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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable APIs for a data-driven wine investment platform.
- Company: Join WineFi, a dynamic startup revolutionising fine wine investing.
- Benefits: Freelance flexibility, potential long-term collaboration, and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a lean environment with direct impact on projects.
- Qualifications: 3+ years as a Backend/API Engineer with strong Python and SQL skills.
- Other info: Collaborate closely with the founding team and data scientists.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Remote (UK/EU preferred)
Type: Freelance Contract (Part-time ad-hoc, project-based, potential for long-term collaboration)
Hours: Work on your own schedule but must be available for 1 meeting per week during UK working hours.
About WineFi
WineFi is a data-driven platform for fine wine investing. We combine financial modelling, machine learning, and deep domain expertise to uncover undervalued wines and select assets that outperform the wider wine market. Our work bridges quantitative finance and alternative assets, helping investors make smarter decisions in an opaque market.
The Role
We’re seeking a freelance Backend / API Engineer to design and build production-grade APIs that expose our proprietary wine market data to our platform and external stakeholders. This role is ideal for someone with experience building clean, reliable, and well-structured APIs on top of complex data systems. Your first project will be to design and build a robust external-facing API layer that serves curated datasets from our internal databases. Over time, you may play a key role in improving how our data systems integrate with our platforms.
Requirements
- Proven experience as a Backend Engineer / API Engineer (3+ years), ideally in a startup or freelance environment.
- Strong Python programming skills (FastAPI, Flask, or similar frameworks).
- Experience building and maintaining production APIs used by external clients.
- Strong SQL skills, including query optimisation and schema understanding.
- Experience working with PostgreSQL.
- Familiarity with AWS (e.g. EC2, RDS, Lambda, API Gateway, etc.).
- Experience with API security (authentication, rate limiting, key management).
- Strong communicator, able to work independently and asynchronously.
Nice-to-have
- Familiarity with ETL pipelines and orchestration tools (Dagster, Airflow, Prefect).
- Experience with Motherduck, DuckDB, Dagster, dbt and Modal also beneficial.
- Exposure to financial, time-series, or alternative asset datasets.
Responsibilities
- Design and build scalable, production-grade REST APIs in Python.
- Structure endpoints for both internal platform use and external clients/partners.
- Implement authentication, rate limiting, and access control for external users.
- Build efficient data access layers on top of PostgreSQL and internal data models.
- Optimise query performance and API response times.
- Ensure high availability, logging, and monitoring of API services.
- Help define best practices for API structure, versioning, and maintainability.
- Contribute to the broader architecture connecting data pipelines, databases, and application layers.
Collaboration
Work closely with data scientists and the head of data to align API outputs with models and research. Support frontend/platform needs for seamless data consumption.
Why work with us?
- Freelance flexibility with potential for long-term collaboration -- we have lots to build!
- A lean, ambitious environment where your work has direct impact.
- The opportunity to build the core API layer of a data-driven investment platform.
- Work closely with the founding team across data science and engineering.
Unedited, AI-generated applications and messages are highly discouraged. Please start any message to us with 'original' and keep them under 100 words.
Backend Engineer (Freelance) employer: WineFi 🍷
Contact Detail:
WineFi 🍷 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Backend Engineer (Freelance)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech and finance sectors. Let them know you're on the lookout for freelance opportunities, especially in backend engineering. You never know who might have a lead or can refer you to someone at WineFi!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best API projects. Include links to GitHub repos or live demos. This will give us a clear idea of what you can bring to the table when you apply through our website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for that weekly meeting! Brush up on your communication skills and be ready to discuss your ideas and how they align with our goals at WineFi. Being proactive and engaged will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends! Follow blogs, podcasts, and forums related to backend development and wine investing. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show us your genuine interest in the field.
We think you need these skills to ace Backend Engineer (Freelance)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Original: Start your application with 'original' to show us you're serious about standing out. We love creativity, so let your personality shine through in your writing!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Backend Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Python and APIs, and how it aligns with what we're looking for at WineFi.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; give us examples of how you've used them in real projects. We want to see your problem-solving abilities and how you’ve tackled challenges in the past.
Keep It Concise: Stick to the point and keep your application under 100 words. We appreciate clarity and brevity, so make every word count while showcasing your expertise!
How to prepare for a job interview at WineFi 🍷
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python frameworks like FastAPI or Flask. Brush up on your SQL skills and be ready to discuss how you've optimised queries in past projects.
✨Showcase Your API Experience
Prepare examples of APIs you've built or maintained, focusing on their structure and performance. Be ready to explain how you implemented security measures like authentication and rate limiting, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with WineFi’s mission and how your role as a Backend Engineer fits into their goals. Being able to discuss how your work can impact fine wine investing will show that you’re not just technically skilled but also aligned with their vision.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since this is a freelance position, strong communication is key. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to collaborate with data scientists and other team members who may not have a technical background.