Senior Backend Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Design, develop, and sustain scalable asynchronous backend services and APIs utilizing Python.

• Take ownership of core systems from start to finish: including architecture, implementation, testing, deployment, and operational excellence.

• Create systems that support multi-tenant workflows, detailed permissions, integrations, and agent-driven product experiences.

• Write and assess database migrations and row-level security policies within a compliance-focused environment.

• Enhance reliability, observability, and performance across essential pathways.

• Work closely with product, design, and research teams to convert user needs into robust backend architecture.

• Contribute to engineering standards, promote a culture of code review, and enhance team workflows.

• Help define the technical direction in a dynamic environment with shifting product requirements.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 5 years of professional software engineering experience with significant backend development expertise.

• Extensive hands-on experience in building backend services using Python.

• Proficient in asynchronous programming in Python, including asyncio, async database access, or developing high-concurrency services.

• In-depth knowledge of PostgreSQL, covering schema design, query optimization, transactions, and production migrations.

• Experience in designing or implementing multi-tenant data isolation and access control mechanisms.

• Strong foundation in software design principles: modular architecture, testing discipline, maintainability, and clear interface design.

• Familiarity with Redis or similar technologies for caching, queuing, rate limiting, or pub/sub systems.

• Capability to independently manage projects and make informed technical decisions in ambiguous situations.

• Excellent communication skills paired with a collaborative, low-ego approach to teamwork.

• Highly preferred: Experience with FastAPI, Starlette, Litestar, or other contemporary Python web frameworks.

• Background in developing backend systems for AI products, agentic workflows, or applications powered by large language models, such as RAG pipelines, tool-calling agents, or orchestration layers.

• Experience with security-sensitive or enterprise systems, focusing on access controls, audit logging, and compliance-driven engineering constraints.

• Familiarity with OpenTelemetry or similar production observability tools.

• Nice to have: Experience with pgvector, SurrealDB, or other vector retrieval systems.

• Exposure to SOC 2, fintech, healthtech, or other regulated sectors.

• Experience with agent runtimes, sandboxing, or MCP integrations.

• Understanding of distributed systems, asynchronous processing, and performance enhancement.

• Previous experience in startup environments or zero-to-one projects.

• Comfortable reading TypeScript or React during frontend-backend integration tasks.

🏝️ Benefits

• Engage with technically challenging products at the convergence of AI, security, and enterprise software.

• Be part of a small, experienced team with extensive knowledge in research, distributed systems, and production engineering.

• Influence architecture, product strategy, and engineering culture significantly.

• Develop products that have a tangible impact on the real world, rather than just creating prototypes.