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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and build core systems for AI-driven production data pipelines.
- Company: Early-stage startup revolutionising enterprise software with autonomous AI agents.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, 30 days leave, health insurance, and team socials.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for growth in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Why this job: Join a small, dynamic team and make a real impact in AI technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years of software engineering experience and strong backend skills.
The predicted salary is between 150000 - 220000 ÂŁ per year.
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. The goal is to turn real production pain into reliable, production‑grade systems engineers trust and use.
Key Technologies
- Python + LangGraph (for multi‑agentic alert investigation)
- Rust (for fast and correct systems)
- ClickHouse (high‑volume event and investigation history storage)
- AWS + Terraform (infrastructure that builds itself)
- Next.js + TypeScript (frontend)
What You’ll Do
- Own the core systems that turn an alert into a defensible investigation and RCA.
- Architect and build the core alert, investigation, and root cause analysis pipeline in Python.
- Design and implement key systems such as:
- Hypothesis orchestration engine
- Investigation artifacts and reporting
Qualifications
- 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 (bonus points for early involvement).
- High ownership and sharp product instincts: you build what matters and cut what doesn’t.
Total Compensation Range £150,000 – £220,000+ (salary and equity value).
Benefits
- Salary + equity (equity typically ~0.3% – 2%+).
- 30 days annual leave.
- Employee health insurance.
- Weekly team dinners and socials.
- Regular team off‑sites and trips.
- The satisfaction of building a world‑class AI‑powered product with an exceptional team.
Founding Senior Backend Engineer employer: Tracer
Contact Detail:
Tracer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Senior Backend Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Build a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to backend systems and data pipelines. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and system design scenarios. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using platforms that offer this service to boost your confidence.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Senior Backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for AI and how it can transform production systems. Share any relevant projects or experiences that highlight your interest in this field.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the skills and experiences that align with our needs. Highlight your backend engineering expertise and any experience with the technologies we use, like Python and Rust.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your qualifications and achievements at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tracer
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key technologies mentioned in the job description, like Python, Rust, and AWS. Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and data platforms, as these will be crucial in your role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've turned production pain points into effective solutions. Highlight your experience with incident tooling and how you've improved system reliability in past roles.
✨Demonstrate Ownership and Initiative
Be ready to talk about times when you took ownership of a project or feature. Tracer values high ownership, so share how you’ve driven projects from conception to delivery, especially in fast-paced environments.
✨Engage with Founders' Vision
Understand Tracer's mission and be prepared to discuss how your skills align with their goals. Show enthusiasm for building AI-powered products and how you can contribute to their vision of transforming production data pipelines.