Founding Backend Software Engineer – Senior/Staff

SignalFire

Founding backend engineer opportunities for SignalFire’s VC-backed startup portfolio. Building scalable APIs, microservices, databases, and cloud infrastructure with early-stage founders.

Posted 8/5/2026full-timeCalifornia • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $170,000 - $250,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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

Demonstrates expertise in backend frameworks such as Node.js, Django, and Flask, alongside proficiency in cloud infrastructure like AWS and GCP. Capable of designing scalable, high-performance backend systems while ensuring security and efficiency.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Backend Frameworks ExpertiseCloud Infrastructure ExperienceDatabase Optimization SkillsAPI Development ProficiencyContainerization with Docker and Kubernetes

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Node.jsDjangoFlaskRuby on RailsFastAPISpring BootPostgreSQLMySQLMongoDBPython

Tools & Technologies

AWSGCPAzureDockerKubernetesCI/CD Pipelines

Industry Keywords

Backend EngineeringMicroservicesCloud-Based ArchitecturesData ModelingScalable Distributed Systems

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSAzureCloudDistributed SystemsDjangoDockerDynamoDBFlaskGoGoogle Cloud PlatformJavaJavaScriptKubernetesMicroservicesMongoDBMySQLNode.jsPostgresPythonRedisRubyRuby on RailsSpringSpring BootSpringBoot

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Connect exceptional founding backend engineers with VC-backed startup opportunities through SignalFire’s Talent Network
Design, build, and maintain scalable, high-performance backend systems
Develop APIs, microservices, and cloud-based architectures
Optimize databases and data pipelines for reliability and efficiency
Collaborate with founders to define technical strategy and align it with business goals
Ensure backend infrastructure is secure, fault-tolerant, and cost-efficient
Establish best practices for software development, DevOps, and infrastructure management
Submit applications to join SignalFire’s Talent Ecosystem
Maintain candidate profiles for future backend engineering roles across SignalFire’s portfolio

Requirements

What you’ll need

3+ years of experience as a backend engineer
Proven track record of shipping production systems
Expertise in backend frameworks including Node.js, Django, Flask, Ruby on Rails, FastAPI, or Spring Boot
Strong understanding of PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, DynamoDB, Redis, and data modeling
Experience with AWS, GCP, or Azure cloud infrastructure
Experience with Docker and Kubernetes containerization
Proficiency in Python, Go, Java, Node.js, or Ruby
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code tools
Interest in backend architecture and scalable distributed systems
Interest in building APIs, microservices, and cloud infrastructure
Experience in early-stage startups or lean teams is a plus

Benefits

Comp & perks

$170K – $250K base salary
Equity offered