Backend / Full-Stack Engineer (Backend Focused)

We are looking for a backend-focused engineer who cares deeply about the craft of software development to help drive the evolution of our mobile utility application. We prioritize curiosity, problem-solving, and architectural ownership over a specific number of years on a resume. Role Overview This is a high-impact role at a pivotal stage of our development. We have an existing backend and a native iOS client largely built, but we are looking for a technical partner to refine, expand, and potentially rewrite the backend where better paths exist. For the ambitious, there is a large scope of possible work and extensions; however, we have a well-scoped path toward launching our beta product in about 2 months. You’ll have an immediate influence on the system architecture and play a key role in fully realizing the product vision. What You Will Do • Expand and optimize scalable GraphQL APIs to support new native iOS features. • Integrate artificial intelligence tools for content and response moderation. • Implement and tune search infrastructure for fast, accurate data retrieval. • Collaborate tightly with the lead iOS developer to ensure efficient data sync before the beta launch. • Balance clean, maintainable architecture with the speed required for MVP launch. Our Tech Stack • Data Store: AWS Amplify / S3 • API Layer: GraphQL / AWS AppSync • Compute: AWS Lambda (Python / Typescript) • AI/LLM Layer: AWS Bedrock (for LLM orchestration and moderation) • Search Layer: AWS OpenSearch • Target Client: Native iOS (UIKit / SwiftUI written in modern, Swift 6) What We Look For • Craft Mindset: You care about clean code, robust architecture, and mobile API performance. • Pragmatic Architect: You can rapidly assess existing code and determine when to iterate versus when to rewrite. • Continuous Learner: You eagerly explore new technologies. • Mobile-Aware Backend Design: You understand mobile utility constraints like offline syncing, latency, and data footprints. • Founder Mentality: You are excited by the equity-only model and driven by long-term upside and true ownership. Job Details • Location: United States (Remote). • Compensation: Equity based on milestones. • Commitment: Part-time, but we want someone who will show up regularly rather than sprint for a hero session and then disappear for a month.