At a Glance
- Tasks: Scale infrastructure for AI workflows and design reliable systems under high load.
- Company: Innovative Series A startup focused on developer infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a paid trial day.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with high intrinsic motivation and direct collaboration with founders.
- Why this job: Join a small team tackling real-world distributed systems challenges at scale.
- Qualifications: Experience with backend systems at scale and deep understanding of distributed systems.
The predicted salary is between 136000 - 180000 £ per year.
I'm working with a Series A developer infrastructure startup on one of the more technically demanding backend roles I've come across this year. The platform runs AI agents and background workflows in production, at massive scale. Some customers execute hundreds of millions of jobs per month. The team is ~13 people. There are no engineering managers. Engineers own large parts of the system and work directly with the founders on architecture. The core challenge right now is infrastructure scale. Execution volume is growing faster than the team can build, which means the next hires are walking into a genuine distributed systems problem, not a greenfield rebuild or a dashboard feature.
What you'll be working on:
- Scaling the infrastructure that executes millions to billions of AI agent workflows per month
- Designing and operating reliable systems under extreme concurrency and rapid load spikes
- Building secure execution environments for user-generated code (Firecracker micro-VMs)
- Server lifecycle management — spinning capacity up and down rapidly under load
- Observability and reliability tooling across the platform
The stack:
- TypeScript (99% of the codebase)
- PostgreSQL, Redis, ClickHouse
- Go emerging as a second language — experience is a bonus but not required
- Kubernetes background useful (they're evolving away from it, but the mindset matters)
What they're looking for:
- Backend engineers who've operated systems at serious scale — fintech, devtools, or infrastructure-heavy SaaS
- Deep understanding of distributed systems, reliability, and infrastructure design
- Comfortable owning large surface areas with minimal direction
- Engineers who use AI tooling heavily — this is screened for directly in the interview
- High intrinsic motivation — the team moves fast and doesn't slow down for anyone
What they're not looking for:
- Full-stack engineers whose instinct is to reach for the frontend
- Anyone who needs structured management to ship
- Candidates coming from large enterprises or low-velocity environments
Comp Senior: £136k–£150k + ~0.3% equity Staff: £164k–£180k + ~0.3% equity Paid trial day as part of the process (£400) The bar is high. The trial day has roughly a 10% pass rate. But if you've built backend systems at scale and you're the kind of engineer who finds that motivating rather than off-putting — drop me a message.
Backend Engineer employer: Wave Talent
Join a dynamic and innovative Series A startup that offers an exceptional opportunity for backend engineers to work on cutting-edge infrastructure challenges at scale. With a flat team structure and direct collaboration with founders, you'll have the chance to take ownership of significant system components while enjoying a flexible remote work environment across Europe or London. The company fosters a culture of high intrinsic motivation and rapid growth, providing ample opportunities for personal and professional development in a fast-paced, AI-driven landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those who work at startups or in backend engineering. A friendly chat can lead to referrals, and we all know how much that can boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects or contributions to open-source, make sure to highlight them. We love seeing real-world applications of your expertise, especially when it comes to scaling systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on distributed systems and reliability concepts. We want to see that you can handle the challenges of scaling infrastructure, so practice explaining your thought process clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate engineers who thrive in fast-paced environments.
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with backend systems at scale. We want to see how you've tackled challenges in distributed systems and infrastructure design, so don't hold back!
Be Specific About Your Skills:Mention the technologies you’ve worked with, especially TypeScript, PostgreSQL, and any experience with Kubernetes. We love seeing candidates who are comfortable with our stack, so be specific about your skills and projects.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:We’re looking for engineers who thrive on challenges. In your application, share examples of how you've solved complex problems or improved system reliability. This will show us that you’re ready for the fast-paced environment we offer.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wave Talent
✨Know Your Distributed Systems
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with scaling infrastructure and how you've tackled challenges in high-concurrency environments. This role is all about handling massive loads, so show them you understand the intricacies involved.
✨Showcase Your AI Tooling Experience
Since the team heavily uses AI tooling, be prepared to talk about your experience with it. Highlight specific projects where you've implemented AI solutions or optimised workflows. This will demonstrate that you're not just familiar with the tech but have actively used it to solve real problems.
✨Emphasise Ownership and Independence
This role requires engineers to own large parts of the system with minimal direction. Share examples from your previous roles where you've taken initiative and led projects. They want to see that you can thrive in a fast-paced environment without needing constant guidance.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face some tough technical questions during the interview. Practice coding problems related to backend systems and be ready to explain your thought process. They might also throw in some scenario-based questions to assess how you'd handle real-world challenges, so think through those as well.
