Senior Backend Engineer

Senior Backend EngineerSan Francisco, CAIn-person | Full-TimeAbout the OpportunityWe are working with a fast-growing AI infrastructure startup focused on transforming operational workflows within global trade and logistics.The business is building AI agents that automate document-heavy operational processes traditionally handled manually by logistics and customs teams. The platform is already processing meaningful production volume and delivering measurable operational impact at scale.Backed by leading early-stage investors, the team has strong momentum, significant revenue growth, and a deeply technical founding group with backgrounds from major technology companies and AI-focused environments.The RoleAs a Senior Backend Engineer, you will own critical backend infrastructure powering AI-driven operational workflows and real-time logistics systems.This is a high-autonomy engineering role focused on:Distributed backend systemsQueue-driven architecturesSearch infrastructureReliability and observabilityReal-time data processing pipelinesYou will help shape backend architecture from an early stage while working directly with founders on technical direction and product scalability.What You'll Be DoingArchitect and scale distributed backend systems and data infrastructureBuild and maintain queue pipelines, communication layers, and observability toolingDesign resilient systems using retry logic, circuit breakers, and graceful degradation strategiesOwn database reliability, schema design, indexing, and query optimisationBuild AI search and retrieval infrastructure for real-time operational workflowsDefine backend engineering standards and service boundariesCollaborate directly with founders on roadmap and architecture decisionsHelp mentor and scale future backend engineering hiresRequirementsMust-Have5–8+ years of software engineering experienceStrong experience within high-growth startups or production-scale environmentsProven ability to own backend systems end-to-end in fast-moving environmentsStrong architectural judgement and ability to make pragmatic trade-offs under pressureStartup mentality with strong ownership and autonomyComfortable operating without rigid structure or highly defined ticketsBased in San Francisco or willing to relocate immediatelyExisting US work authorisation or transferable visa statusNice-to-HaveKafkaRabbitMQSQSEvent-driven systemsDistributed systems architectureExposure to AI/ML infrastructure or document-processing systemsSearch infrastructure experience (Elasticsearch, pgvector, vector search, etc.)Enterprise platform experience involving:securitycomplianceprivacydata retentionExperience within Series A/B startups or founding engineering teamsExposure to logistics, customs, or regulated-industry softwareThis Role May Not Suit You IfYou require heavy process, extensive documentation, or rigid roadmap structuresYou prefer narrowly scoped component ownershipEarly-stage ambiguity and rapid iteration are uncomfortable environments for youWhy This Opportunity Stands OutHigh ownership from day oneDirect collaboration with highly technical foundersReal distributed systems and scaling challengesProduct already operating at meaningful production scaleStrong engineering culture focused on speed, autonomy, and executionSignificant equity opportunity alongside competitive compensation