Founding Backend Software Engineer

Responsibilities

You will lead the design and development of scalable backend systems and infrastructure for AI-powered video products. This includes managing agentic workflows, video generation pipelines, and distributed systems architecture while setting high technical standards.

Requirements

Candidates must have five to ten years of backend software engineering experience, including at least 12 months working with agentic systems and LLMs. Professional proficiency in TypeScript, AWS, and strong fundamentals in system design and algorithms are required.

Skills

• Backend Engineering
• Distributed Systems
• TypeScript
• AWS
• AI Video Software
• Agentic Workflows
• Generative AI
• LLMs
• Data Processing
• System Design
• Algorithms
• Data Structures
• Technical Leadership
• Infrastructure Design
• Performance Benchmarking
• Observability

About this role

About the Role
Join an early-stage AI video software team as a founding backend engineer. You will lead the design of the systems and infrastructure behind AI-powered video products, while setting a high technical standard on a small engineering team.
What You'll Do
Design and build scalable backend systems that support AI-powered video creation.
Develop infrastructure for agentic workflows, video generation pipelines, reinforcement learning loops, and real-time data processing.
Own distributed systems architecture and improve reliability through automated testing, performance benchmarking, and end-to-end observability.
Partner with researchers, engineers, and designers to deliver product features and APIs.
Set technical direction and engineering standards through hands-on coding, documentation, and clear communication.
What We're Looking For
Five to ten years of backend software engineering experience, including work at an early-stage or high-growth startup.
Experience building scalable backend and distributed systems, large-scale data processing, information retrieval, and asynchronous workflows.
At least 12 months of industry experience building agentic systems and working with LLMs or generative AI.
Professional experience with TypeScript and AWS.
Strong fundamentals in algorithms, data structures, and system design, along with a formal degree.
Experience providing technical leadership, setting direction, and establishing code standards.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Authorization to work without visa sponsorship.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary is $225,000 to $275,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Location
On-site, five days a week in San Francisco, California.