Founding Senior Backend Engineer (Node.js, AI-Native)

Hiring for a Client - wealthQ

We are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer with strong Node.js expertise to join the founding technology team of an early-stage consumer product startup. You will own backend engineering end-to-end, from architecture and greenfield development to production reliability and engineering standards.

What You'll Do

• Design and build production-grade Node.js services and REST APIs from the ground up.
• Own backend architecture, including service boundaries, data flow, caching, queueing, failure handling, scalability, and reliability.
• Make architecture decisions for greenfield systems while balancing performance, reliability, and engineering constraints.
• Build and integrate APIs with third-party platforms and external systems.
• Design efficient data models and optimize SQL/NoSQL databases, queries, and application performance.
• Develop and ship LLM-powered and agentic product features for end users.
• Use LLMs and agentic development tools across the software development lifecycle, including design, coding, testing, debugging, and documentation.
• Diagnose production issues and take ownership of system reliability and performance.
• Establish engineering standards, best practices, and scalable development processes.

Requirements

Mandatory Requirements

• 6+ years of hands-on Backend Engineering experience with strong production experience in Node.js.
• Experience building backend systems for B2C products at meaningful consumer scale.
• Proven ownership of end-to-end backend architecture, including greenfield systems.
• Strong understanding of API development, service-oriented architecture, data structures, algorithms, and clean coding practices.
• Experience designing, developing, and maintaining APIs and backend services, including third-party integrations.
• Strong experience with SQL and/or NoSQL databases, data modeling, query optimization, and performance tuning.
• Experience in B2C product companies/startups, preferably in WealthTech, FinTech, or high-growth consumer technology.
• Proven experience building and shipping LLM-powered products and agentic workflows for end users.
• Stable career history with consistent tenures across organizations.
• Comfortable working in an early-stage, fast-paced startup with evolving priorities.
• Willingness to work from office 6 days a week and take complete ownership of backend engineering.
• Comfortable with a compensation structure where the company matches current CTC and provides ESOPs, without a salary hike.
• Candidates currently working at Stable Money will not be considered.

Preferred

• Strongly AI-native engineering workflow, using LLMs and agentic tools across the SDLC.
• Engineering degree from a Tier-1 engineering college.
• Previous experience as a Founding Engineer or early-stage technology team member.