Staff Backend Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Portugal.

📋 Description

• Design context pipelines for AI agents: streamline inputs into the context window (repository boundaries, domain expertise, test results, CI feedback) to ensure agents generate reliable and mergeable code, rather than merely plausible code.

• Develop task specifications that are actionable for agents (clear acceptance criteria, referenced modules, and explicit constraints).

• Create and sustain agent-ready systems: well-defined repositories, comprehensive test suites as safeguards, and CI/CD pipelines with structured outputs that agents can interpret and act upon.

• Act as an AI Champion: engage with and enhance our expanding AI Champion community, participate in workshops, curate efficient agentic workflows, and mentor engineers on AI-supported practices. Contribute to organization-wide AI tooling assessments and OLX AI practices repositories.

• Spearhead the transition from a legacy monolithic architecture to microservices, making decisions on domain decomposition. Focus on optimizing agentic workflows within a codebase that is undergoing continuous boundary redefinition.

• Set high standards for GraphQL API design, RESTful contracts, database schema, and CI/CD quality throughout the team.

• Collaborate with product and engineering leadership to pinpoint high-value challenges, propose initiatives, and guide significant technical directions without direct authority.

• Assist senior engineers in managing and mitigating technical debt, leveraging AI as an enhancer rather than a shortcut.

⛳️ Requirements

• You utilize agentic workflows (such as Claude Code, Cursor Agent, or equivalent) as your primary approach, rather than as an exception.

• You engage in context engineering, not merely prompt engineering; you architect the complete information framework an AI agent requires to thrive: repository structure, CLAUDE.md / AGENTS.md configurations, pertinent code context, memory, and tool accessibility.

• You possess an understanding of model routing trade-offs (e.g., when to opt for Haiku, Sonnet, or Opus) and multi-agent orchestration.

• Strong sense of ownership: AI output is viewed as a first draft, not a finalized product; you validate, refine, and assume full responsibility.

• Solid foundation in Coding and Computer Science Fundamentals. Approximately two-thirds of your time will involve hands-on technical tasks: designing solutions, steering and reviewing AI-generated code, innovating new concepts, and evaluating contributions from others.

• Strong background in Golang and Java/Kotlin (preferred technologies), with the ability to work with PHP. Adaptable and capable of responding to evolving project needs, roles, and backend technologies.

• Expertise in Scalable Systems. Experience with large-scale web applications, an economic mindset, and the ability to design well-defined, future-proof domain systems aligned with business goals.

• In-depth knowledge of scalable distributed systems, CI/CD, RESTful and GraphQL APIs, AWS, and both relational and NoSQL databases.

• Strategic thinker: aligns technical choices with business strategy and influences without direct authority.

• Effective communicator in English across engineering, product, and leadership audiences.

• Proactive self-starter who identifies necessary tasks and takes initiative without needing prompting.

• Competent Technical Leader and Mentor: Support and guide engineers by setting a strong example. As a Staff Engineer, you are a role model, leading through your expertise and actions.

🏝️ Benefits

• Permanent contract

• Salary + annual bonus up to 20% of your annual gross salary

• Opportunity to work with and influence all OLX websites globally

• Training and conference budget, as well as free access to Udemy courses

• Health and life insurance

• MacBook Pro or a Windows Dell, along with necessary accessories for a comfortable work environment

• 100% remote work option (with the possibility to work from our office in Lisboa)