Sr. AI-First Backend & Data Engineer

Team Description On the Pendo Predict team, we build the end-to-end Go-To-Market predictive analytics platform where ML and AI driven insights are embedded directly into production workflows - driving real-time decisions and at scale. Our team owns everything from backend services and distributed data pipelines to ML and AI-powered capabilities. We’re evolving toward AI-native engineering - where AI components are first-class runtime dependencies and agentic AI development meaningfully increases engineering velocity. We’re looking for a Sr. Software Engineer who can strengthen our distributed foundations while helping shape our AI path. This is a high-ownership role in a team that influences architecture, technical direction, and business outcomes. This role is about execution and impact. If you are an experienced builder of production grade, data driven systems, maniacal for customer value and deeply eager, curious and enthusiastic about leveraging the power of AI - this role is for you. Role Responsibilities Design, build, and own scalable data, ML and AI pipelines and backend systems that power Predict’s E2E platform. Integrate ML and AI capabilities into live backend workflows where models are part of production decision-making. Shape how AI transforms our software development lifecycle - from system design to code generation, review, and experimentation. Help define team standards for AI integration and AI-augmented development. Take end-to-end ownership from design through production deployment, monitoring, and impact measurement. Make pragmatic architectural decisions that balance modern AI/data technologies with reliability, cost, and delivery timelines. Collaborate cross-functionally with product, design, infrastructure, and partner teams to translate customer and business needs into elegant technical solutions. Drive operational excellence through robust monitoring, alerting, and continuous improvement of availability, throughput, and cost efficiency. Minimum Qualifications 5+ years building production-grade backend, data pipelines and event-driven systems in distributed cloud environments (AWS and/or GCP). Deep backend expertise in Java (Spring Boot), Python and/or Go. Hands-on experience with relational and non-relational databases, data modeling, and query optimization. Experience with integrating AI, LLM or agent-based components into backend workflows. Strong hands-on experience leveraging AI tooling to accelerate engineering workflows and system design. Strong engineering fundamentals: testing, CI/CD, observability, reliability, and production ownership Thrive in high-ownership, fast-paced environments Preferred Qualifications Experience shipping ML and ML-Ops powered systems in production. Experience with distributed data technologies (e.g., Parquet, Athena, or similar query engines). Pendo Description: Pendo was founded in 2013 by former product managers, who combined their heads and hearts to build something they wanted but never had as product managers -- a simple way to understand and attack what truly drives product success. Our mission is to improve society's experience with software. Come join one of the fastest-growing startups, supported by best-in-class institutions like Battery Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, Spark Capital and Meritech. You will gain experience in a diverse and exciting set of technologies and clients and have a real impact on Pendo's future. Our culture is passionate, dynamic, and fun. EEOC We are an equal opportunity employer and believe having diverse teams where everyone brings their whole self to Pendo is key to our success. We welcome all people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Accessibility Pendo is committed to working with, and providing access and reasonable accommodation to, applicants with mental and/or physical disabilities. If you think you may require an accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, please send a request to: accommodation@pendo.io. All requests for accommodations are treated discreetly and confidentially, as practical and permitted by law. Compensation Our salary ranges are based on paying competitively for our size and industry, and are one part of many compensation, benefits and other reward opportunities we provide. Individual pay rate decisions, including offers made within and over the expected salary range, are based on a number of factors, including qualifications for the role, experience level, skillset, and balancing internal equity relative to peers at the company.