Backend Team Lead

Are you a Backend Team Lead who thrives on building high‑performance services, leading engineers, and owning the core APIs that power a fast‑scaling digital product ecosystem?

Smart State is a rapidly growing technology company, bringing together expertise in software engineering, analytics, and product management to deliver reliable and innovative digital solutions. Smart State is a place where talents from different niches can make real changes across the industry. We create an environment to let smart ideas act boldly.

📍 Location: Fort Lee, New Jersey (100% On-site)
⏰ Work Mode: Full-time, office-based (Remote or hybrid work arrangements are not available)

The Role 🛠️

As a Backend Team Lead, you will be a key contributor and leader within our platform engineering organization. You will own the design, implementation, and optimization of high‑performance Node.js APIs and microservices that power our global, fast‑scaling product ecosystem. This role blends hands‑on backend engineering with technical leadership, giving you the opportunity to guide a team of developers, influence architecture, and ensure performance, reliability, and scalability for thousands of players worldwide.

What You’ll Do 🚀

• Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers, providing technical guidance, code reviews, and support for their growth and performance.

• Develop, maintain, and scale robust backend services built with Node.js (Nest.js framework).

• Design and implement third‑party API integrations and new platform modules from concept through deployment.

• Write clean, maintainable, and well‑tested code following TDD principles.

• Work with SQL and NoSQL databases (MongoDB, MySQL, Redis) to support high‑volume data operations.

• Implement REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket communication protocols across services.

• Collaborate closely with frontend, DevOps, and product teams to deliver reliable and efficient solutions.

• Apply best practices for microservice architecture, scalability, and performance optimization.

• Participate in and lead code reviews, architecture discussions, and continuous integration initiatives.

• Contribute to improving engineering processes, standards, and documentation within the backend team.

What We’re Looking For 🎯

• 5+ years of professional experience in web development.

• 3+ years of hands‑on experience with Node.js (ideally with the Nest.js framework).

• Deep knowledge of JavaScript (ES6+) and modern backend design patterns.

• Practical experience with high‑volume databases (SQL and NoSQL), including MongoDB, MySQL, and Redis.

• Proficiency with Git and collaborative development workflows.

• Experience with message brokers (such as RabbitMQ or Redis Pub/Sub).

• Solid understanding of TDD and experience writing automated unit and integration tests.

• Strong fundamentals in microservices architecture and distributed systems.

• Demonstrated experience providing technical leadership, mentoring developers, or acting as a go‑to technical expert within a team.

Nice to Have ✅

• 2+ years of experience with CI/CD pipelines, containerization, and microservices deployment.

• Familiarity with Kubernetes or other container orchestration systems.

• Experience with the NATS messaging system.

• Hands‑on experience with TypeScript and advanced Node.js tooling.

Why Join Smart State Inc.? 💎

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401K plan, and more.
• Generous PTO policy.
• A dynamic and collaborative international work environment.
• Breakfasts and lunches in the office (partially paid by the company).
• Birthdays, milestones and employee anniversaries celebrations.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.

✅ Bonuses: Discretionary, performance based
✅ Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision + 401(k)
✅ Time Off: Generous PTO policy
✅ Perks: Partially subsidized in-office breakfasts and lunches
✅ Culture: Collaborative, international team that celebrates milestones and wins together
✅ Growth: Strong opportunities for professional development and ownership within a scaling organization

Smart State Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that different perspectives make us stronger and provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, color identity, religion, or any other protected status. If you have the drive and the skills, we want to hear from you.