Backend Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Backend Engineer jobs in San Francisco concentrate in SoMa, Mission Bay, and the Financial District, with the city's dense cluster of fintech, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise SaaS companies driving steady demand for server-side and API specialists. Employers hiring right now include Rippling, Affirm, and OpenAI. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
Find Backend Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 3 of 305+ Backend Engineer jobs
About the Team
DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. We explore robotics and automation to transform last-mile logistics in the long term. If you have a passion for applying cutting-edge technology to solve complex problems and enhance delivery experiences for millions of users, we want to talk to you!
The Air team is focused on bringing the dream of fast, efficient, and delightful last mile delivery through the air to life. As one of the leaders in this space, we believe strongly in the promise of combining advanced robotics, aviation, and operational innovation to bring this high flying technology into our 3-sided marketplace. We are a team of doers, heavily focused on bringing our products and visions to market.
About the Role
Are you an engineer passionate about using UAV technology to reimagine logistics? Do you thrive in developing and deploying state-of-the-art systems in real-world environments? Do you love getting your hands dirty and turning large visions into practical realities? If so, we want to talk to you!
You're excited about this opportunity because you will...
- Design and implement backend services for autonomous drone delivery that integrates with core DoorDash data, focusing on intelligent path planning, real-time fleet management, and dynamic airspace awareness.
- Develop and maintain robust, scalable, and fault-tolerant systems to manage a fleet of delivery drones, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
- Implement simulations and testing frameworks to validate the performance and reliability of path planning algorithms.
- Improve performance, reliability, scalability, and security for our drone backend systems, with a particular emphasis on ensuring safe and compliant drone operations.
- Introduce tools and best practices to accelerate our drone development process and ensure adherence to aviation regulations.
We're excited about you because you have...
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- 6+ years of industry experience as a software engineer, with a focus on backend systems, robotics, or autonomous systems.
- Strong experience in developing and implementing algorithms for path planning.
- Experience with simulations and testing frameworks for robotics or autonomous systems.
- Experience with either Kotlin, or C++.
- Ability to improve efficiency, scalability, and stability of distributed systems, especially in a real-time operational context.
- Experience with service-oriented architecture, writing REST APIs, unit testing, and architectural design.
- Understanding of networking and communication protocols relevant to robotics and IoT (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP, MQTT).
- Experience with SQL or NoSQL databases.
- Familiarity with aviation regulations and safety standards (e.g., FAA Part 107) is a strong plus.
Nice to Have
Experience with these technologies is not required but helpful.
- Familiarity with Kotlin
- gRPC, Kafka, Redis, Postgres, or Cassandra
- AWS, Kubernetes, Docker
- Experience with ROS (Robot Operating System) or other robotics middleware
- Familiarity with geospatial data and mapping technologies (GIS)
We use Covey as part of our hiring and / or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT. As part of the evaluation process we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound on August 21, 2023.
Please see the independent bias audit report covering our use of Covey here.
About DoorDash
At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.
DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees' happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We're committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That's why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.
Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on "protected categories," we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.
If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.
Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only
We used Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provided Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023. We resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024, and ceased using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 30, 2026.
The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: https://getcovey.com/nyc-local-law-144.
About the Team
DoorDash Labs is an independent team within DoorDash. We explore robotics and automation to transform last-mile logistics in the long term. If you have a passion for applying cutting-edge technology to solve complex problems and enhance delivery experiences for millions of users, we want to talk to you!
The Air team is focused on bringing the dream of fast, efficient, and delightful last mile delivery through the air to life. As one of the leaders in this space, we believe strongly in the promise of combining advanced robotics, aviation, and operational innovation to bring this high flying technology into our 3-sided marketplace. We are a team of doers, heavily focused on bringing our products and visions to market.
About the Role
Are you an engineer passionate about using UAV technology to reimagine logistics? Do you thrive in developing and deploying state-of-the-art systems in real-world environments? Do you love getting your hands dirty and turning large visions into practical realities? If so, we want to talk to you!
You're excited about this opportunity because you will...
- Design and implement backend services for autonomous drone delivery that integrates with core DoorDash data, focusing on intelligent path planning, real-time fleet management, and dynamic airspace awareness.
- Develop and maintain robust, scalable, and fault-tolerant systems to manage a fleet of delivery drones, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
- Implement simulations and testing frameworks to validate the performance and reliability of path planning algorithms.
- Improve performance, reliability, scalability, and security for our drone backend systems, with a particular emphasis on ensuring safe and compliant drone operations.
- Introduce tools and best practices to accelerate our drone development process and ensure adherence to aviation regulations.
We're excited about you because you have...
- B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
- 6+ years of industry experience as a software engineer, with a focus on backend systems, robotics, or autonomous systems.
- Strong experience in developing and implementing algorithms for path planning.
- Experience with simulations and testing frameworks for robotics or autonomous systems.
- Experience with either Kotlin, or C++.
- Ability to improve efficiency, scalability, and stability of distributed systems, especially in a real-time operational context.
