The Backend Engineer within the Innovation Lab will architect, bootstrap, maintain, and scale early-stage software projects that are high innovation priorities for Consumer Reports. This engineer will mainly focus on the Permission Slip by CR mobile app, serving as Tech Lead in addition to providing backend development support; about 20% of time will be devoted to other software projects across the Lab which could be websites, databases, or early prototypes. 

This role requires a strong foundation in backend development, including expertise in designing robust and scalable architecture, optimizing performance, and ensuring the reliability and security of our systems. In addition to hands-on software development, you will lead by example and help shape the Lab’s budding engineering culture.

 

Under our CRFlex program, this position is eligible for Fully Remote status for candidates who live more than 75 miles from one of our main office locations (Yonkers, NY, Washington DC, Colchester, CT). Additionally, the successful candidate must reside in one of the following locations: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Vermont, Washington D.C. 

 

THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR SPONSORSHIP

You’ll design and ship software that has a real impact on the marketplace, the law and people's lives. You will partner with Product and Research teams to understand requirements, architect solutions, and implement features that meet business needs. You'll ensure reliability, availability and security of backend services and write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.

 

As Software Engineer you will serve as a point of escalation for technical issues and provide hands-on-support to help resolve critical problems as well as document technical system architecture, and implementation details for reference and knowledge sharing. You will own project delivery of tasks and facilitate collaboration and communication within the team and across departments, ensuring alignment and transparency to promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

You’ll Be Highly Rated If:

• You have a bachelor's degree in computer science or related field and a minimum of 4 years relevant experience (bachelor's may be substituted for an equivalent combination of education and/or work experience)
• You enjoy collaborating with diverse, cross-functional teams and working in multidisciplinary environments
• You have demonstrated ability to develop backend systems and deploy them in production
• You have experience with git, version control, and CI/CD
• You have experience with modern web technologies, design patterns and databases
• You have exceptional communication skills and ability to mentor others

You'll be one of our top picks if:

• You have experience working on early-stage or growth-stage software
• You have fluency with Python and/or Django
• You are familiar with Postgres and AWS

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Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to a fair and just marketplace for consumers. Our team is made up of truth tellers, change agents, and consumer advocates who investigate and build coalitions to fight for fairness and justice in the marketplace. We leverage our evidence-based approach to demand safer products, a healthier environment, and equitable services for everyone.

Our mission starts with you. We offer medical benefits from that start on your first day as a CR employee that include behavioral health coverage and unlimited sick days. There’s also generous family planning benefits and a generous 401K match. Learn more about how CR’s advocates for strong benefits on behalf of their employees here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/careers/landing-page/index.htm

At Consumer Reports, we are committed to fair, transparent pay and we strive to provide competitive, market-informed compensation. The target salary range for this position is $126k to $150k. It is anticipated that most qualified candidates will fall near the middle of this range. Compensation for the successful candidate will be informed by the candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience.

Consumer Reports proudly seeks to build a richly diverse workforce by hiring people with a diversity of thoughts, identities, perspectives, and experiences that help advance the difference we make for consumers, and by ensuring our people experience equity and inclusion in their work lives. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, LGBTQIA people, people of color, and people with disabilities.