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Startup Backend Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fuku

Founding Backend Engineer

New York, NY

$160K - $200K/yr

Founding Backend Engineer Company Overview Client is a fast-growing social shopping platform co ... O nly worked at large tech companies (Meta, Google, etc.) with no startup experience. * F requent ...

HelloGov AI

Back-End Engineer

Miami, FL · On-site

We are looking for a talented Back-End Software Engineer to join our on-site engineering team in ... Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment. * Experience with Twilio services (Voice ...

Bedrock Data

Engineer, Backend

San Mateo, CA · On-site

... Startup: Work closely with other engineers, product management, marketing, and customers ... backend engineer, preferably in security-related domains. • Proficiency in backend cloud ...

HelloGov AI

Back-End Engineer

Miami, FL

We are looking for a talented Back-End Software Engineer to join our on-site engineering team in ... Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment. * Experience with Twilio services (Voice ...

HelloGov AI

Back-End Engineer

Miami, FL · On-site

We are looking for a talented Back-End Software Engineer to join our on-site engineering team in ... Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment. * Experience with Twilio services (Voice ...

Arena Club

Staff Backend Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$200K - $230K/yr

About the Role Join our fast-growing startup as a Staff Backend Engineer and help scale the backbone of our platform and expand into new product categories. We are a dynamic, high-growth company ...

Arena Club

Staff Backend Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$200K - $230K/yr

About the Role Join our fast-growing startup as a Staff Backend Engineer and help scale the backbone of our platform and expand into new product categories. We are a dynamic, high-growth company ...

Hired Recruiters

Backend Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Role Step is looking for a Backend Software Engineer. As part of the team you'll be at the ... Stock in an early-stage startup * Flexible WFH and vacation policy * Employee referral program

Arena Club

Staff Backend Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

About the Role Join our fast-growing startup as a Staff Backend Engineer and help scale the backbone of our platform and expand into new product categories. We are a dynamic, high-growth company ...

Made Card

Backend Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

... paced startup environment. What You'll Do * Feature Development: Build and maintain backend ... Partner with frontend engineers, product managers, and designers to deliver end-to-end features.

HeyGen

Backend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $220K/yr

Position Summary As a Backend Engineer at HeyGen, you'll be at the forefront of building the core ... Prior experience in a startup or fast-paced tech environment. What HeyGen Offers * Competitive ...

Grepr

Backend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Backend Engineer San Francisco, CA Being a Backend Engineer at a company smaller than 10 people is ... It would be great if they've been at an early stage startup before and understand the type of ...

Made Card

Backend Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

... paced startup environment. What You'll Do * Feature Development: Build and maintain backend ... Partner with frontend engineers, product managers, and designers to deliver end-to-end features.

RainesDev

Senior Backend Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Experience working in a small startup environment (Seed or Series A). * Understanding of data lake ... Engineering, or a related technical field. * Excitement about the mission and working at an early ...

Scribe

Senior Backend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $230K/yr

Based in San Francisco, we've been named a LinkedIn Top Startup, are valued at over $1 billion, and ... About the Role We're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join our Core Engineering Team, which ...

Casa, Inc

Senior Backend Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the role We're hiring a founding Senior Backend Engineer to help us design, develop, and ship ... You understand the stakes of a startup, focus on what matters most, and dedicate yourself to ...

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Showing results 41-60

All JobsStartup Backend Engineer Jobs

Startup Backend Engineer information

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$60.5K

$147.7K

$199K

How much do startup backend engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for startup backend engineer in the United States is $147,662.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $124,000.00 and $172,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by backend engineers in a startup environment?

Backend engineers in startups often face the challenge of balancing rapid feature development with maintaining system stability and scalability. Due to limited resources and fast-changing priorities, you may need to wear multiple hats, such as managing infrastructure, addressing technical debt, and ensuring security. Collaboration is typically close-knit, requiring frequent communication with frontend developers, product managers, and sometimes even customers. Adapting quickly to new technologies and evolving project requirements is key to thriving in this dynamic setting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a startup backend engineer?

To thrive as a Startup Backend Engineer, you need strong programming skills (commonly in Python, Node.js, or Java), a solid grasp of databases, and experience with scalable system design—often backed by a degree in computer science or equivalent experience. Familiarity with cloud platforms (like AWS or GCP), containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines is typically required. Adaptability, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for navigating the fast-paced, dynamic startup environment. These abilities are vital for rapidly building robust, scalable solutions that can evolve with the company's growth.

