Junior Backend Engineer Resume Sample

Alex Kim

alex@kim.dev

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(415) 555-0201

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linkedin.com/in/alex-kim-backend

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github.com/alexkim

Junior Backend Engineer

Junior Backend Engineer with 2 years building scalable APIs and services. Proficient in Python, Node.js, SQL, and REST APIs. Contributed to 8 microservices handling 100K+ daily requests, reduced API latency by 25%, and improved database query performance by 40%. Passionate about clean code, testing, and system design.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Junior Backend Engineer

Jun 2023 – Present

TechStart SaaS

API Development: Built 12+ REST API endpoints for user management and billing services handling 100K+ daily requests, achieving 99.9% uptime and <200ms P95 latency
Database Optimization: Optimized slow PostgreSQL queries using indexing and query restructuring, improving average query time from 800ms to 480ms (40% faster)
Microservices Contribution: Contributed to 8 microservices in Python and Node.js, implementing features, writing unit/integration tests achieving 85% code coverage

Backend Engineering Intern

May 2022 – May 2023

DevShop Agency

API Development: Developed REST APIs in Node.js/Express for 3 client projects, implementing CRUD operations, authentication, and third-party integrations
Database Design: Designed and implemented PostgreSQL database schemas for 2 applications, defining tables, relationships, and migrations
Testing & Documentation: Wrote unit tests using Jest and integration tests with Supertest, documented APIs using Swagger for client handoff

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

CERTIFICATIONS

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Mar 2024

Amazon Web Services

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

2019-2023

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Software Engineering
Databases

Tools to build your Junior Backend Engineer resume

Copy and adapt these proven examples to create a resume that stands out.

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Resume Headlines

Use these attention-grabbing headlines to make a strong first impression.

Junior Backend Engineer | Python & Node.js | 100K+ Daily Requests, 99.9% Uptime

Backend Engineer | REST APIs & Microservices | 40% Query Performance Improvement

Junior Backend Engineer | Building Scalable APIs | 85% Test Coverage

Backend Engineer | Python, PostgreSQL, Docker | 25% Latency Reduction

Junior Backend Engineer | API Development | Handling 100K+ Requests Daily

Backend Engineer | Microservices & Testing | 8 Services Contributed

💡 Tip: Choose a headline that reflects your unique value proposition and matches the job requirements.

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Power Bullet Points

Adapt these achievement-focused bullets to showcase your impact.

API Development & Design

• Built 12+ REST API endpoints for user management and billing services handling 100K+ daily requests achieving 99.9% uptime and <200ms P95 latency

• Developed authentication API using JWT and OAuth 2.0 securing 50K+ user accounts with rate limiting and refresh token rotation

• Implemented GraphQL API resolvers with DataLoader for efficient batching reducing N+1 queries and improving response time by 60%

• Created webhook system processing 10K+ daily events with retry logic, idempotency, and dead letter queues ensuring reliable delivery

Database & Performance

• Optimized slow PostgreSQL queries using indexing and query restructuring improving average query time from 800ms to 480ms (40% faster)

• Designed database schemas with proper normalization, foreign keys, and indexes supporting 100K+ records with sub-second queries

• Implemented Redis caching layer reducing database load by 35% and improving API response times for frequently accessed data

• Built database migration system using Alembic managing schema evolution across development, staging, and production environments

Microservices & System Design

• Contributed to 8 microservices in Python (Flask, FastAPI) and Node.js (Express) implementing business logic, error handling, and logging

• Implemented message queue integration using RabbitMQ enabling async communication between services and improving system resilience

• Built background job system using Celery processing 20K+ daily tasks (email sending, report generation, data sync) with retry logic

• Developed service health checks and metrics endpoints enabling monitoring and alerting for 99.9% uptime

Testing & Code Quality

• Wrote comprehensive unit and integration tests using pytest and Jest achieving 85% code coverage and catching 30+ bugs pre-production

• Implemented CI/CD pipeline with GitHub Actions running automated tests, linting, and security checks on every pull request

• Conducted code reviews for 50+ pull requests providing constructive feedback and ensuring code quality standards

• Documented APIs using Swagger/OpenAPI enabling frontend teams to integrate efficiently and reducing integration time by 40%

💡 Tip: Replace generic terms with specific metrics, technologies, and outcomes from your experience.

