Job Url: https://wellfound.com/jobs/3746914-staff-backend-engineer-python-ai-first-architecture-execution

Job Description: Staff Backend Engineer (Python, AI-First, Architecture & Execution)
$80k – $120k • No equity
|
Remote (
Everywhere
)
 • 
Raleigh
|8 years of exp
|Full Time
Posted: yesterday• Recruiter recently active
Job Location
Raleigh
Remote Work Policy
Onsite or remote

Hires remotely in
Everywhere
Visa Sponsorship
Not Available

Preferred Timezones
Pacific Time, Mountain Time, Central Time, Eastern Time, Atlantic Time, Greenland
Collaboration Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
Relocation
Not Allowed
Skills
Python
PostgreSQL
GraphQL
FastAPI
About the job
ABOUT FLOW

Flow is building the operational backbone for the industrial supply chain — manufacturers, sales rep firms, and distributors. Our platform replaces slow, manual workflows (CRM, orders, commissions, product data, reporting) with an AI-first, automation-driven system that actually reflects how this industry works.

We move fast
We ship daily
We expect engineers to think, not just code
ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a Staff level Python Backend Engineer to help build and scale our core backend systems, including CRM, AI-driven document ingestion, and data-heavy operational services.

This is a hands-on, senior role with real architectural ownership. You will work in a production codebase that values correctness, maintainability, and performance. You will be trusted to design systems, not just implement tickets.

Our entire backend infrastructure is built on python, we're looking for someone who is DEEP into the python ecosystem and excited about where the language is going.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Build and maintain async-first Python services in production
Design and implement GraphQL APIs and supporting service layers
Own backend systems powering CRM workflows and AI document processing
Write clean, well-typed, maintainable Python code
Apply strong architectural patterns consistently across the codebase
Collaborate directly with frontend, AI, and product leadership
Ship improvements continuously without introducing technical debt
AI-FIRST AND AGENTIC CODING EXPECTATIONS (REQUIRED)

This role requires active, real-world use of AI-assisted development.

You must:

Use agentic coding methods as part of your daily workflow

Break work into clear specs and delegate subtasks to AI tools

Use AI to accelerate development without sacrificing correctness

Stay current on AI coding tools, backend patterns, and LLM capabilities

Know how to combine strong typing with structured LLM outputs

We are not looking for someone who is AI-curious

We are looking for someone already working this way

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience Level

5+ years of professional software development experience
3+ years of Python in production environments
2+ years working with async Python (asyncio, async/await)
Python Expertise

Python 3.11+ (ideally 3.13)
Strong use of modern type hints
Deep understanding of async I/O patterns
Experience with FastAPI or similar async frameworks
Pydantic for data validation and settings management
Database and ORM

PostgreSQL with advanced features (schemas, JSONB, arrays)
SQLAlchemy 2.0 async ORM (declarative style)
Alembic migrations
Experience with multi-tenant database designs
API Development

GraphQL experience (Strawberry preferred)
Queries, mutations, and subscriptions
REST API design where appropriate
API versioning and backward compatibility
Architecture and Design Patterns

Clean, layered architecture
Repository pattern for data access
Dependency injection (aioinject or similar)
Service layer for business logic
Strategy pattern for polymorphic behavior
Strong application of SOLID principles
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

AI and ML Experience

LLM integrations (OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, Groq)
Structured AI frameworks such as pydantic-ai
Vector databases (Qdrant, Pinecone, Weaviate)
Embeddings and semantic search
AI agents with tool registration and structured outputs
Infrastructure and DevOps

Docker and containerized services
Kubernetes deployments
Redis for caching and queues
TaskIQ or Celery for background jobs
CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions)
Additional Technical Skills

Modal or similar serverless compute platforms
S3-compatible object storage
Datadog or similar observability tooling
Document processing (PDF, DOCX, OCR)
Data processing with Polars or Pandas
CODING STANDARDS WE FOLLOW

Async-first: all I/O is async
No global state
Dependency injection everywhere
Repository pattern for data access
Service layer for business logic
Small, focused files
Strong typing and explicit boundaries
SOFT SKILLS

Strong problem-solving ability
Clear written and verbal communication
Self-directed and comfortable with ownership
Comfortable with ambiguity and evolving requirements
High standards for code quality
Curiosity and desire to keep learning
INTERVIEW PROCESS

Technical screen: Python fundamentals, async patterns, system design
Coding exercise: Build a small GraphQL API using repository and service layers
Architecture discussion: Design decisions and tradeoffs
Team fit: Collaboration style and ownership mindset
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Senior Python engineer with deep async experience
Strong typing discipline and architecture instincts
Uses AI as a force multiplier, not a crutch
Ships fast without leaving messes behind
If you’re excited about building serious, AI-powered enterprise systems in modern Python, we’d love to hear from you