Founding Engineer

Sierra

Founding Engineer developing a production run management platform for a pre-launch B2B SaaS startup. Collaborating with the founder and taking ownership of the tech stack from day one.

Posted 7/15/2026full-timeRemote • 🇧🇷 BrazilMid-LevelSenior💰 $6,000 - $8,000 per monthWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in full-stack software engineering with a strong focus on Python, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, and real-time application development using WebSockets. Proven ability to design and manage database schemas, write unit and integration tests, and lead technical direction in a startup environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Full-Stack Software EngineeringPython DevelopmentSQLAlchemy and Alembic ManagementReal-Time Application DevelopmentCloud Deployment on Railway

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

PythonFastAPISQLAlchemyAlembicWebSocketsNext.jsPostgreSQLUnit TestingIntegration TestingDatabase Schema Design

Soft Skills

OrganizedProactiveLogical CommunicationMentoringOwnership Mindset

Tools & Technologies

RailwayAI/LLM TechnologiesOpenAI APIs

Industry Keywords

Startup EnvironmentProduct DevelopmentSystem ArchitectureReal-Time FeaturesCloud Environments

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudJavaScriptNext.jsPostgresPythonReactSQL

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Audit, improve, and take full ownership of the product's existing codebase and architecture.
Build and ship features end-to-end using Python, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Alembic, WebSockets, and Next.js, making decisions across the entire stack.
Design and evolve the database schema, writing and maintaining Alembic migrations alongside SQLAlchemy models.
Build and maintain real-time features using WebSockets where appropriate.
Own infrastructure and deployment workflows on Railway, ensuring the platform remains reliable and scalable.
Write and maintain unit and integration tests to ensure the reliability and long-term maintainability of the product.
Work hand-in-hand with the founder daily, translating vision into shipped product.
Set technical direction and engineering best practices as the team's first engineer — your standards become the team's standards.
Collaborate with and mentor other developers as the engineering team grows.

Requirements

What you’ll need

5–6 years of full-stack software engineering experience, with strong system architecture knowledge across front-end and back-end.
Strong professional experience with Python, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Alembic, WebSockets, and modern React frameworks such as Next.js.
Strong SQL skills and hands-on experience designing, querying, and optimizing PostgreSQL databases.
Experience designing relational databases and managing schema changes through Alembic migrations.
Experience building or maintaining real-time applications using WebSockets.
Proven experience writing and maintaining unit and integration tests, with a focus on building reliable, well-tested software.
Experience deploying and operating applications in cloud environments (experience with Railway is a plus).
Basic knowledge of AI/LLM technologies (e.g., OpenAI APIs, prompt engineering, retrieval, or AI-powered product features) is a plus, as we'll be building AI capabilities into the product over time.
Founder mindset — someone who challenges ideas, proposes better solutions, and takes ownership rather than simply executing tickets.
Experience building products from 0 to 1 in startup environments, comfortable moving quickly and wearing multiple hats.
Organized, proactive, and highly logical communicator.
Strong written and verbal English for daily collaboration with the founder.

Benefits

Comp & perks

~1% equity 📊 Check your resume score for this job Improve your chances of getting an interview by checking your resume score before you apply. Check Resume Score