We're looking for a Backend Tech Lead to guide a small backend engineering team (~6 engineers). This is a hands-on leadership role: you'll write code, but your primary impact will be through code reviews, pairing, mentoring, and improving how the team works together. You'll report directly to the Backend Engineering Manager and take ownership of the team's day-to-day technical direction, personnel development, and process improvements. **Responsibilities** - Lead a team of ~6 backend engineers - Leading the team technically, making technical decisions, pair-programming, and code review - Write code for features and improvements - Identify and address process, communication, and collaboration problems - not just technical ones - Improve onboarding, documentation, and developer experience for the team - Work with the Engineering Manager to set priorities and make technical decisions

- Senior-level programming ability - you can still write good code, not just review it - Experience with Go or similar languages - Able to discuss work topics (including technical topics) in Japanese - native Japanese speakers welcome, or conversational Japanese with technical vocabulary - Currently based in Japan and able to come to the Takebashi office once per week - Experience mentoring or leading other engineers, formally or informally - Proactive communication style - you surface problems and propose solutions rather than waiting

- Experience with real-time systems, streaming, or low-latency applications - Familiarity with NATS and gRPC, or similar technologies - Experience working on systems with tens of thousands of daily users - Track record of improving team processes, documentation, or developer tooling

**This role is a good fit if you:** - Want to shape how a team works, not just work within a system - Like the idea of working on realtime systems with real customers - Believe that documentation, clear processes, and good communication are as important as clever code - Are excited at the opportunity to help other engineers grow