Principal/Staff Backend Engineer

Clera

Principal / Staff Backend Engineer for a fast-growing proptech startup, owning backend architecture and infrastructure end-to-end. Collaborating with a high-caliber team and utilizing AI tooling natively.

Posted 8/3/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $150,000 - $250,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in backend architecture, systems design, and database management, with a strong focus on AI-native development workflows. Proven ability to make architectural decisions and lead teams in high-impact environments, particularly in regulated industries.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Backend Architecture OwnershipAI-Native Development WorkflowSystems Design ExpertiseDatabase ManagementEnterprise-Grade Engineering Mindset

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Backend EngineeringSystems DesignDatabase ManagementAI ToolingInfrastructure Management

Soft Skills

CollaborationDelegationHigh-Intensity Work EthicSharp Intelligence

Industry Keywords

ProptechLegaltechFintechContract ManagementCompliance-Sensitive Data

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own backend architecture, databases, and infrastructure end to end
Set and raise the engineering bar for a platform that handles real estate transaction contracts — enterprise-grade care about downstream consequences, not just fast shipping
Build AI-natively: AI tooling is treated as a first-class part of the engineering workflow with a substantial annual AI/token budget
Make key architectural decisions and delegate effectively as the team scales
Collaborate closely with a small, high-caliber team in a high-ownership, high-impact environment

Requirements

What you’ll need

Staff or principal-level backend engineering depth — strong in systems design, databases, and infrastructure
Fully AI-native development workflow: you actively and effectively use AI tooling as a core part of how you build, not an afterthought
Based in the United States (fully remote within the US is fine)
Comfortable with high-intensity startup pace (~50 hours/week sustainably)
Exceptionally sharp — raw intelligence and a clear track record of capability matter more than years on a résumé
Nice to Have: Enterprise-grade engineering mindset — careful about downstream consequences in a product that owns legally significant transaction contracts
Nice to Have: Experience in proptech, legaltech, fintech, or other regulated/high-stakes verticals
Nice to Have: Background at companies handling complex document workflows, contract management, or compliance-sensitive data

Benefits

Comp & perks

Base salary: up to $250,000 (range: $150,000–$250,000)
Equity: meaningful equity stake with upside that scales with commitment
Substantial annual AI tooling / token budget
Full-time position