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Principal Backend Engineer

qualified-health-pbcPalo Alto - Hybrid Engineering
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Salary
Not listed
Job type
Full-time
Experience
Senior
Posted
9 Oct 2026
Status
Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

This Principal Backend Engineer position suits an experienced technical leader with a strong background in distributed systems and generative AI who wants to shape platform architecture in Palo Alto. Based in Palo Alto with a hybrid work schedule requiring three days on-site per week, the position involves guiding the technical direction of a software platform focused on generative artificial intelligence for the healthcare sector.

Role Overview

Qualified Health is seeking a Principal Backend Engineer for its software-as-a-service platform. As a senior technical leader within the engineering organization, the professional will define core service architecture, elevate organizational engineering standards, and collaborate with leadership to align product strategy with a scalable and secure platform. The individual will handle complex technical challenges while mentoring engineering colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

Establish architecture and long-term technical vision for core platform services to support customer growth and regulated healthcare needs.
Direct the design and delivery of cross-team projects from conception to production while documenting technical trade-offs.
Write and review critical code to maintain standards for quality, security, and performance.
Manage infrastructure automation, observability, monitoring, incident response, and reliability objectives.
Collaborate with product, security, compliance, and client-facing teams to convert requirements into platform features.
Coach senior and staff engineers while fostering technical leadership.
Conduct technical reviews, guide architectural decisions, and produce technical documentation.
Act as a primary escalation contact for production issues, executing root cause analysis and systemic solutions.
Assess emerging technologies in the generative AI ecosystem for build-or-buy decisions.
Participate in engineering planning to scope and de-risk milestones.

Requirements

Demonstrated history of designing, deploying, and running generative AI applications or platforms in production at scale.
Extensive expertise in Python, practical knowledge of TypeScript or Java, and hands-on experience with compiled languages like Go or Rust.
Experience building secure, observable distributed systems, microservices, and RESTful APIs.
Hands-on experience with major cloud platforms including AWS, GCP, or Azure, alongside Terraform for infrastructure as code.
Familiarity with DevOps workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and observability tools.
Production experience using Docker and Kubernetes for containerization and orchestration.
Background in technical leadership spanning cross-team initiatives, architectural influence, and mentorship.
Communication skills suitable for explaining technical topics to engineers, executives, and clients.
Problem-solving abilities suited for ambiguous and fast-paced settings.
Availability to work from the Palo Alto office three days per week.

Nice to Have

Significant experience with GCP and working knowledge of AWS and Azure.
Background in AI and machine learning platforms or frameworks such as PyTorch and TensorFlow, including LLM serving and monitoring.
Experience developing platforms within regulated frameworks like HIPAA or SOC 2.
Familiarity with front-end frameworks including React, Angular, or Vue.js.
Prior background in the healthcare sector.
Experience as an early engineering team member at a high-growth organization.

Skills and Tools

Python
TypeScript
Java
Go
Rust
AWS
GCP
Azure
Terraform
Docker
Kubernetes
TensorFlow
PyTorch
React
Angular
Vue.js

Salary and Benefits

Salary range between $230,000 and $280,000 based on skills, qualifications, experience, and location
Equity packages
Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
Flexible working hours and hybrid work arrangements

About the Company

Qualified Health develops infrastructure that offers guardrails for safe artificial intelligence governance, healthcare-specific agent creation, and real-time algorithm monitoring in collaboration with health systems.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume on the official company careers page.

Skills and tech stack

PythonTypeScriptJavaGoRustAWSGCPAzureTerraformDockerKubernetesTensorFlowPyTorchReactAngularVue.jsLLMGenerative AIDistributed Systems

Questions candidates ask

What is the location and work arrangement for the Principal Backend Engineer?

The role is based in Palo Alto on a hybrid schedule, requiring employees to work on-site three days per week.

What is the salary range for this position?

The salary range is between $230,000 and $280,000, determined by qualifications, skills, experience, and location, and includes equity and benefits.

What programming languages are required or preferred?

The role requires deep expertise in Python, working proficiency in TypeScript or Java, and hands-on experience with a modern compiled language such as Go or Rust.

What cloud platforms and infrastructure tools does the company use?

The engineering team utilizes major cloud platforms including AWS, GCP, and Azure, along with Terraform, Docker, and Kubernetes.

Are there any preferred backgrounds for this role?

Desirable backgrounds include experience with GCP, AI and machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, regulated environments such as HIPAA or SOC 2, front-end technologies, healthcare, or early-stage high-growth companies.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official qualified-health-pbc careers page.

Apply on company site