Backend Software Engineer at Aquila in Remote

Who we are

Aquila, a group within Constellation Software Inc., one of North America’s largest and most respected software companies, invests in category-defining B2B and B2G software businesses globally, providing long-term support and strategic guidance. Emphasys Software has been part of Aquila since 2008.

Operating across five specialized divisions, Emphasys provides mission-critical software that modernizes and streamlines complex processes for housing authorities, lenders, and government agencies in nearly every state. Through both products and services, Emphasys helps house roughly half of the families most in need in the country.

At Emphasys HFA (Housing Finance Agency), a division of Emphasys, we build and support the only end-to-end financial software in the U.S. dedicated to affordable housing. As the largest full-service provider in this space, we enable State Housing Finance Agencies and other public organizations to administer programs that help families access affordable homeownership or rental housing. Our solutions power the financial backbone that processes funding, manages compliance, and ensures every dollar of support is tracked and maximized.

Who we need

Reporting to the Product Line Manager, Emphasys Housing Locator, we are hiring a Backend Software Engineer to play a key role in the evolution and modernization of our core platform. 

As our new Backend Software Engineer you will enhance the existing system to improve performance, maintainability, and long-term scalability. You will work primarily within an on-premises environment, building a strong understanding of the current architecture and business logic, while collaborating closely with cloud engineering teams as the organization transitions to Microsoft Azure-based architecture.

This is a full-time, fully remote position within the US working Eastern Standard hours.

What’s in it for you

Technical breadth and depth. You will play a key role in a full-scale modernization initiative, transforming a legacy Python application into a modern architecture using FastAPI and cloud-based infrastructure. You will gain hands-on experience across PostgreSQL, Linux environments, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and system architecture — strengthening both your backend depth and cloud capabilities.

Purpose-driven impact. Your work will directly support affordable housing initiatives and services for people in need. You will contribute to systems that have tangible community impact, combining technical challenges with meaningful outcomes. You will work in a collaborative, open-minded team environment with leadership that values initiative, ownership, and professional growth. As the platform evolves, you will have opportunities to expand your responsibilities, mentor others, and influence technical direction.

Career growth. You will join a small but high-impact development team during a major platform evolution. As the function grows, there is opportunity to step into a Senior Backend Developer or team lead role, with longer-term potential to influence architecture and broader IT strategy.

As our new Backend Software Engineer, you will:

• Design, modernize and develop. You will design, develop, test, and maintain scalable backend services and RESTful APIs using modern Python frameworks such as FastAPI. You will architect and implement well-structured REST integrations between backend and frontend systems, applying REST best practices and integration patterns. You will design and optimize PostgreSQL schemas and write efficient, production-grade SQL queries to support reliable data persistence. You will support and enhance applications operating in on-premises and hybrid environments, contributing to the modernization and rewrite of legacy systems.
• Collaborate. You will work closely with Product Management, Backend and Frontend Engineers, and Cloud/DevOps teams to translate requirements into technical solutions and execution plans. You will participate in code reviews, contribute to engineering best practices and standards, and support cross-functional efforts related to deployment, monitoring, and Azure cloud migration initiatives.
• Optimize and ensure reliability. You will troubleshoot and resolve application and system issues across Linux-based environments, ensuring performance, reliability, security, and scalability standards are met. You will establish and maintain automated testing frameworks and CI/CD pipelines. You will create and maintain clear technical documentation for backend architecture, integrations, and operational processes.

You bring:

• Technical experience. You have experience designing and developing production-grade backend web applications and services. You bring strong, hands-on Python expertise and experience with modern frameworks such as FastAPI (or comparable frameworks). You have deep experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs and applying best practices for scalable, maintainable architecture.
• Data layer and systems experience. You are highly proficient with relational databases, particularly PostgreSQL, with demonstrated experience in schema design, complex query development, reporting queries, , and performance tuning. You are comfortable working in Linux/Unix environments, including application deployment and troubleshooting, and you have experience with Git-based collaborative workflows and CI/CD pipelines that support automated build, test, and deployment processes.
• Mapping Service experience. You have experience working with geospatial data and spatial databases (e.g., PostGIS), including implementing location-based queries, indexing strategies, and integrations with mapping services.
• Cloud and modernization exposure. You are familiar with Microsoft Azure services (e.g., App Services, containers, storage, managed databases). You have experience supporting applications during infrastructure or cloud migration efforts, ideally in regulated or compliance-focused environments. You have exposure to containerization and modern deployment practices. You demonstrate the ability to quickly learn and work within existing internal frameworks and legacy codebases.
• Security awareness. You apply secure coding practices, understand authentication and authorization patterns (e.g., OAuth2, RBAC), and are mindful of data privacy, encryption, and secure API design principles.
• Interpersonal skills. You have professional, adaptable communication skills, including the ability to create and maintain documentation. You can build collaborative relationships within and across teams, remain open to ideas, and share knowledge. You can explain technical issues clearly to a range of non-technical stakeholders.
• An analytical mindset. You are curious and driven with strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to debug, optimize, and maintain existing systems, approaching issues with urgency and creativity.

Join us.

As an Aquila company, Emphasys Software brings together bright, talented people who aspire to excellence and share a commitment to upholding our mission: To be a company of outstanding people delivering vertical market software solutions through long-term partnerships with clients.

Our entrepreneurial culture, lean environment, and people come together to form a dynamic organization where purpose drives our growth. With the autonomy to be creative and curious, we collaborate and iterate to achieve real impact in the communities we support.

Apply now.

Diversity and inclusion are not mere words on paper to us. We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and want to play an integral role in changing an industry, apply to express your interest. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role, the team’s culture and your experience. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool. More details will be shared when you are invited to interview.
• A virtual technical interview with the Product Line Manager and a Senior Developer. This will be an opportunity for you to demonstrate your technical knowledge and learn about our product and technical roadmap.
• A final virtual interview with the General Manager. You will learn more about the company, our product, and our clients. You will have a chance to ask further questions about the role and team.

Aquila and Emphasys Software promote equal employment opportunities for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, marital status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities and accommodations are available on request.

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