Senior AI Backend Platform Engineer
Summary
On-site contract role (W2 via ZipStaff) in St. Louis, MO: design, build, and run backend services for enterprise AI and knowledge-management platforms at a major energy & utilities client — primarily a Node.js/TypeScript CMS plus Python services supporting AI, with REST APIs and AWS cloud-native infrastructure.
Job Description
Job Description
Job Title: Senior AI Backend Platform Engineer
Location: St. Louis, MO (On-site)
Employment Type: Contract (W2 through ZipStaff — No C2C or 1099)
About the Opportunity
ZipStaff is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer to design, build, and support the backend services that power enterprise AI and knowledge management platforms for a major energy and utilities organization.
You will primarily work on a proprietary Content Management System (CMS) built with Node.js and TypeScript, while also contributing to Python-based services that support AI capabilities. This role focuses on scalable APIs, cloud-native services, and the systems that enable secure access to enterprise knowledge.
What You’ll Do:
- Design, build, deploy, monitor, and support production backend services.
- Develop and maintain REST APIs for content management, retrieval, and integrations.
- Enhance a CMS platform built with Node.js and TypeScript.
- Contribute to Python-based services supporting AI applications.
- Build reusable services and patterns that improve scalability and developer productivity.
- Review code and promote engineering best practices.
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and improve production systems.
- Partner with AI engineers, architects, and product teams to deliver secure, reliable solutions.
- Create and maintain technical documentation and API specifications.
Required Qualifications:
- 5+ years of professional software engineering experience with a proven track record of shipping enterprise-grade production software.
- Strong hands-on experience with Node.js and TypeScript.
- Experience designing and supporting REST APIs and backend services.
- Experience with AWS in production environments.
- Working knowledge of Python and willingness to contribute when needed.
- Strong understanding of software architecture, system design, and distributed systems.
- Experience with Git, code reviews, and modern development practices.
- Understanding of CI/CD and automated deployment pipelines.
- Experience implementing logging, monitoring, and observability solutions.
- Knowledge of secure coding practices, API security, authentication, and OWASP fundamentals.
- Experience working within Agile development teams.
- Ability to work on-site in St. Louis, MO.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with content management, document processing, or knowledge management platforms.
- Experience supporting RAG or AI-enabled applications.
- Experience with AWS services such as Lambda, ECS, SQS, and S3.
- Experience with Terraform and Infrastructure as Code.
- Experience with OpenTelemetry, Grafana, or similar observability platforms.
- Experience designing event-driven architectures.
- Familiarity with OAuth, IAM, and modern authentication patterns.
- Experience working in highly regulated or security-conscious environments.
- AWS certifications.
About ZipStaff
ZipStaff partners with leading organizations to connect skilled technology professionals with high-impact contract opportunities. We focus on quality matches and long-term success.
To apply, please submit your resume highlighting your Node.js/TypeScript backend experience, production AWS work, and any AI/knowledge platform background.