Senior Software Development Engineer 5
Overview
Join Adobe’s Experience Platform (AEP) team as a Senior Software Engineer 5 focused on backend systems. You will architect and deliver scalable, high-performance backend solutions powering AI-native applications in Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Multi-Agent Collaboration Platform (MCP) environments. This role requires deep technical expertise, leadership in engineering, and a passion for innovation at scale.
Key Responsibilities
Architect and Develop Backend Systems
Lead the design and implementation of robust, scalable backend services using Java and Python.
Own end-to-end system architecture for AI-native applications, including RAG/MCP multi-agent environments.
Define and enforce code standards, guidelines, and architectural patterns for the team.
AI-Native Application Engineering
Build and optimize backend components that support AI/ML workflows, including data ingestion, orchestration, and inference pipelines.
Collaborate with data scientists and AI engineers to integrate advanced models and agents into production systems.
Drive innovation in the use of AI within AEP, contributing net new solutions and breakthrough ideas.
Data Platform Integration
Design and maintain data pipelines and APIs employing AEP’s XDM schemas and real-time data services.
Ensure seamless integration with cloud-native infrastructure (AWS, Azure) and distributed data frameworks (e.g., Spark, Kafka).
Technical Leadership & Mentorship
Lead code reviews, technical discussions, and system design sessions across teams and business units.
Mentor and coach engineers, sharing knowledge through documentation, presentations, and technical blogs.
Influence technical direction and innovation across Adobe’s Experience Platform organization.
Quality, Security, and Performance
Establish and uphold standards for code quality, test automation, and system reliability.
Proactively identify and resolve complex system issues, ensuring high availability and performance.
Advocate for secure programming practices and data privacy compliance.
Required Qualifications
10+ years of experience in backend software engineering, with a proven track record of architecting and delivering large-scale, distributed systems.
Advanced proficiency in Java and Python; experience with cloud-native development and containerization (Kubernetes, Docker).
Demonstrated expertise in building AI-native applications, especially in RAG/MCP multi-agent environments.
Deep understanding of data modeling, API design, and integration with data platforms.
Strong knowledge of distributed data frameworks and real-time data processing.
Experience leading technical teams, mentoring engineers, and driving cross-team initiatives.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field (or equivalent experience).
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with XDM schemas, data lake architectures, and real-time customer intelligence systems.
Familiarity with AI/ML model deployment, orchestration, and monitoring in production environments.
Contributions to technical publications, open-source projects, or conference presentations.
What Sets You Apart
Recognized as a technical leader and innovator in backend engineering and AI-native systems.
Ability to synthesize complex requirements into elegant, scalable solutions.
Passion for mentoring, teaching others, and encouraging a culture of continuous learning.
Strong communication skills and ability to influence across business units and partners.
About Adobe
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
Let’s Adobe together
At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.
Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Learn more.
Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email accommodations@adobe.com or call +1 408-536-3015.
AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:
Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.
Expected Pay Range:
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $159,200 -- $301,600 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.

In California, the pay range for this position is $208,300 - $301,600

At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.
State-Specific Notices:
California:
Fair Chance Ordinances
Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.
Colorado:
Application Window Notice
If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Legal Notice
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.