Founding Software Engineer

Starch is building the AI native operating system for investment banking.Deal teams still spend enormous amounts of time assembling pitch materials, rebuilding comps and precedent transactions, maintaining buyer and target lists, searching prior deals for work that has already been done, and moving information between data rooms, CRMs, trackers, and inboxes. Starch connects to the tools banks already use and turns this work into secure, auditable workflows powered by AI.We are backed by Wonder Ventures and Night Capital. We are early, ambitious, and building alongside sophisticated investment banks.The RoleWe are looking for a Founding Software Engineer to take broad ownership of Starch's technical foundation and help us build software that investment banks can trust with live deals and confidential client information.You will design and build core backend systems, shape our architecture, strengthen infrastructure and security, and improve how we deploy, monitor, and scale the platform. You will work directly with the founders, make consequential technical decisions, and have a meaningful voice in product and business direction.This is a hands on role with unusually broad scope. You will establish durable foundations across the platform while helping us decide where to hire, automate, or bring in specialized support as the company grows.What you will ownThe architecture and evolution of Starch's core platformBackend systems, infrastructure, deployments, observability, reliability, and performanceSecurity practices and the deployment requirements that come with bank information security reviewTechnical controls and systems that support SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliance, in partnership with the founders and external specialistsIntegrations with market and company data providers, CRMs, data rooms, document and deal management systems, AI models, and execution environmentsTechnical decisions that allow Starch to scale across banks and deployment environmentsThe engineering standards and practices that will shape the future teamOur StackStarch is a TypeScript native platform built on Postgres. Our modular architecture combines a shared foundation with bank specific workflows, integrations, and deployment configurations. This allows us to build deeply customized systems for individual banks without fragmenting the core platform.The platform spans containerized services, infrastructure managed through Terraform, edge function deployments, AI model gateways, automation systems, browser workflows, isolated code execution environments, and an expanding ecosystem of market data and enterprise integrations.You do not need experience with every part of the stack, and you do not need a background in banking. We care more about strong engineering judgment, systems thinking, and the ability to master new technologies quickly. We will teach you how deals actually get done.You might be a fit if you:Have deep experience building and operating production systemsUnderstand architecture, infrastructure, databases, security, deployment, and reliability at a fundamental levelCrave ownership and are comfortable making consequential decisions with incomplete informationLearn quickly and adapt as the product, customers, and technical constraints evolveCare about building simple, durable systems rather than adding unnecessary complexityAre willing to learn a domain deeply, because software bankers rely on has to reflect how deals actually runWant to influence product and business direction, not just execute a roadmapAre excited to work closely with the founders and help shape Starch's engineering organizationWe welcome candidates from unconventional backgrounds. We care about what you can build, how you think, and the level of responsibility you are ready to take on, not where you went to school or which companies appear on your resume.CompensationSalary: $140,000 to $240,000Equity: Meaningful founding team equity, calibrated based on experience, role scope, and cash compensationBenefitsHealth insuranceUnlimited paid time offMeals provided during in office working daysVisa sponsorship may be available for exceptional candidates, depending on individual circumstancesLocationBrooklyn Heights, Brooklyn. On-site five days a week.Interview process30 minute founder conversation60 to 90 minute technical working session30 minute final conversation with both foundersReferencesIf you want unusual ownership, direct influence, and the opportunity to build foundational technology for the future of investment banking, we would love to hear from you.