Lead Software Engineer: Backend

Who We Are

PAYTAG builds self-checkout, RFID, and retail automation systems — physical products running in live stores that connect hardware to cloud services in real time. Our stack spans embedded Linux devices, IoT protocols, and GCP-hosted services. We ship things that exist in the real world, not just in the cloud.

We're looking for an experienced engineer with expertise in both robust backend systems and the on-prem software that maintains the hardware.

What You'll Own

• Design and develop Linux-based products end-to-end — from device-side software to cloud integration
• Write production Python and Shell scripts for hardware integration layers, backend services, and automation
• Connect devices to GCP infrastructure (Cloud Run, Compute VMs) and third-party systems
• Integrate hardware peripherals using TCP/IP, WebSocket and REST protocols
• Troubleshoot and optimize real-world deployments — live hardware, live customers
• Work directly with customers and partners on integrations and technical escalations
• Architect and design system components and product flows, not just implement them
• Contribute to product architecture and shape the technical roadmap

What We're Looking For

• B.Sc. in Software/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent hands-on experience
• 3+ years with Linux-based systems
• Strong Python skills; working knowledge of the Linux OS
• Hands-on experience with low-level communication protocols: TCP/IP and WebSockets
• Experience with GCP (Cloud Run, VMs)
• Strong system design / architecture skills — able to design components and flows from scratch, not just code to spec
• Hands-on experience working with Claude Code and AI coding tools/skills as part of the daily workflow
• Customer-facing experience: integrations, on-site support
• High ownership mindset and strong problem-solving skills

Bonuses:

• IoT projects
• Experience with ClickUp, Jira, or Monday
• Familiarity with SolidWorks for reviewing hardware models
• RFID and controller technology