Senior Backend Engineer

Early-Stage AI Platform | Regulated, Logistics-Adjacent MarketOverviewWe are developing AI agents for a complex, regulation-driven sector within global trade and logistics, a multi-trillion-dollar market that remains dependent on manual, document-heavy processes.Our platform automates regulatory tracking and document drafting and integrates with widely used communication and operational tools. This reduces processing times from hours to minutes and significantly increases productivity.We have achieved strong product-market fit, with a rapidly growing customer base, consistent monthly revenue growth, and significant efficiency gains for end users. Our team consists of experienced professionals from leading technology companies.The RoleAs a Senior Backend Engineer, you will be responsible for the core data infrastructure that supports our AI-driven platform in a regulated environment.This is a high-ownership, zero-to-one role. You will design and scale systems for real-time data ingestion, processing, and delivery across AI pipelines, queues, databases, and search layers. You will set backend technical direction and directly impact product reliability, scalability, and performance from day one.What You’ll DoArchitect and scale distributed backend systems, including queue pipelines, communication layers, and observability systemsDesign for failure using retry strategies, circuit breakers, and graceful degradationOwn database architecture, including schema design, indexing, query optimization, and scalable data pipelinesBuild and optimize search infrastructure for real-time data access and AI-driven features.Define service boundaries and establish backend engineering standards.Collaborate directly with founders on the roadmap and technical direction.Help hire and mentor backend engineers as the team grows.RequirementsMust Have4–6 years of professional backend software engineering experienceMeaningful time in a high-growth startup or high-scale production environmentDemonstrated ability to own and ship backend systems end-to-end in fast-moving, ambiguous environmentsTrack record of making sound architectural trade-offs under time pressure and revisiting decisions as requirements evolveStrong opinions about backend systems, held loosely and defended with clarity.Real startup experience (10+ person company), not just large enterprise environmentsSelf-starter mindset: You take ownership of problems end-to-end rather than executing predefined tasks.You are based in a major tech hub or are willing to relocate. In-person work is required and non-negotiable.Work authorization: We support transfers and existing permits but do not offer new sponsorships.Nice to HaveExperience with distributed systems, message queues (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ, SQS), and event-driven architecturesFamiliarity with AI/ML pipeline infrastructure or large-scale document processingExposure to enterprise requirements such as security, data retention, privacy, and complianceExperience with search infrastructure (e.g., Elasticsearch, vector databases)Background at a high-growth early-stage startup or as a founding engineerExperience in logistics, global trade, or other regulated industriesStrong academic background (preference, not a requirement)This Role Is NOT For You IfYou require large team structures, heavy documentation, or clearly defined long-term roadmaps to operate effectively.You prefer working on isolated components with tightly scoped responsibilities.You are uncomfortable with ambiguity, rapid iteration, and shifting priorities.Success MetricsSystem Reliability: Core services and queue-driven workflows maintain high uptime and low error rates under production loadThroughput & Latency: Processing pipelines and search systems meet performance expectations as data scalesArchitectural Quality: Systems are extensible, well-structured, and enable other engineers to build confidentlyVelocity: Deliver backend capabilities quickly without compromising correctness or resilienceAutonomy: Independently solve complex technical challenges while escalating the right issues at the right timeWhy This RoleJoin at a strong growth inflection point with rapid revenue expansion.Work directly with founders and influence core technical decisions.You will have full ownership from day one, with minimal bureaucracy and no ticket-driven culture.Solve complex distributed systems problems at the intersection of AI and regulated industries.The product is already delivering real impact and now needs to scaleWe offer an equity-first culture, with 0.2–0.5% equity.Benefits & PerksHealth insurance is fully coveredDental & vision 75% covered401k plan