Backend Software EngineerFinTech AI Startup | NYC (Hybrid)$160,000 - $180,000 + Equity Join a fast-growing, venture-backed AI startup on a mission to revolutionize cloud financial optimization. Based in New York's West Village, this company is automating one of the most complex cost centers in tech. Their proprietary AI platform combines machine learning, automation, and intelligent rate optimization to help companies scale efficiently. With recent funding secured and major growth on the horizon, they're hiring a Backend Engineer to help scale the core infrastructure and build out a suite of API-driven, data-intensive microservices. THE ROLE This is a high-impact backend engineering role sitting at the intersection of software, infrastructure, and data. You'll be working across multi-cloud environments (primarily AWS), building scalable systems for data processing, financial modeling, and automation. You'll work closely with the CTO and a lean team of highly skilled engineers (currently 6 total). Expect fast build cycles, flexible working hours, and ownership from day one. What you'll be doing:
- Build and maintain scalable microservices using Python and serverless AWS technologies
- Design high-performance APIs and endpoints for real-time data retrieval
- Architect cloud-native infrastructure using Terraform (IaC)
- Own CI/CD workflows using GitLab Actions
- Develop and optimize large-scale data pipelines for AI/ML financial insights
- Ensure robust API security (OAuth/OpenAPI) and cloud compliance standards
THE TECH STACK
- Languages: Python, SQL
- Cloud: AWS (with exposure to GCP a plus)
- Infra: Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform
- Pipelines: ETL, unstructured-to-structured data transformation
- CI/CD: GitLab Actions
YOUR BACKGROUNDMust-haves:
- 4+ years' experience in software engineering with cloud and data focus
- Strong expertise in AWS and Terraform
- Proven track record building data pipelines and backend APIs
- Experience working with unstructured data at scale
- Deep understanding of infrastructure and cloud cost considerations
- Clear communicator, team-first, thrives in fast-paced environments
Nice-to-haves:
- Startup experience
- Machine learning integration exposure
- GCP or multi-cloud experience
- AWS certifications
Not the right fit if: You come from a heavily siloed or large enterprise/consulting background where breadth of technical ownership was limited. WHY JOIN?
- Equity in a fast-scaling, AI-driven FinTech
- Opportunity to join at Series A, own critical parts of the platform
- CTO-led engineering culture: collaborative, ego-free, impact-first
- Flexible hybrid model (3 days in office, no set days)
- Tech-first environment with diverse challenges-no siloes here
Perks:
- Unlimited PTO + mandatory company shutdowns in August & December
- 16-week fully paid parental leave
- 30-day sabbatical every 4 years
- Premium healthcare (75% employer-covered)
- Work-from-office in the heart of West Village
- Startup pace with mature engineering culture
INTERVIEW PROCESS
15-min intro with CTO - explore your background & engineering approach 30-min technical/behavioral interview - live coding + problem-solving Take-home assignment (~2 hours) Review session with CTO Final interview with co-founders/team (remote or onsite) They move fast-can wrap everything up within two weeks