Job Information
Cognizant Senior Node.js Backend Engineer in Washington, District Of Columbia
Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Node.js Backend Engineer with 5+ years of hands-on experience in building scalable, high-performance server-side applications. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in Node.js, microservices architecture, and real-time streaming systems, with strong exposure to Kafka, TypeScript/JavaScript, and modern backend frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
Design, develop, and maintain server-side applications using Node.js with Express.js / Fastify frameworks.
Build and manage microservices-based architectures with high availability and scalability.
Implement real-time data streaming solutions using Kafka and event-driven patterns.
Develop and optimize backend logic with a strong focus on Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) and efficient data handling.
Design, implement, and document RESTful APIs following industry best practices.
Create and maintain comprehensive API documentation using Swagger / OpenAPI specifications.
Ensure code quality, performance, security, and scalability across backend services.
Collaborate with frontend, DevOps, and data engineering teams to deliver end-to-end solutions.
Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize backend services in production environments.
Required Skills & Qualifications
5+ years of hands-on experience in Node.js backend development.
Strong expertise in server-side programming and backend system design.
Extensive experience with Express.js and/or Fastify frameworks.
Solid understanding of streaming architectures and event-driven systems.
Hands-on experience with Kafka for message streaming and asynchronous processing.
Strong knowledge of ORM tools (e.g., Sequelize, TypeORM, Prisma).
Proficiency in TypeScript for building robust and maintainable backend services.
Experience in building microservices and distributed systems.
Strong experience in API design and documentation using Swagger/OpenAPI.
Good understanding of performance optimization, logging, monitoring, and error handling.
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, containerization, and cloud-native deployments is a plus.
Nice to Have
Experience with high-throughput systems and real-time data pipelines.
Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS / Azure / GCP).
Knowledge of security best practices for backend APIs.
Experience with containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.