- Experience with service-oriented architecture, writing REST APIs, unit testing, and architectural design.
- Understanding of networking and communication protocols relevant to robotics and IoT (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP, MQTT).
- Experience with SQL or NoSQL databases.
- Familiarity with aviation regulations and safety standards (e.g., FAA Part 107) is a strong plus.
Nice to Have
Experience with these technologies is not required but helpful.
- Familiarity with Kotlin
- gRPC, Kafka, Redis, Postgres, or Cassandra
- AWS, Kubernetes, Docker
- Experience with ROS (Robot Operating System) or other robotics middleware
- Familiarity with geospatial data and mapping technologies (GIS)
We use Covey as part of our hiring and / or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT. As part of the evaluation process we provide Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound on August 21, 2023.
Please see the independent bias audit report covering our use of Covey here.
About DoorDash
At DoorDash, our mission to empower local economies shapes how our team members move quickly, learn, and reiterate in order to make impactful decisions that display empathy for our range of users—from Dashers to merchant partners to consumers. We are a technology and logistics company that started by enabling door-to-door delivery, and we are looking for team members who can help us go from a company that is known as the place you order food to a company that people turn to for any and all goods.
DoorDash is growing rapidly and changing constantly, which gives our team members the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, solve new challenges, and own their careers. We're committed to supporting employees' happiness, healthiness, and overall well-being by providing comprehensive benefits and perks including premium healthcare, wellness expense reimbursement, paid parental leave and more.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We're committed to growing and empowering a more inclusive community within our company, industry, and cities. That's why we hire and cultivate diverse teams of people from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has room at the table and the tools, resources, and opportunity to excel.
Statement of Non-Discrimination: In keeping with our beliefs and goals, no employee or applicant will face discrimination or harassment based on: race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, or veteran status. Above and beyond discrimination and harassment based on "protected categories," we also strive to prevent other subtler forms of inappropriate behavior (i.e., stereotyping) from ever gaining a foothold in our office. Whether blatant or hidden, barriers to success have no place at DoorDash. We value a diverse workforce – people who identify as women, non-binary or gender non-conforming, LGBTQIA+, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, differently-abled, caretakers and parents, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Thank you to the Level Playing Field Institute for this statement of non-discrimination.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.
If you need any accommodations, please inform your recruiting contact upon initial connection.
Notice to Applicants for Jobs Located in NYC or Remote Jobs Associated With Office in NYC Only
We used Covey as part of our hiring and/or promotional process for jobs in NYC and certain features may qualify it as an AEDT in NYC. As part of the hiring and/or promotion process, we provided Covey with job requirements and candidate submitted applications. We began using Covey Scout for Inbound from August 21, 2023, through December 21, 2023. We resumed using Covey Scout for Inbound again on June 29, 2024, and ceased using Covey Scout for Inbound on April 30, 2026.
The Covey tool has been reviewed by an independent auditor. Results of the audit may be viewed here: https://getcovey.com/nyc-local-law-144.
See All 305+ Backend Engineer Jobs in San Francisco
Find roles in San Francisco that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Backend Engineer JobsBackend Engineer Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- Rippling23
- Affirm16
- OpenAI9
- Pylon7
- EvenUp7
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software112
- Banking & Financial Services20
- Science & Research9
- Artificial Intelligence9
- Consulting & Professional Services7
Backend Engineer Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a backend engineer job in San Francisco?
Focus your search on San Francisco's fintech, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise SaaS sectors, which post the highest volume of backend roles locally. Companies in SoMa and Mission Bay tend to prioritize distributed systems experience, proficiency in Go, Python, or Java, and familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS or GCP. Candidates who can demonstrate shipped production systems and contributions to open-source projects stand out in this market.
Which companies hire backend engineers in San Francisco?
Companies currently hiring backend engineers in San Francisco include Rippling, Affirm, and OpenAI, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Francisco's employer mix ranges from early-stage startups in SoMa and the Mission to large public technology and financial services firms headquartered downtown.
Are there remote backend engineer jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, backend engineering is one of the more remote-compatible disciplines because the work centers on code, APIs, and cloud systems rather than physical presence. About 63% of backend engineer openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the city's long-standing remote culture among technology employers. Infrastructure and platform-focused roles tend to offer the most location flexibility.
How can I get a backend engineer job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is targeting junior or associate backend roles at San Francisco startups in SoMa and Mission Bay, which hire more aggressively at the entry level than established enterprise firms downtown. Bootcamp graduates and new computer science graduates gain traction by applying to companies with structured engineering rotations or apprenticeship programs. A portfolio of personal or open-source projects demonstrating REST API design or database work gives early-career candidates a concrete advantage in local interviews.
Which industries hire the most backend engineers in San Francisco?
San Francisco backend engineer roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Banking & Financial Services, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. San Francisco's position as a global hub for financial technology, cloud services, and consumer software platforms means these sectors generate sustained backend hiring regardless of broader market cycles.
Related Jobs in California
See All 305+ Backend Engineer Jobs in San Francisco
Find roles in San Francisco that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Backend Engineer Jobs