Principal Backend Developer

Toronto, ON
Hybrid
Posted Oct 16, 2026
1 position

US$160,000–US$180,000 / year

Opens LinkedIn

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Mid-level · 2+ years
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Seniority: Mid-Senior level

Job summary

Own the architecture and design of systems that ingest, transform, and serve customer and trading data, including high-performance real-time pipelines and APIs. Develop data normalization and integrations, improve order flow systems and dashboards, automate manual work, and help establish engineering standards.

Job details

Job Description Toast is recruiting on behalf of an early-stage sports and casino sweepstakes company for a Principal Backend Developer based in Toronto (hybrid), reporting directly to the CTO. This is a full-time contract role. The platform was originally built and funded by a quantitative sports betting fund over six years ago, and today the team is modernizing bookmaking with tools that optimize operations and drive efficiency. Their newest product is a sports and casino sweepstakes platform that is in early development and moving quickly toward an ambitious vision. The team is small, made up of sports fans and builders, and this hire will own the architecture behind the systems that ingest, transform, and serve customer and trading data. Responsibilities Own the architecture and design of systems that ingest, transform, and serve customer and trading data Build high-performance, real-time data pipelines and the APIs that power them Develop data normalization algorithms and keep integrations running seamlessly Maintain and improve order flow management systems and dashboards Automate repetitive work to reduce manual effort across teams Use AI-assisted development as the default workflow, choosing the right tool for each problem with most of the codebase in Python Treat system architecture and design as a top engineering priority and help set standards as the product grows Requirements 3+ years of backend software development experience with a strong understanding of Python Proven experience designing and building an end-to-end system that consumes, transforms, and serves data, with the ability to walk through its architecture and tradeoffs Daily use of AI coding tools, with the judgment to review and own what they produce Working knowledge of AWS and Kubernetes Experience building and maintaining robust API integrations A self-starter who works autonomously and thrives in a fast-moving startup environment Nice to Haves Experience with streaming systems such as Kafka or Kinesis would be a plus Sports betting or iGaming experience is considered an asset Experience with CRM system integration would be a plus Benefits Full-time contract compensation for a principal-level backend role Workstation stipend to set up your ideal home and office setup Hybrid flexibility with a central Yorkville office in Toronto Team lunches and dinners, darts tournaments, and live sports on TV Real ownership from day one, with direct influence on product direction as one of the earliest engineers on a brand new platform Build the data backbone of a product that is modernizing how bookmaking operates, turning six years of quantitative sports betting infrastructure into tools that cut manual work and power real-time trading decisions Shape engineering standards on an AI-forward team where architecture and design come first Application Review Submit your application, including your resume and cover letter, through our online portal. Our team will carefully review your qualifications and experiences. We take pride in responding promptly, so if your application aligns with our current opportunities, you’ll hear back from us with next steps. Your journey with Toast begins here, and we’re excited to see what you bring to the table! Vetting Call If your application is successful, we’ll schedule a vetting call with a member of the Toast team. This 30-45 minute informal conversation is designed for us to get to know you better and assess your skills. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, the challenges you’ve tackled, and the impact you’ve made. This is your chance to shine and show us why you’re a great fit for the roles we offer. Profile Creation Once you’ve impressed us in the vetting call, we’ll create an unbiased profile that highlights your experience while minimizing common biases. Instead, we focus on your skills, industry experience, and the impact you’ve made. This way, your profile reflects your true potential and accomplishments. Client Submission After crafting your unbiased profile, we submit it to our trusted clients. We work closely with these clients to ensure they understand the value you bring. Throughout their interview process, we remain by your side, providing support and guidance. Our goal is to help you navigate the hiring process smoothly and confidently, ensuring you have the best chance to secure a role that fits your skills and aspirations.

What you’ll do

Requirements

Candidates need at least three years of backend development experience, strong Python knowledge, and experience designing and explaining an end-to-end data system. They should use AI coding tools daily, have working knowledge of AWS and Kubernetes, build robust API integrations, and be comfortable working autonomously in a fast-moving startup.