Backend Kotlin Engineering Lead

remote
Vancouver, BC, Canada .
full-time . June 17, 2025

Description

About Rare Days

We're a multi-disciplinary digital product agency obsessed with helping creators build lasting legacies. Since 2020, we've built products at the sweet spot where content meets commerce, empowering established creators and content-led businesses to transform their passion into sustainable success.

We're a distributed team, based in Canada, and are open to candidates located within 4 hours of PST timezone. Preference will be given to Canadian applicants.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Backend Engineering Lead with deep expertise in Kotlin to join our team. Unlike typical agency roles, this position is dedicated to a single, high-impact project where you’ll work closely with our partner’s Senior Engineering Leadership to plan and execute both frontend and backend development work. If you are passionate about full-stack development, system design, and driving strategic technical decisions, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

Oversee all engineering activities throughout any given project, making technical decisions, keeping the team unblocked, and jumping into the code alongside your fellow engineers as needed
Ensure high-quality Kotlin development, including designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable applications
Collaborate directly with Senior Engineering Leadership from our partner organization to define technical direction and execution strategies
Support scoping and estimating of projects, ensuring alignment with client expectations and internal capacity
Lead client presentations and conversations about technical strategy, team health, and delivery milestones like sprint-based demos and ongoing releases
Collaborate with and mentor fellow engineers to support growth and knowledge-sharing across the team
Foster an open, collaborative, and inclusive environment where our teams are empowered to do their best work
Help grow the Engineering team by participating in hiring interviews and regular code reviews, making suggestions for improvements to process and standards
Identify the department’s opportunities for growth and help develop side-initiatives that enrich the company’s engineering practices

What we’re looking for

Extensive backend Kotlin experience (ideally 7+ years), with a strong focus on system design and scalable architecture (React experience is a bonus)
Proven experience leading engineering teams, particularly working with senior developers and Engineering Leads
Experience working directly with Senior Engineering Leadership to define technical strategy and execution plans
Strong backend development skills, including API design, database management (SQL, NoSQL), and distributed systems architecture
Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure
Ability to scope projects, estimate timelines, and define technical requirements
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make trade-offs between business needs and technical decisions
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
You’re adaptable and quick to embrace unexpected changes in direction
You appreciate design and are able to protect its integrity without compromising fidelity or feasibility
You’re motivated by feedback and by the opportunity to improve in your role, in the work, and in how you work together as a team

Compensation and benefits

Unlimited paid time off for vacation, sick days, and personal time as needed. We actively encourage team members to make use of this time-off policy
Flexible working hours and remote-friendly culture
Extended health care benefits for Canadian employees
Competitive compensation

Rare Days is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to apply.

Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Let them know!