Founding Senior Backend Engineer in London
Founding Senior Backend Engineer

Founding Senior Backend Engineer in London

London Full-Time 150000 - 220000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Own and build core systems for AI-driven alert investigations in production data pipelines.
  • Company: Join Tracer, a pioneering startup revolutionising enterprise software with autonomous AI agents.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity ownership, 30 days leave, health insurance, and team socials.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by developing cutting-edge technology that transforms production challenges into solutions.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years of software engineering experience, strong backend skills, and startup experience preferred.
  • Other info: Be part of a small, dynamic team with opportunities for significant career growth.

The predicted salary is between 150000 - 220000 £ per year.

About Us

Tracer is an early-stage, venture-backed startup building autonomous AI agents for production data pipelines. We are backed by experienced operators and investors who believe AI for production systems will be one of the defining enterprise software categories of the next decade. Our team is small, senior, and highly execution-focused.

About the Role

Tracer is building agentic alert investigation for production data pipelines. We're hiring a Founding Senior Backend Engineer in London to own and build the core systems that turn production alerts into grounded RCAs and fix suggestions for a small set of high-value alerts. This role combines backend systems with product engineering and customer problems, with the goal of turning real production pain into reliable, production-grade systems engineers trust and use.

You’ll Love Our Tech Stack

  • Python + LangGraph (for multi-agentic alert investigation)
  • Rust (because we like systems that are fast and correct)
  • ClickHouse (high-volume event + investigation history at scale)
  • AWS + Terraform (infrastructure that builds itself)
  • Next.js + TypeScript (because front-end should be sexy too)

What You’ll Do

You’ll own the core systems that turn an alert into a defensible investigation and RCA. In practice, you will:

  • Architect and build the core alert, investigation, root cause analysis (RCA) pipeline in Python
  • Design and implement key systems including:
  • Alert ingestion + normalization
  • Context enrichment + correlation
  • Problem framing outputs
  • Hypothesis orchestration engine
  • Investigation execution runtime
  • Investigation artifacts + reporting
  • Drive core architecture decisions and ensure the system is observable, auditable, and reliable from day one.
  • Partner with founders to ship a small set of high-value alert types that work extremely well, then expand coverage deliberately.
  • Build customer-ready integrations across the pipeline stack.
  • Set a high bar for technical quality, speed, and pragmatism through example, reviews, and system design.
  • Own production behavior of the system end-to-end: performance, failure modes, debuggability, and operational safety.
  • What We’re Looking For

    • 5+ years (ideally 10+) professional software engineering experience.
    • Proven track record of shipping real products at high velocity.
    • Strong backend and distributed-systems foundations, ideally with experience in data platforms and production pipeline stacks and incident/observability tooling.
    • Experience working at an early-stage startup and bonus points for having joined earlier.
    • High ownership and sharp product instincts: you build what matters and cut what doesn’t.

    Compensation & Benefits

    Total Compensation Range: £150,000 – £220,000+ (salary and equity value). We structure compensation as follows:

    • Competitive base salary
    • Meaningful equity ownership with real upside
    • Final package depends on experience, impact, and seniority

    What’s included:

    • Salary + equity (equity typically ~0.3% – 2%+)
    • 30 days annual leave
    • Employee health insurance
    • Visa sponsorship
    • Weekly team dinners and socials
    • Regular team offsites and trips (our most recent was Kenya)
    • The satisfaction of building a world-class AI-powered product with an exceptional team

    Application Requirements (Read Carefully)

    We are intentionally selective. Please answer all of the following in your application. Applications that do not include these will not be reviewed.

    • Why do you consider yourself an exceptional engineer? (Be specific, we’re interested in evidence, not adjectives.)
    • Why Tracer? What about this problem, product, or moment resonates with you?
    • Links we should see: GitHub, Portfolio, blog posts, talks, or anything else that shows how you think and build

    Our Recruitment Process

    • Introductory Call (15-30 mins): Call with our hiring manager to discuss your background, motivations, and learn more about Tracer
    • Role Fit Interview (45 mins): Meet with your manager or a similar-level team member to review your working style, skills, and fit for the role
    • Take-home & Competency Deep Dive (1 hour): Complete a practical exercise (e.g., case study, presentation, or technical problem-solving) to explore the role's responsibilities and expectations
    • On-site meetup (Half Day): On-site interviews and team lunch at our headquarters to ask any questions and experience our office and culture firsthand
    • Offer: Final decision and offer

    Founding Senior Backend Engineer in London employer: Tracer Cloud Inc

    At Tracer, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. As a founding member of our small, senior team, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the future of AI-driven production systems while enjoying competitive compensation, meaningful equity ownership, and a supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth through regular team offsites and social events. Join us to make a significant impact in a rapidly evolving field, surrounded by passionate professionals who are dedicated to building world-class technology.
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    Contact Detail:

    Tracer Cloud Inc Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Founding Senior Backend Engineer in London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry, especially those who work at startups or in AI. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Show off your skills! Create a personal project or contribute to open-source. This not only sharpens your abilities but also gives you something tangible to discuss during interviews. Plus, it shows you're passionate about what you do!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare for the interview like it's a big game day. Research Tracer, understand their tech stack, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Tailor your answers to show how you can solve their specific problems.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Tracer.

    We think you need these skills to ace Founding Senior Backend Engineer in London

    Python
    Rust
    ClickHouse
    AWS
    Terraform
    Next.js
    TypeScript
    Backend Systems Engineering
    Distributed Systems
    Data Platforms
    Incident Tooling
    Observability Tooling
    Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
    System Architecture
    High Ownership

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Be Specific About Your Experience: When answering why you consider yourself an exceptional engineer, don’t just throw around adjectives. We want to see concrete examples of your work and achievements. Share specific projects or challenges you've tackled that showcase your skills.

    Show Your Passion for Tracer: In your application, make sure to explain why Tracer excites you. What about our mission or the problems we’re solving resonates with you? This is your chance to show us that you’re not just looking for any job, but that you genuinely want to be part of our journey.

    Include Relevant Links: Don’t forget to include links to your GitHub, portfolio, or any other relevant work. We love seeing how you think and build, so share anything that highlights your skills and creativity. It’s a great way for us to get to know you better!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It streamlines the process for both you and us, ensuring your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Tracer Cloud Inc

    ✨Know Your Tech Stack

    Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, Rust, and AWS. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects and how they can apply to building reliable systems for production data pipelines.

    ✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

    Prepare specific examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in previous roles. Highlight your experience with incident management and observability tooling, as this will resonate well with the team at Tracer.

    ✨Demonstrate Ownership and Impact

    Be ready to discuss instances where you've taken ownership of a project or feature from start to finish. Emphasise your ability to prioritise what matters and cut out the noise, showcasing your sharp product instincts.

    ✨Engage with Their Mission

    Research Tracer's mission and the problems they're solving with AI in production systems. Prepare thoughtful questions about their approach and express why you're passionate about contributing to their vision, making it clear that you align with their goals.

    Founding Senior Backend Engineer in London
    Tracer Cloud Inc
    Location: London
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    • Founding Senior Backend Engineer in London

      London
      Full-Time
      150000 - 220000 £ / year (est.)
    • T

      Tracer Cloud Inc

      50-100
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