Founding Backend Engineer

Startupletter; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic technology startup in London is seeking a Founding Backend Engineer to design and build core backend features. The role requires 4 years of experience and proficiency in Python or TypeScript. You will own features from conception to delivery, collaborating closely with stakeholders to achieve impactful results. This position offers the opportunity to shape architecture and experiment with new technologies in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 4 years of experience in software engineering, ideally with backend systems.
• Ability to quickly learn new technologies as required.
• Demonstrated initiative through independent projects or contributions.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and ship core backend and platform features.
• Own features end to end from scoping to delivery and iteration.
• Work closely with product and customers to deliver measurable outcomes.

Skills

Proficiency in Python

Proficiency in TypeScript

Strong customer focus

Solid software engineering fundamentals

Ability to design reliable backend systems

Experience building AI-enabled products

Collaborative team player

Action-oriented mindset

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a Founding Backend Engineer to help build and scale core product capabilities from the ground up. This role offers end-to-end ownership, close collaboration with customers, and the opportunity to shape foundational architecture while moving quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Min Experience: 4 years

Location: London

Job Type: full-time

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and ship core backend and platform features using Python, TypeScript, cloud infrastructure, and event-driven architectures
• Own features end to end—from understanding customer needs and scoping solutions to delivery and iteration
• Balance rapid experimentation with long-term scalability, knowing when to prototype quickly and when to engineer for durability
• Establish and uphold best practices for testing, documentation, reliability, security, and performance
• Work closely with product, customers, and early team members to deliver measurable outcomes

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong customer focus, building systems with real-world impact and user success in mind
• Action-oriented mindset with a willingness to experiment, learn quickly, and iterate
• High sense of ownership and accountability, driving outcomes rather than just tasks
• Ambitious and curious, excited to explore new technologies, domains, and markets
• Collaborative team player who contributes wherever needed and supports overall team success
• Quality-driven engineer with a commitment to continuously improving systems and code

Required Skills & Experience

• Solid software engineering fundamentals with the ability to design, debug, and scale reliable backend systems
• Proficiency in Python or TypeScript, with the ability to quickly learn new technologies as required
• Experience building and shipping AI-enabled products, whether in startups, side projects, or large-scale systems
• Comfortable working across backend services, APIs, data pipelines, and cloud infrastructure
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders to define scope, manage trade-offs, and deliver solutions
• Demonstrated initiative through independent projects, open-source contributions, or early-stage product development