Backend Software Engineer

Come join our Goddard Systems, LLC (GSL) corporate team! We are a great place to work and offer many employee-friendly perks and benefits. GSL is the manager of the Goddard School franchise system that supports over 650 schools which delivers a high-quality, play-based learning program to families all over the United States. Our successful franchise business model supports franchisees through partnerships with teams of seasoned professionals who draw over 30 years of business, marketing, IT, franchise, finance, and education experience. Because of this, The Goddard School has grown into an institution that parents and families trust, reaching more than 80,000 students in 38 states – and growing. Position Summary We are looking for a Backend Software Engineer with strong expertise in .NET and Microsoft Azure to design and build scalable APIs and backend services. You will work on cloud-native integrations, optimize backend performance, and help deliver secure, high-quality software solutions that power enterprise applications. Responsibilities • Design, develop, and maintain backend services and RESTful APIs using .NET technologies (C#, ASP.NET Core, Web API). • Build integrations with internal and external systems using Azure Integration Services (Service Bus, Event Grid, Functions, Logic Apps, API Management). • Optimize backend processes including database queries, web jobs, job scheduling, and data pipelines. • Implement secure authentication and authorization flows (OAuth, JWT, SSO with Okta/Auth0). • Perform unit and integration testing to ensure service reliability and performance. • Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve backend and integration issues. • Collaborate with architects, developers, analysts, and QA teams to deliver business solutions. • Participate in Agile ceremonies (sprint planning, reviews, retrospectives). • Document APIs, integration workflows, and architectural decisions. • Ensure CI/CD pipelines and DevOps best practices for deployment and monitoring are followed. Experience and Competencies Minimum Requirements: • 5+ years of experience developing backend services and APIs with .NET (C#, ASP.NET Core, Web API). • Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure (Azure Functions, Service Bus, Event Grid, API Management). • Solid SQL Server experience (stored procedures, performance tuning, SQL jobs). • Familiarity with asynchronous and event-driven architectures. • Strong understanding of RESTful API design, security, versioning, and documentation (OpenAPI/Swagger). • Hands-on experience with DevOps concepts and CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions). • Familiarity with SSO and identity management solutions such as Okta or Auth0. • Proficiency with source control systems (GitHub or similar). • Solid understanding of OOP and software design patterns. Skills • Ability to design and implement scalable, reusable, and secure backend solutions. • Ability to balance short-term delivery with long-term maintainability. • Strong knowledge of software design patterns, OOP, and microservices principles. • Capacity to evaluate technology alternatives and propose effective solutions. • Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Experience Working with the following • Microsoft Azure services: Azure Functions, API Management, Service Bus, Event Grid, Logic Apps. • Enterprise integrations (file, message, and event-based asynchronous and synchronous workflows). • Familiarity with Single Page Application (SPA) frameworks such as React or Angular is considered a plus • SaaS platforms and cloud-native applications. • Relational databases, preferably MS SQL Server. • CI/CD and deployment pipelines in Azure DevOps or similar. • API monitoring, logging, and tracing tools (App Insights, Azure Monitor). • Source repositories: GitHub or similar. There will be periodic requirements to travel for in-person events, at the discretion of your manager or the requirement of the company. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.