Backend Engineer (Python, Java)
About The CompanyBestow is a pioneering technology platform dedicated to transforming the life insurance industry. Recognized as one of the world's most vital financial products, life insurance remains complex to develop, distribute, and modernize. Bestow aims to revolutionize this space by providing a unified, modern infrastructure that streamlines processes and accelerates product launches. Serving some of the largest and most innovative life insurers, Bestow's platform consolidates fragmented legacy systems, enabling carriers to bring new products to market in weeks rather than years. Powered by artificial intelligence and automation, the company helps insurance providers scale operations efficiently and reach more consumers effectively. Backed by leading investors and trusted by major carriers, Bestow is committed to building the industry's future, making life insurance more accessible, faster, and more reliable for all.About The RoleAs a Staff Software Engineer within the Implementation & Platform Configuration (IPC) Engineering team, you will play a critical role in shaping the technical direction of Bestow’s core digital life insurance enrollment systems. Your responsibilities will include designing scalable, reliable backend services, driving architectural decisions, and ensuring the seamless integration of new carrier partners. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including product managers, underwriters, and external partners—to develop modular services that form the backbone of Bestow's platform. This role offers an opportunity to lead technical initiatives, mentor engineering team members, and adopt innovative AI coding tools to enhance development workflows. Your expertise will directly impact the speed, quality, and scalability of the company's offerings, enabling rapid onboarding of new partners and supporting continuous product evolution.Qualifications8+ years of professional backend software development experience, with prior experience at the Staff or Senior levelStrong proficiency in Go and Python programming languagesJava experience is a plusDeep understanding of distributed systems, microservices architecture, and API design (Protocol Buffers, OpenAPI)Experience working with relational databases, particularly PostgreSQL, at scaleHands-on experience with cloud infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Docker, and Google Cloud Platform or equivalentProven ability to build, deploy, and troubleshoot production services end-to-endProactive problem-solver with a track record of identifying risks and implementing effective solutionsCommitment to writing maintainable, well-tested, high-quality softwareExperience with agentic AI coding tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, or Copilot integrated into daily workflowsResponsibilitiesOwn the technical architecture of IPC services, making design decisions that balance rapid delivery with maintainabilityDesign, develop, and operate backend services leveraging Python, PostgreSQL, Go, and Java-based Drools rules engineLead cross-team technical initiatives, coordinating with other engineering teams to plan and execute platform integrationsEnhance platform capabilities to support scalable onboarding of new carriers, product launches, and flexible configurationsMentor engineers through code reviews, design discussions, and pairing sessions to elevate team technical standardsEnsure production reliability by defining SLOs, improving observability, and sharing on-call responsibilitiesIntegrate AI-assisted coding tools into development workflows to improve efficiency and code qualityCommunicate complex technical decisions, trade-offs, and project status clearly in asynchronous, remote settingsBenefitsCompetitive salary and equity packages based on role and experienceFlexible paid time off and parental leave policies supporting work/life balance100% paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision insuranceLifestyle stipend to support physical, emotional, and financial wellbeingFlexible remote work policy with options for fully remote or hybrid workState-of-the-art office located in Dallas' Deep Ellum for in-person collaborationParticipation in employee-led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiativesRecognition as a Best Place to Work, including awards for supporting working parents and fostering an inclusive cultureEqual OpportunityBestow is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, pregnancy or maternity status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We believe that a diverse workforce enhances our innovation and success, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply and thrive within our organization.