Founding Engineer (Python / Next.js)

As Founding Engineer, you will be the company's technical co-pilot — a full-stack role spanning front-end, back-end, and architecture. You'll start by auditing the product work already underway, then take ownership of it end to end: deciding how it's built, how it scales, and how the engineering team operates as it grows.

Responsibilities

Audit, improve, and take full ownership of the product's existing codebase and architecture; Build and ship features end-to-end using Python, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Alembic, WebSockets, and Next.js; Design and evolve the database schema, writing and maintaining Alembic migrations alongside SQLAlchemy models; Build and maintain real-time features using WebSockets; Own infrastructure and deployment workflows on Railway, ensuring the platform remains reliable and scalable; Write and maintain unit and integration tests to ensure the reliability and long-term maintainability of the product; Work hand-in-hand with the founder daily, translating vision into shipped product; Set technical direction and engineering best practices as the team's first engineer; Collaborate with and mentor other developers as the engineering team grows

Requirements

5–6 years of full-stack software engineering experience, with strong system architecture knowledge across front-end and back-end; Strong professional experience with Python, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Alembic, WebSockets, and modern React frameworks such as Next.js; Strong SQL skills and hands-on experience designing, querying, and optimizing PostgreSQL databases; Experience designing relational databases and managing schema changes through Alembic migrations; Experience building or maintaining real-time applications using WebSockets; Proven experience writing and maintaining unit and integration tests, with a focus on building reliable, well-tested software; Experience deploying and operating applications in cloud environments; Founder mindset — someone who challenges ideas, proposes better solutions, and takes ownership rather than simply executing tickets; Experience building products from 0 to 1 in startup environments, comfortable moving quickly and wearing multiple hats; Organized, proactive, and highly logical communicator; Strong written and verbal English for daily collaboration with the founder

Nice to have

Experience with Railway; Basic knowledge of AI/LLM technologies (e.g., OpenAI APIs, prompt engineering, retrieval, or AI-powered product features); Personal projects or side builds that show initiative and range; Regular use of AI tools in day-to-day engineering work

Benefits

Equity grant; Access to Sierra Studio's talent network; Continuous learning; Community of engineers