
• Experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
• Understanding of RESTful APIs, microservices, and distributed systems.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications (for Senior Levels):

• Experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Exposure to large-scale data processing or event-driven architectures.
• Leadership experience in team projects or mentoring roles.

Ways to Stand Out

• Experience building Python and Node applications, especially those that run on Raspberry Pi or Linux
• Experience with Computer Vision, Machine Learning and AI

Why join us 

• Demand for online food delivery is growing really fast! In the last 5 years, just in the US, the overall market has expanded 10X from $10B to $100B, and could expand to $500bn- $1T by 2030.
• Changing the restaurant industry: You’ll be part of a team that helps restaurants succeed in online food delivery. 
• Collaborative environment: You will receive support and guidance from experienced colleagues and managers, helping you to learn, grow and achieve your goals, and you’ll work closely with other teams to ensure our customer’s success.

 

What else you need to know 

This role is based in our LA-HQ office location. As a company driven by innovation and continuous change, close collaboration is essential. We’re constantly reimagining our industry, creating new products, and refining our processes, and we do our best work together. That’s why all of our office-based teams work onsite, five days a week. 

Ready to join us as we serve those who serve others? 

#LI-Onsite