Backend Engineer

Piper Companies is seeking a Backend Engineer to join a team developing an industry-leading network simulation platform. This role is responsible for building and maintaining backend services that orchestrate virtualized network environments, manage lifecycle operations for virtual machines and containers, and deliver scalable APIs for designing and testing complex network topologies. This is an exciting opportunity to work remotely in Eastern Standard Time.

Responsibilities of the Backend Engineer include:

• Develop and maintain backend services that orchestrate virtualized network nodes, including routers, switches, and firewalls, utilizing virtualization and container technologies.
• Design, implement, and maintain scalable, high-performance RESTful APIs that enable users to programmatically create, deploy, and manage network topologies.
• Integrate with virtualization platforms to ensure efficient allocation and management of compute, memory, and storage resources for large-scale network simulations.
• Build automation tools and services that support infrastructure-as-code (IaC) workflows and network automation testing.
• Optimize backend systems for reliability, scalability, low-latency performance, and high concurrency under demanding simulation workloads.
• Collaborate with frontend engineers, quality assurance teams, and network architects to deliver new platform capabilities and enhance the overall user experience.
• Develop and maintain services supporting virtual machine and container lifecycle management within Linux-based environments.
• Participate in troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance platform stability and efficiency.
  
  

Qualifications for the Backend Engineer include:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in backend software development.
• Strong programming experience with Python and/or Go.
• Experience with Linux systems programming, administration, and operating system internals.
• Hands-on experience with virtualization and container technologies such as QEMU, Libvirt, Docker, and Kubernetes.
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, Layer 2/Layer 3 switching, and routing protocols.
• Experience designing, developing, and maintaining RESTful APIs.
• Experience with network simulation or emulation platforms preferred.
• Knowledge of infrastructure automation and network automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Netmiko, or NAPALM preferred.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, Git-based workflows, Jenkins, Groovy, and pytest preferred.
• Familiarity with software-defined networking (SDN), cloud-native application development, and microservices architectures preferred.
  
  

Compensation for the Backend Engineer includes:

• Salary Range: $140,000 – $160,000/year
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), and applicable sick leave
  
  

Keywords: Backend Engineer, Backend Development, Python, Go, Linux, Systems Programming, RESTful APIs, API Development, Microservices, Cloud-Native Development, Virtualization, QEMU, Libvirt, Docker, Kubernetes, Containerization, Virtual Machines, Network Simulation, Network Automation, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Ansible, Terraform, TCP/IP, Layer 2 Switching, Layer 3 Switching, Routing Protocols, Enterprise Networking, Data Center Networking, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Resource Management, Scalability, Performance Optimization, High Concurrency, CI/CD, Automated Testing, Pytest, Jenkins, Git, GitHub, Infrastructure Automation, Systems Integration, DevOps, Software Engineering, Network Topologies, Linux Administration, Container Technologies, Distributed Systems, Platform Engineering, Troubleshooting, Performance Tuning, CCNA.

#REMOTE

This job is open for applications on 8/17/2026 and will remain open for at least 30 days from the posting date