Founding Engineer – Product & Process
Summary
Build and automate tax-advisory workflows using n8n/Temporal, turning manual processes into scalable systems for a seed-stage startup.
About the Role
This is a founding-team engineering role at a seed-stage company building the operating system for Germany's tax advisory industry. The company acquires established, profitable tax firms and transforms them using an AI-powered automation platform — enabling tax professionals to focus on high-value client work rather than manual operational tasks.
As Founding Engineer – Product & Process, you will turn real-world tax advisory workflows into executable, scalable systems. You'll own the full journey from prototype to hardened production, directly shaping how work flows, where automation adds the most leverage, and how complex regulated processes scale across multiple firms. This is a high-ownership, high-ambiguity role with direct impact on the company's core product and growth.
What You'll Do
Analyze workflows across accounting, payroll, reporting, and client communication to surface bottlenecks, handovers, failure modes, and unnecessary manual work.
Rapidly design and build minimum effective prototypes (MEPs) and MVPs to automate and validate workflows.
Implement workflow systems using n8n, Temporal, or custom backend services.
Own the full transition from prototype to hardened, production-grade workflow system.
Collaborate closely with tax advisors and fellow engineers in tight, iterative feedback loops.
Make deliberate decisions about when UI matters — and when it's simply an implementation detail.
What We're Looking For
Must-Haves
5+ years building and shipping workflow automation or process automation systems in production.
Hands-on experience implementing workflow orchestration with n8n, Temporal, or equivalent tools.
Demonstrated experience working with tax, accounting, payroll, or professional services workflows.
Experience designing and building MEPs/MVPs to validate automation concepts.
Proven ability to transition workflow prototypes into hardened, production-grade systems.
Strong proficiency in backend development (custom services, APIs, backend logic for workflow systems).
Strong CS fundamentals: algorithms, data structures, system design.
Based in Berlin or willing to relocate — this is a fully on-site role.
Nice-to-Have
Experience building or working with UI systems with deliberately scoped UI decisions.
Experience collaborating directly with domain experts such as accountants, tax advisors, or professional services practitioners.
Product-minded thinking — comfortable shaping what gets built, not just how.
Traits That Thrive Here
Comfortable with end-to-end ownership and ambiguity in an early-stage environment.
Iterative prototyper who can move fast and harden quickly.
Curious about tax and accounting processes — willing to go deep in a regulated domain.
Collaborative with non-technical stakeholders; able to translate domain knowledge into engineered systems.
Location & Work Arrangement
Location: Berlin, Germany (on-site)
Remote policy: On-site only
Visa sponsorship: Not available — candidates must have existing right to work in Germany
Compensation & Benefits
Compensation details are not publicly listed for this role. You can expect a competitive early-stage package commensurate with a founding-team position, including meaningful equity participation. Details will be discussed during the interview process.