Founding Engineer/Hands-on CTO (Python, startup, remote)

About Company/Product:

• pre-seed startup backed by a New York-based fund with the mission to revolutionize primary data collection in emerging markets.
• no-code platform connects researchers with anonymous respondents, enabling fast and efficient data-driven research
• 1000+ customers representing 58% of the world’s top-100 research hubs

About the Role:

We are looking for a Founding Engineer to play a pivotal role in shaping a technical foundation and scaling this product. You'll be a hands-on CTO from the start, leading the small focused dev team while also delivering on your own to drive the evolution of an MVP into a robust, user-centric platform.

What You’ll Do

• Own the backend architecture – optimize, and scale our systems for high-volume data processing.
• Drive product development – rebuild the backend architecture, shipping product features and flows, fixing bugs, and removing technical debt while balancing speed and scalability.
• Audit and improve – assess the current tech stack, identify bottlenecks, and propose strategic upgrades.
• Build for reliability – design systems that handle complex marketplace dynamics, payments, and data flows.
• Work with customers – gather feedback and prioritize features that solve real research challenges.
• Shape the stack – recommend and implement improvements to our current setup

We expect that you have:

• 5+ years in backend or full-stack development.
• Strong expertise in scaling data-heavy applications (marketplace/fintech experience is a plus).
• Deep knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, DigitalOcean) and database optimization.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, make high-stakes decisions, and execute with minimal oversight.
• Startup mindset – you thrive in fast-paced environments and embrace iterative development.
• Bonus: Experience with KYC, payments, or anti-fraud systems.

Tech Stack: Python, FastAPI, DigitalOcean, Bubble.io, PostgreSQL, n8n.io

What we offer:

• Competitive salary + equity.
• Fully remote work with flexible hours.
• Relocation support/digital nomad visa assistance if needed.
• Autonomy and ownership – you’ll shape the tech foundation of a fast-growing startup.
• Close work with the founding team