Backend Architect - Ontology + Python + AI/ML - Afternoon
Summary
Design and build the ontology layer of an AI-native platform using Python, PostgreSQL, and GraphQL, leading a small team to create scalable, multi-tenant backend systems.
Backend Architect - Ontology + Python + AI/ML - Afternoon
Karachi Division, Sind (en), Pakistan
Apr 22, 2026
Company Overview
10Pearls is a global, purpose-driven AI-Native digital engineering partner helping businesses re-imagine, digitalize, and accelerate. As an end-to-end digital technology partner, 10Pearls helps businesses create future-proof, transformative digital products that leverage emerging technologies. 10Pearls' clients include Global 2000 enterprises, high growth mid-size businesses, and some of the most exciting start-ups from industries like healthcare, fintech, energy, education, real estate, retail, and hi-tech. Headquartered in the Washington DC metro area, 10Pearls has product engineering and software development centers in North America, Latin America, Europe, and South Asia. To learn more, visit https://10pearls.com .
Role
We are seeking a Backend Architect to lead the design and evolution of an next-generation AI-native platform (AIX), with a primary focus on the Ontology Layer (L3) — the semantic core of the system. This role requires strong architectural ownership and hands-on expertise in building scalable, secure, and multi-tenant backend systems. The ideal candidate will define data models, API contracts, and cross-layer communication patterns while collaborating closely with product, architecture, and engineering teams in an onsite environment in Islamabad.
Responsibilities
- Ontology backend architecture — design the multi-tenant PostgreSQL schema (object_types, link_types, object_properties, tool_catalog, action_proposals, audit_events) including Row-Level Security and indexing strategy
- GraphQL API surface — architect the Strawberry-GraphQL API for reads, mutations and subscriptions, and define resolver patterns for tenant isolation and authorisation
- Action Registry & governance — own the propose simulate approve execute state machine, blast-radius classification, dual-approval workflow, and SHA-256 binding hash for approval proofs
- Cross-layer contracts — define the contracts between L2 (data plane), L3 (ontology), L4 (agent runtime) and L5 (governance) — Kafka topic schemas, MCP Truth API, event formats
- Code ownership — write the reference implementation for at least one core module per quarter; review backend PRs; set coding, testing and observability standards
- Mentorship — technically lead a squad of 3–5 backend engineers, pair-program with juniors, run design reviews and architecture decision record (ADR) sessions
- Performance & reliability — set and defend SLOs for L3 services, drive load-testing and capacity planning
Requirements
- 5–8 years building production backend systems in Python (FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, AsyncIO) or equivalent
- Deep hands-on PostgreSQL: schema design, query optimisation, RLS, pgvector, migrations
- Strong API design skills — GraphQL (Strawberry, Apollo, Hasura) or REST at scale
- Experience with event-driven architectures using Kafka or equivalent (topic design, exactly-once semantics, consumer groups)
- Proven experience owning architecture for a multi-tenant SaaS or platform product
- Strong grasp of distributed-system fundamentals: consistency, idempotency, observability, failure modes
- Kubernetes-native development: containers, health probes, config-as-code, secret management
- Excellent written communication — ADRs, design docs, API specs
Nice to have
- Prior work on policy-as-code (OPA / Rego) or ABAC authorisation frameworks
- Experience with audit-chain / tamper-evident systems or regulated-industry compliance
- Exposure to LLM-powered agent platforms or tool-use systems
- Experience designing for air-gapped or on-premises deployment
- Contribution to an open-source backend framework or data-platform project
10Pearls is a global AI consultancy and digital technology partner that empowers businesses through transformative digital products and solutions across diverse industries.
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