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Resume Writing Tips for Junior Backend Engineers

Emphasize API Development Experience

Junior backend means proving you can build APIs. Highlight: endpoints built (12+), requests handled (100K+ daily), uptime (99.9%), latency (<200ms). Show you ship production backend code serving real users—not just learning exercises.

Quantify Performance and Scale

Backend impact is measurable. Include: query improvements (40% faster), latency reductions (25%), cache hit rates, test coverage (85%). Show you care about performance and quality—junior engineers differentiate through excellence.

Show Testing and Quality Mindset

Testing separates good from great junior engineers. Include: unit tests written, integration tests, test coverage (85%), bugs caught pre-production (30+). Show maturity—you don't just make it work, you make it work reliably.

Balance Languages, Databases, and Tools

List 10-12 skills covering languages (Python, Node.js), databases (PostgreSQL, Redis), tools (Docker, Git), and practices (testing, CI/CD). Show T-shaped: depth in backend fundamentals with breadth across the stack.

Highlight Learning and Collaboration

Junior roles emphasize growth. Include: code reviews participated in (50+), mentorship received, pair programming, documentation. Show you're coachable and collaborative—backend engineering is teamwork.

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Essential Skills & Keywords

Include these skills to optimize your resume for ATS systems and recruiter searches.

Backend Languages

Python (Flask, FastAPI) Node.js & Express RESTful API Design API Development Backend Fundamentals

Databases

PostgreSQL MySQL Redis & Caching Database Design SQL & Query Optimization Migrations

Microservices & Architecture

Microservices (Basics) Message Queues (RabbitMQ basics) Background Jobs (Celery) Service Communication API Gateway Concepts

Testing & Quality

Unit Testing (pytest, Jest) Integration Testing Test Coverage API Documentation (Swagger) Code Reviews

DevOps & Tools

Docker & Containers Git & GitHub CI/CD Basics Linux/Unix Logging & Monitoring

Best Practices

Agile/Scrum Clean Code Error Handling Authentication & Authorization API Security Documentation

💡 Tip: Naturally integrate 8-12 of these keywords throughout your resume, especially in your summary and experience sections.

Why this resume works

Role-Specific Strengths

API development fundamentals: Shows hands-on experience building REST APIs, handling requests, implementing business logic—core junior backend skills
Database and performance basics: Demonstrates understanding of SQL, query optimization, indexing—40% query performance improvement shows initiative
Testing and code quality: Emphasizes unit tests, integration tests, code reviews—quality mindset critical for junior engineers
Collaboration and learning: Highlights working with senior engineers, code reviews, documentation—shows growth mindset

✓ ATS-Friendly Elements

Entry-level keywords: "REST API," "microservices," "SQL," "Python," "Node.js," "unit testing"
Action verbs: Developed, Implemented, Optimized, Collaborated, Tested
Technologies: Python, Node.js, PostgreSQL, Redis, Docker, Git
Practices: Agile, code reviews, CI/CD, testing
Quantified contributions: APIs built, latency reduced, performance improved

✓ Human-Readable Design

Summary emphasizes execution: built APIs, reduced latency, improved performance
Metrics scaled appropriately: 8 services, 100K requests, 25% improvements
Experience shows progression from intern to junior engineer
Skills balance languages, databases, tools, and practices
Recent CS degree or bootcamp signals entry level

💡 Key Takeaways

Junior backend engineers should emphasize API development, database work, and code quality
Quantify your work: APIs built, requests handled, latency reduced, tests written
Show technology breadth: languages (Python/Node), databases (SQL/NoSQL), tools (Docker/Git)
Highlight learning: mention mentorship, code reviews, pair programming
Testing matters: unit tests, integration tests, test coverage—show quality mindset

📈 Career Progression in Backend Engineering

See how Backend Engineering roles evolve from feature implementation to system architecture.

💻 Junior Engineer (Current) ⚙️ Backend Engineer → 🚀 Senior/Staff Engineer →

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Junior Backend Engineer Resume Example