Founding Engineer (AI Startup) (0BE438C)

Some engineers enjoy writing code. Others can't stop building. If you've been programming since you were a teenager, spend your evenings experimenting with new technology, and get genuine satisfaction from shipping products, this role was written for you. Referment is partnering with a venture-backed AI startup looking for one exceptional engineer to help build the next generation of AI-powered cybersecurity products. You'll work directly with the founders and own features from customer problem through to production. You'll enjoy this role if you... * Love building more than talking about building * Prefer shipping software over writing documentation * Can move between backend, frontend and infrastructure without thinking twice * Get excited by hard engineering challenges like building compilers, DSLs, or internal developer tools * Use AI every day, but don't rely on it to think for you * Enjoy solving messy customer problems instead of perfectly defined tickets What You'll Be Building Rather than owning a small corner of a huge codebase, you'll own products end-to-end * You'll design complex backend architecture and systems. * Ship React interfaces. * Build internal developer tools and agentic consoles. * Improve databases and handle systems programming. * Debug production and deploy continuously. * Help shape both the product and the engineering culture. What We're Looking For * Deep technical focus on hard engineering and complex backend architecture * Strong Python backend fundamentals with high-level application of tools like FastAPI, Django, or Flask * Senior-level technical sophistication and the ability to move beyond routine maintenance tasks * Verifiable track record of technical contributions and honest project claims (e.g. active GitHub or OSS presence) * React experience or willingness to work across the frontend * Startup mentality with genuine product ownership * Around 3-6 years' experience with a focus on engineering depth Extra points for experience with: * Founding or leadership roles (e.g. Co-Founder or CTO) * Building internal developer tools, DSLs, or compilers * Multi-language proficiency (e.g. Go, C, or Rust) * Cybersecurity * Workflow orchestration (Prefect, Airflow) * High-growth SaaS This probably isn't for you if... * Your focus is primarily on product management or innovation titles rather than hands-on engineering * You consider routine infrastructure maintenance to be your core focus area * You need detailed specs before starting work * You only enjoy one part of the stack * You avoid production responsibility * You're looking for a comfortable corporate engineering role * You're currently splitting your attention with another startup Why join? * Competitive salary * Meaningful equity * One of the first engineering hires * Direct access to the founders * Huge ownership from day one * Build products that customers actually use #Referment