Lead Software Engineer - Python/React

Lead Product Engineer (Full Stack), Materia AI

This role is heavily backend focused (roughly 70% backend / 30% frontend).

We are specifically looking for engineers who have built and shipped real products end‑to‑end.

Strong preference for candidates with:

• Hands‑on ownership building production products from 0‑1
• Python backend depth (FastAPI/Django/APIs/microservices)
• Scalable distributed systems
• Product engineering mindset
• Customer‑facing feature ownership
• React/TypeScript capability to support full‑stack delivery
• Startup or greenfield experience
• Engineers who can independently design, build, and deliver systems in production

Frontend experience required, but this is not a frontend‑heavy/UI‑focused role.

About the Role

Lead Product Engineer on a backend‑leaning full‑stack team building customer‑facing product features.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain backend services powering generative AI products.
• Develop robust backend systems with Python, FastAPI, Pydantic, and cloud infrastructure.
• Own complex projects from ideation to launch and iteration.
• Contribute to front‑end development using Next.js, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS.
• Identify bottlenecks and optimize for speed, scalability, and responsiveness.
• Serve as a technical leader for backend‑driven projects, prioritize, scope, and set timelines.
• Contribute to technical design decisions across the stack.
• Set and enforce team‑wide frameworks, best practices, and code quality standards.
• Mentor junior and mid‑level engineers through code reviews and guidance.
• Lead by example in technical excellence, delivery accountability, and collaboration.
• Drive high standards for backend reliability, API design, and system performance.
• Apply product sensibilities to deliver polished, accessible, user‑centric experiences.
• Collect feedback from users and iterate accordingly.

Qualifications

• 7+ years building web applications at scale.
• Strong proficiency in Python and backend frameworks (FastAPI, Flask, or Django).
• Experience designing APIs and services that operate at scale.
• Comfortable contributing to front‑end development with React, Next.js, and TypeScript.
• Appreciation for good UI/UX and product design.
• Self‑driven with a proactive approach to problem‑solving and prioritization.
• Experience building new products or features from 0‑1 or from ideation to release.
• Excellent debugging skills and eye for performance optimization.
• Strong leadership and cross‑functional collaboration abilities.

Bonus Points

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Experience working in a startup or similar fast‑paced setting.
• Experience building AI‑native products, chatbot interfaces, or API‑driven platforms.
• Familiarity with large language models (LLMs), AI agent design, and/or prompt engineering.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure, event‑driven architectures, or observability tooling.
• Opinionated about testing methodologies, A/B testing, and safe rollouts.

Benefits

• Hybrid Work Model: flexible hybrid working environment.
• Flexibility & Work‑Life Balance: “Flex My Wayâ€￾ policies allowing remote work up to 8 weeks per year.
• Career Development and Growth: continuous learning programs and skill development.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: flexible vacation, mental health days, Headspace app, retirement savings, tuition reimbursement, incentive programs, and wellness resources.
• Culture: inclusive, flexible, supportive.
• Social Impact: two paid volunteer days off annually and ESG initiatives.
• Real‑World Impact: support justice, transparency, and rule of law through technology.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and are committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. Our hiring decisions are based on qualifications, including race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status, and we provide accommodations for applicants with disabilities.