Staff Backend Engineer

Company: Aclima Inc.
Location: Chicago
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

Be part of a diverse team of pioneers at AclimaBetter togetherTackling a global challenge requires a diverse team of pioneers. From scientists, mapping operators, and engineers to policy experts, product designers and field technicians. Together, we're transforming billions of data points into breathable communities, a healthy planet, and a brighter future. Join us!Our valuesPositive impact, first & alwaysSolve with scienceEngage with empathy, start with listeningCollaborate with curiosityProblem-solve with persistenceLead with integrityDrive changeMake real and lasting impact on the defining environmental challenge of our time and improve lives around the world.Work with the bestJoin the best and brightest in the field - innovators who merge heart, innovation, and cutting-edge technical leadership.Grow with purposeGrow your career with purpose, in an inclusive values-driven culture that puts people at the center of all we do.Aclima team members work incredibly hard and we work incredibly hard to thank them. We offer competitive compensation packages and excellent benefits.Wellness programs401k & equity plansParental leaveFlexible time-offRemote office supportWelcome to your Aclima careerReady for your next adventure? Grab a PDF of your resume and apply below.LocationRemoteDepartmentTL;DRAre you an experienced Staff Backend Engineer with the talent and know-how for building efficient and scalable backend systems capable of ingesting, storing, and processing millions of environmental data points from sensor systems in the field? Exciting opportunity with one of the leading climate tech companies in the Bay Area.About AclimaAclima is pioneering an entirely new way to monitor and respond to air pollution in communities, and track the effectiveness of focused mitigation efforts. We leverage cutting-edge sensor technology mounted on fleets of mapping vehicles to measure air pollution, greenhouse gases, methane, and air toxics across entire cities, states, and regions at block-level resolution. Our professional analytics software, Aclima Pro, translates billions of scientific measurements into insights at the source level, providing environmental intelligence for governments, industry, and communities. Our free app delivers address-level air pollution insights for the communities we serve. Aclima is a purpose-driven technology company helping to catalyze bold climate action that protects community health, reduces emissions, and supports smart government.Aclima is one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential companies. Other awards include Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World, #1 in Data Science, Inc. Magazine's Best in Business, a Fast Company 2022 World Changing Idea, a WEF Technology Pioneer, and one of the top 100 companies in GovTech for 2023. Aclima is headquartered in San Francisco.As the Staff Backend Engineer, you'll have a passion for environmental impact and expertise in building large-scale, distributed systems. As a platform expert, you will be responsible for architecting and developing robust backend solutions that power our mobile air pollution sensor data platform. In addition to technical leadership, you will contribute to hands-on implementation of systems for processing vast amounts of data and supporting our API and product infrastructure.Key Responsibilities:

• System Architecture and Design: Lead the design and architecture of scalable backend systems capable of processing and analyzing large-scale air pollution data from a fleet of moving mobile monitoring vehicles.
• Evaluate and integrate emerging technologies to enhance system capabilities and ensure robust data processing pipelines.
• Develop and maintain high-performance APIs and backend services that support our platform's functionality and deliver seamless user experiences.
• Collaborate with frontend engineers, data scientists, and product teams to deliver high-quality solutions aligned with business goals.
• Distributed Data Processing: Implement and optimize distributed data processing systems to handle and analyze large volumes of sensor data efficiently and accurately.
• Ensure data integrity, reliability, and security across all systems and processes.
• Technical Leadership: Provide mentorship and guidance to junior engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead technical discussions and decision-making processes, contributing to the company's strategic vision.
• Quality Assurance: Establish best practices for code quality, testing, and deployment to ensure the delivery of reliable and maintainable systems.
• Conduct thorough code reviews and advocate for technical excellence across the engineering team.Qualifications:Remote, but Bay Area candidates will be preferred
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in backend development with a focus on building scalable and distributed systems.
• Proven experience with cloud platforms (we use Google Cloud, and experience with AWS is also a plus) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong understanding of distributed data processing frameworks (Beam, Spark, Flink, etc.) and database systems (SQL and NoSQL).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Passion for environmental sustainability and a commitment to Aclima's mission as a Public Benefit Corporation.Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with IoT and real-time data processing systems.
• Experience with geospatial data processing and management.
• Knowledge of data engineering and security best practices.
• Familiarity with data analytics and machine learning technologies.Please know that you can be a great candidate even if you don't have everything we've described above. You might also possess important skills and experience we haven't considered. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself (especially in your cover letter).Pay TransparencyThe base salary range for this full-time exempt position if located in the SF Bay Area, New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, or Seattle metro region is $171,000 - $219,000 + equity + benefits. For all other regions, the range is $137,000 - $175,000 + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location, and are informed by current market data provided by Carta Total Comp.Within those ranges, individual pay is determined by exact region and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The Hiring Manager can share more about the specific salary range for your geographic region during the hiring process. Employee must continue to reside within 90 miles of location used to determine starting salary, otherwise Aclima reserves the right to make regional adjustments to pay.Aclima is committed to diversity in our organization and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences, and has proudly made the Kapor Capital Founders' Commitment. Aclima provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Aclima complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, veterans, and people with disabilities. Full-time position only. Out of area candidates will be considered.Compensation and BenefitsAside from the fulfillment of working alongside world-class colleagues to make a positive impact in people's lives, while improving planetary and public health, Aclima offers competitive compensation, equity potential, and excellent benefits. Benefits include medical/dental/vision/Life/AD&D/LTD, 401K, commuter and wellness credits, company events, and an extraordinary culture.
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Keywords: Aclima Inc., Downers Grove , Staff Backend Engineer, Engineering , Chicago, Illinois