Digital·Intermediate
Backend Developer
Target role — API Engineer
Design reliable services, data models and APIs that scale — and prove it with a deployed, documented, tested backend.
By the end, you'll have shipped
A documented REST API with authA normalised database schemaA cached, load-tested endpointA containerised service in CI/CD
Career insight
10,300+
Open roles
active openings, last 30 days
$118k
Median salary
$80k–$165k · US median base, mid-level
High demand
Hiring demand
steady YoY postings
No degree required
Typical entry
Skills and portfolio carry interviews
Most-requested skills
Node.js / Python
Related roles
Full-Stack DeveloperPlatform EngineerSoftware EngineerDevOps Engineer
The path · 5 stages · 15 checkpoints
Stage progression
1
Language & Web Foundations
Pick a backend language and learn how the web actually delivers requests.
Pick a Language
Language2 weeks
How the Internet Works
1 week
Version Control & Workflow
1 week
2
APIs & Services
Build the HTTP APIs your clients talk to — correctly and conventionally.
3
Data & Persistence
Store data the right way across relational and non-relational models.
4
Scale & Architecture
Make services resilient: queues, patterns and real-time data.
5
Ship & Job Search
Test, containerise, deploy — and prepare for your job search.