What does a startup backend engineer do?

A Startup Backend Engineer is responsible for building and maintaining the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power a startup's applications. They work closely with frontend developers and product teams to ensure the application is scalable, secure, and performs well. In a startup environment, backend engineers often handle a wide range of tasks, including designing system architecture, optimizing application performance, and quickly deploying new features. Their versatile skill set enables them to adapt as the company grows and technology needs change.
More about Startup Backend Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Startup Backend Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Startup Backend Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Startup Backend Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Startup Backend Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Startup Backend Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Startup Backend Engineer jobs are:
Startup Backend Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Startup Backend Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,662 per year, or $71 per hour.

Founding Backend Engineer

Fuku

New York, NY

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Founding Backend Engineer
Company Overview
Client is a fast-growing social shopping platform co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni. The platform currently serves over 350,000 users and boasts a 90% retention rate. Phia combines community, personalization, and AI-driven recommendations to revolutionize online shopping. Backed by early investors, Phia offers the opportunity to join a small, mission-driven founding team and help shape the future of social commerce.
Key Job Information

  • L
    • ocation: San Francisco or New York City (must relocate to NYC within a few months)
  • W
    • ork Type: In-person, full-time
  • E
    • xperience Required: 3+ years
  • S
    • alary Range: $160,000 - $200,000 per year
  • V
    • isa Sponsorship: H-1B, O-1, OPT
    Role Summary
    As the Founding Backend Engineer, you will own and scale Client's data infrastructure, which powers search, personalization, and recommendations. You will work closely with the CTO and ML engineers to design robust pipelines, architect backend systems, and establish best practices for backend engineering. This is a founding-level opportunity with significant product and technical ownership.
    Responsibilities
  • A
    • rchitect and implement backend systems for Client's recommendation engine and shopping experience.
  • D
    • esign and maintain data pipelines for ingesting and processing large-scale datasets from multiple sources.
  • B
    • uild reusable APIs and microservices for core product features.
  • I
    • ntegrate machine learning models into production in collaboration with the ML team.
  • E
    • nsure system reliability, scalability, and maintainability across the backend stack.
  • D
    • efine and enforce backend engineering standards and technical best practices.
    Requirements
  • M
    • inimum of 3+ years of backend engineering experience.
  • S
    • trong proficiency in Python and cloud platforms (AWS/GCP).
  • H
    • ands-on experience building data pipelines and microservices architectures.
  • F
    • amiliarity with Airflow, gRPC, GraphQL.
  • D
    • eep understanding of search and vector database technologies, including:
    - HNSW (Hierarchical Navigable Small World)
    - OpenSearch / Elasticsearch
    - Approximate Nearest Neighbor (ANN) frameworks
  • E
    • xcellent system design and problem-solving skills.
  • M
    • ust be willing to work in-person in New York City (relocation support provided).
    Benefits & Perks
  • C
    • ompetitive salary plus founding equity package.
  • C
    • omprehensive health, vision, and life insurance.
  • 4
    • 01(k) with company matching.
  • F
    • ree daily lunches, snacks, and late-night Ubers.
  • O
    • pportunity to work directly with founders and early team members, shaping product and technical direction.
    Interview Process
    1. Intro Chat with Head of Recruiting
    2. Technical Interview / Intro Chat
    3. Coding Interview
    4. CTO Interview
    5. Onsite Interview (technical + cultural)
    6. Offer Extended
    7. Hired
    Green Flags (Preferred Qualifications)
  • E
    • xperience at large tech companies (Meta, Google, Pinterest, etc.) and scrappy startups.
  • F
    • amiliarity with Ray, Dask, and Kubernetes.
  • B
    • ackground in machine learning or handling large datasets.
  • P
    • roven ability to establish technical best practices and standards.
  • P
    • assion for building reliable, high-performance systems that drive business impact.
    Red Flags (Disqualifiers)
  • O
    • nly worked at large tech companies (Meta, Google, etc.) with no startup experience.
  • F
    • requent job hopping (tenures less than 6 months).
  • P
    • rimarily management or non-hands-on engineering roles.
  • U
    • nwilling to relocate to New York City within a reasonable timeframe.
    Ideal Companies
    Apple, Meta, Amazon, Pinterest, Google, Robinhood, Ramp, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Spotify

    Fuku logo

    About Fuku

    Sourced by ZipRecruiter

    Industry

    Food services and drinking places

    Company size

    51 - 200 Employees

    Headquarters location

    New York, NY, US

    Year founded

    2015

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