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Staff Backend Engineer

Open 29d

Summary

Build and scale APIs for Modulate’s voice intelligence platform, focusing on Python-based backend systems to serve enterprise and developer customers.

Join Modulate as we pioneer the future of conversational intelligence.

Modulate is the leader in conversational voice intelligence. We enable platforms and enterprises to deeply understand how people communicate and take timely action based on those insights.

Our products help detect harm, prevent fraud, and build safer, more trusted online and real-world voice environments. We are building a self-serve Conversation Intelligence Platform — APIs, workflows, and applications that bring voice understanding to customers at enterprise scale.

We are building a self-serve Conversation Intelligence Platform — APIs, workflows, and applications that bring voice understanding to customers at enterprise scale.

We’re looking for a Staff Backend Engineer to help build and scale our Developer and Enterprise APIs.

Your Impact

You will play a critical role in bringing our world-class ML audio models to market through robust, scalable APIs. Your work will directly impact both our product velocity and our ability to serve enterprise and developer customers.

  • Develop and Iterate on early-stage products that are key to Modulate’s success
  • Expand the capabilities and use cases supported by our APIs
  • Improve scalability, reliability, and performance across core systems
  • Establish strong architectural foundations for long-term growth
  • Accelerate Modulate’s ability to serve both B2B and B2C customers

What You Will Do

  • Collaborate with engineers and product leaders to scope, design, and execute API projects
  • Design, build, test, and deploy API features and improvements
  • Maintain and operate production APIs to ensure reliability and performance
  • Debug issues and continuously improve system stability and scalability
  • Contribute to team knowledge through mentorship, demos, and technical discussions

What We Are Looking For

  • Strong experience with object-oriented Python
  • Experience designing and building APIs in production environments
  • Proven ability to collaborate effectively within engineering teams
  • Experience building greenfield systems and scaling existing products

Benefits

At Modulate, we prioritize people and sustainability—because doing great work requires feeling supported and safe. Some of our key benefits include:

  • Competitive salary + equity- Full health, dental, and vision coverage
  • Flexible PTO, with a strong culture of taking it
  • Weekly team lunches with dietary accommodations
  • Hybrid work: core in-office days with flexible remote options
  • Regular leadership and industry learning sessions
  • Support for career development and continued learning
  • Up to 8 weeks work-from-anywhere policy
  • A deeply inclusive, human-centered culture

Pay Transparency

Modulate believes in transparency as a cornerstone of equity and trust. Compensation for this role is based on seniority, skills, and experience.

Salary: $180,000 to 200,000
Equity: Offered
Other perks: HSA, FSA, 15 holidays, professional growth resources

About Modulate

Modulate is on a mission to make voice a force for good online. Our tools help communities thrive by proactively detecting toxic behavior, protecting user identity, and empowering safety teams. We’re trusted by leaders in gaming and beyond—and we’re growing fast.

We believe that great cultures don’t just happen. That’s why we’ve built a foundation of intentional systems: from bias-reducing hiring practices to transparent pay to tools that help teams collaborate across communication styles. At Modulate, we treat people like people—and we’re building technology that does the same.

Ready to join us? Apply here or reach out directly—we’re excited to meet you.

What this application asks

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Resume/CV, Full name, Email, Phone, Current location, Current company, What is your age range?, I identify my ethnicity asSelect all that apply, What gender do you identify as?, What is your veteran status?

  • In an effort to remove bias from the hiring process, we request that all applicants do not include any identifiable information or demographic information in "Your fit for the role", "Your values/goals", "Why Modulate", and "Additional information". You may share organization and team names where applicable. Please select the second/middle option to confirm you understand these directions choose one
  • As a reminder, we want to hear from YOU! While we understand the convenience of productivity tools and generative AI to help apply, please note that any submissions with substantial overlap or duplication with other applicant profiles will NOT be considered. Please select the third option to confirm you understand these directions. choose one
  • Please confirm that you meet this requirement. choose one
  • At what date would you be available to begin working at Modulate? (Feel free to answer to terms of "number of days after receiving the offer" if that's easier.)
  • Are you legally eligible for employment in the United States? choose one
  • Will you now or in the future require Modulate to commence ("sponsor") an immigration case in order to employ you (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration case)? This is sometimes called "sponsorship" for an employment-based visa status. [Modulate endeavors to always hire the best candidates for the job, but as a startup may in some cases lack the resources for immediate sponsorship. We will do everything possible to disclose any concerns regarding the possibility of sponsorship as early into application process as possible.] choose one
  • Modulate is currently based out of the Boston metropolitan area and is seeking applicants who are willing to relocate to the area. Are you comfortable working from this location? choose one
  • Modulate currently follows a hybrid work model, with time expected in the office in the Boston area. Are you comfortable working in a hybrid arrangement? choose one · optional
  • At what date would you be available to begin working at Modulate? (Feel free to answer to terms of "number of days after receiving the offer" if that's easier.)
  • Have you entered into an agreement with any former employer or other party (such as a noncompetition agreement) that might, in any way, restrict your ability to work for Modulate? choose one
  • If you answered "yes" to the above, please explain. optional
  • Will you travel if the job requires it? choose one
  • Are you legally eligible for employment in the United States? choose one
  • Will you now or in the future require Modulate to commence ("sponsor") an immigration case in order to employ you (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration case)? This is sometimes called "sponsorship" for an employment-based visa status. [Modulate endeavors to always hire the best candidates for the job, but as a startup may in some cases lack the resources for immediate sponsorship. We will do everything possible to disclose any concerns regarding the possibility of sponsorship as early into application process as possible.] choose one
  • Modulate follows a hybrid policy where we require employees to be in the office at our Somerville, MA location each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, at minimum between 10am-4pm ET. Are you able and willing to be in the office during these times? choose one
  • At what date would you be available to begin working at Modulate? (Feel free to answer to terms of "number of days after receiving the offer" if that's easier.)
  • Have you entered into an agreement with any former employer or other party (such as a noncompetition agreement) that might, in any way, restrict your ability to work for Modulate? choose one
  • If you answered "yes" to the above, please explain. optional
  • Will you travel if the job requires it? choose one

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