Technical Lead – Back End in Portland, Oregon - #73085 | VanderHouwen

Description

Job Id: 73085

Technical Lead – Back End
Our client is seeking a Technical Lead – Back End to evaluate the technical foundation of a large-scale consumer web platform and help define a practical roadmap for its future evolution. The ideal candidate combines strong back-end architecture expertise with an analytical, systems-oriented mindset and can collaborate across engineering, ecommerce, data, product, and design teams to translate technical findings into actionable recommendations.

This role is fully remote.

Technical Lead – Back End Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive technical assessment of the existing web platform, including back-end architecture, application health, technology stack, APIs, integrations, and supporting development practices.
• Evaluate ecommerce and transaction architecture, with particular attention to checkout, customer accounts, subscriptions, personalization, and opportunities to support a more subscription-focused customer experience.
• Map key systems, integrations, ownership, dependencies, and data flows to establish a clear understanding of the current technical ecosystem and identify architectural constraints.
• Assess site performance, including page speed and Core Web Vitals, and establish technical benchmarks that can be used to measure future improvements.
• Review platform configuration and custom development for maintainability, scalability, code quality, and potential technical risks.
• Evaluate ecommerce catalog architecture and administrative organization, including product structures, collections, tags, metafields, and related platform configurations.
• Partner with ecommerce, subscription, application, data, and back-end engineering stakeholders to understand current capabilities, development resources, workflows, and technical requirements.
• Identify technical limitations or dependencies affecting checkout, account creation, subscription purchasing, personalization, and other critical customer journeys.
• Translate approved roadmap priorities and information architecture into detailed technical user stories, system acceptance criteria, business rules, data requirements, and platform interactions.
• Document technical findings and requirements in Confluence to support engineering planning, future design work, and implementation decisions.

Technical Lead – Back End Qualifications

• Strong experience leading back-end architecture, technical discovery, platform audits, or modernization initiatives for complex consumer-facing web environments.
• Deep understanding of APIs, system integrations, application architecture, data flows, and scalable back-end engineering practices.
• Experience with ecommerce platforms and architectures, including checkout, customer accounts, product catalog structures, subscriptions, and related integrations.
• Ability to evaluate existing technology stacks and codebases and identify scalability, maintainability, performance, and integration considerations.
• Experience analyzing web performance metrics, including page speed and Core Web Vitals.
• Strong understanding of engineering practices and design systems, with the ability to consider how technical foundations support consistent digital experiences.
• Experience developing technical user stories, acceptance criteria, business rules, system requirements, and implementation documentation.
• Proficiency with Confluence or similar technical documentation and collaboration platforms.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, ecommerce, data, product, design, and other cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to work directly within Figma to review, contribute to, and collaborate on design and technical requirements.

Compensation: $60-$75/hr. (DOE)

VanderHouwen Contractors Enjoy Exceptional Benefit Perks!
As an eligible contract employee with VanderHouwen, you’ll have access to a full suite of benefits designed with your well-being in mind. Our comprehensive package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and a matching 401(k) to help secure your future.

Meet VanderHouwen
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VanderHouwen is an award-winning, Women & Diversity-Owned, WBENC certified professional staffing firm. Founded in 1987, VanderHouwen places experienced professionals across the nation! Our recruitment teams specialize in either Technology and IT, Engineering, Human Resources, or Accounting and Finance career markets. Partner with us to land your next exciting career!

VanderHouwen is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. VanderHouwen does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal civil rights laws.

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