At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build core backend features using Python and TypeScript.
- Company: Join a dynamic startup shaping innovative tech solutions.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Take ownership of projects and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 4 years of software engineering experience and proficiency in Python or TypeScript.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on experimentation and learning.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
This role is for one of the Weekday's clients. Min Experience: 4 years. Location: London. Job Type: full-time.
We are looking for a Founding Backend Engineer to help build and scale core product capabilities from the ground up. This role offers end-to-end ownership, close collaboration with customers, and the opportunity to shape foundational architecture while moving quickly in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, and ship core backend and platform features using Python, TypeScript, cloud infrastructure, and event-driven architectures.
- Own features end to end—from understanding customer needs and scoping solutions to delivery and iteration.
- Balance rapid experimentation with long-term scalability, knowing when to prototype quickly and when to engineer for durability.
- Establish and uphold best practices for testing, documentation, reliability, security, and performance.
- Work closely with product, customers, and early team members to deliver measurable outcomes.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Strong customer focus, building systems with real-world impact and user success in mind.
- Action-oriented mindset with a willingness to experiment, learn quickly, and iterate.
- High sense of ownership and accountability, driving outcomes rather than just tasks.
- Ambitious and curious, excited to explore new technologies, domains, and markets.
- Collaborative team player who contributes wherever needed and supports overall team success.
- Quality-driven engineer with a commitment to continuously improving systems and code.
Required Skills & Experience
- Solid software engineering fundamentals with the ability to design, debug, and scale reliable backend systems.
- Proficiency in Python or TypeScript, with the ability to quickly learn new technologies as required.
- Experience building and shipping AI-enabled products, whether in startups, side projects, or large-scale systems.
- Comfortable working across backend services, APIs, data pipelines, and cloud infrastructure.
- Ability to collaborate with stakeholders to define scope, manage trade-offs, and deliver solutions.
- Demonstrated initiative through independent projects, open-source contributions, or early-stage product development.
Founding backend Engineer employer: Weekday AI (YC W21)
Contact Detail:
Weekday AI (YC W21) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding backend Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Python or TypeScript. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to design and build systems that make a real-world impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. We recommend using platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to building something amazing from the ground up.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding backend Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Backend Engineering: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for backend engineering shine through! Share specific projects or experiences that highlight your skills in Python or TypeScript, and how you've tackled challenges in building scalable systems.
Tailor Your Application to Us: Make sure to customise your application to fit the role. Highlight your experience with cloud infrastructure and event-driven architectures, and explain how these align with our mission at StudySmarter. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background with what we do!
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills: We’re looking for someone who can balance rapid experimentation with long-term scalability. In your application, share examples of how you've approached problem-solving in past projects, especially when it comes to delivering measurable outcomes for users.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we appreciate detail, clarity is key! Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and keep your language straightforward. This will help us quickly grasp your qualifications and fit for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Weekday AI (YC W21)
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in Python and TypeScript, as these are key for the role. Brush up on your knowledge of cloud infrastructure and event-driven architectures, and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to understand customer needs and deliver effective solutions. Think about times when you balanced rapid experimentation with long-term scalability, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Demonstrate Ownership and Accountability
This role requires a high sense of ownership. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve taken charge of projects from start to finish, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Show that you drive outcomes, not just tasks.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
As a founding backend engineer, you'll need to work closely with various stakeholders. Share experiences where you collaborated effectively with product teams or customers, and how that led to successful project outcomes. Highlight your team player mentality!