Backend Engineer (Python, Java)

About The Company Bestow is a pioneering technology platform dedicated to transforming the life insurance industry. Recognizing the complexities and outdated processes that have historically hindered the sector, Bestow aims to modernize and streamline the way life insurance products are built, distributed, and managed.

As a leader in vertical insurtech, the company serves some of the largest and most innovative life insurers by providing a unified, scalable platform that replaces fragmented legacy systems. This platform enables insurance carriers to launch new products in weeks rather than years, leveraging advanced AI and automation technologies to drive efficiency and speed to market. Backed by prominent investors and trusted by major carriers, Bestow is committed to building infrastructure that accelerates industry growth, enhances customer reach, and fulfills the industry’s promise of protection.

The company offers a dynamic, remote-friendly work environment, meaningful benefits, equity options, and significant opportunities for professional growth.

About The Role We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Software Engineer to join our Implementation & Platform Configuration (IPC) Engineering team. In this role, you will be instrumental in shaping the technical architecture of our core services that power the digital life insurance enrollment experience. You will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Underwriters, and external partners to develop and maintain modular backend services written in Python, Go, and Java.

Your responsibilities will include making strategic architectural decisions, driving cross-team initiatives, and ensuring the reliability and scalability of our systems as we onboard new carrier partners. This role requires a proactive approach to identifying technical risks, mentoring engineering team members, and fostering a culture of high-quality, maintainable software development. As a remote-first organization, clear communication and asynchronous collaboration are essential components of success in this position.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional backend software development experience
• Proficiency in Go and Python; Java experience is a plus
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, microservices, and API design (Protocol Buffers, OpenAPI)
• Experience with relational databases at scale, particularly PostgreSQL
• Hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Docker, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) or equivalent
• Proven track record of building, deploying, and troubleshooting production services end-to-end
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks
• Commitment to writing maintainable, well-tested code and upholding high quality standards
• Experience with agentic AI coding tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, or Copilot, integrated into daily workflows
• Excellent written communication skills, especially in asynchronous, remote team environments

Responsibilities

• Own and define the technical architecture for IPC services, balancing rapid delivery with maintainability
• Design, develop, and operate backend services utilizing Python, Go, Java, and PostgreSQL
• Lead cross-team initiatives to ensure seamless integration across the platform and support new carrier onboardings
• Drive platform scalability to support growth in partner ecosystem, product launches, and configuration flexibility
• Mentor and review code of engineering team members, fostering a culture of high-quality software development
• Define and improve observability, reliability, and performance of production systems, including setting SLOs and sharing on-call responsibilities
• Implement and promote AI-assisted coding practices within the team to enhance development efficiency
• Communicate complex technical decisions, trade-offs, and project status clearly and effectively in written form

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity packages
• Flexible work arrangements including remote and hybrid options
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% premium coverage
• Paid parental leave and flexible paid time off policies supporting work/life balance
• Lifestyle stipend to support physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing
• State-of-the-art office space in Dallas' Deep Ellum for in-person work preferences
• Participation in employee-led diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
• Award-winning workplace recognized as a great place for working parents and a certified great workplace

Equal Opportunity Bestow is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We value diversity and strive to create a safe, respectful, and supportive workplace where individualism and authenticity are celebrated.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic.