Senior Backend Engineer, Python/Django (f/d/m): Path to CTO

About This Opportunity

We are representing a mission-driven software startup in Berlin that is building technology to advance social sustainability and workplace equity. Our client is looking for a Senior Backend Engineer who wants to own technical architecture and grow into a CTO role.

This is a rare opportunity to join at a foundational stage where you'll have direct influence over technical direction, team culture, and product development. You'll work closely with founders and a small, passionate team to build scalable infrastructure that supports meaningful social impact.

Responsibilities

• Own backend architecture, code quality, scalability and maintainability using Python and Django
• Design and evolve REST APIs and integrate external systems
• Build authentication and SSO implementations (OAuth2, OpenID Connect, SAML)
• Design and implement asynchronous processing and background job systems
• Optimize system performance through profiling, query optimization, and caching strategies
• Establish strong testing culture with automated unit, integration, and end-to-end tests
• Conduct code reviews and establish shared engineering standards
• Mentor junior developers and support their professional growth
• Shape deployment, release processes, and CI/CD pipelines
• Manage cloud infrastructure on AWS, containerized with Docker and Infrastructure as Code
• Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting systems
• Maintain technical documentation covering architecture, APIs, and operational runbooks
• Ensure security and GDPR compliance throughout the technical stack
• Collaborate with product, design, and leadership on technical roadmap decisions

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Experience as a tech lead or in a first leadership role
• Several years of backend development experience with Python and Django
• Strong PostgreSQL skills including data modeling, performance tuning, and migrations
• Experience designing and building REST APIs (e.g., Django REST Framework)
• Hands-on experience with authentication/SSO and external system integrations
• Experience with asynchronous task processing
• Proven track record improving performance and scaling systems under growing load
• Solid testing practices (e.g., pytest) and commitment to well-tested code
• Confidence with Linux, deployment, and cloud infrastructure, especially AWS (including S3), nginx, and Gunicorn
• Experience with Docker and Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform)
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI)
• Experience with monitoring and observability tools
• Strong understanding of SaaS architecture, security, and data protection
• Commitment to clear documentation as part of development workflow
• Experience with code reviews and genuine interest in mentoring others
• Strong communication skills: ability to explain technical trade-offs to non-technical stakeholders
• Startup mindset: pragmatic, ownership-oriented, comfortable with ambiguity and changing priorities
• Drive to grow into a leadership role
• Fluent English and/or German

Nice to Have:

• Previous startup experience
• Experience with compliance frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2)

Even if you don't match every requirement perfectly, we encourage you to apply!

What's On Offer

• Clear path to CTO with real ownership of technical direction
• Small, motivated team with fast decision-making
• Purpose-driven work with direct social impact
• Flexible work hours with partial remote work options
• Direct collaboration with founding team
• Real responsibility from day one where your work directly shapes the product
• Berlin location with 35-40 hours per week
• Benefits including Deutschlandticket and team amenities

How We Work With You

When you apply through Get A Job.ai, our talent team will review your application and conduct an initial screening. If there's a good match, we'll coordinate interviews with our client, which typically include a technical task and conversations with the team and founders. We'll guide you through each stage and provide feedback along the way. Please apply only through Get A Job.ai—do not contact the client directly.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process based on your experience and the client's budget.

Equal Opportunity: Get A Job.ai is committed to inclusive hiring practices. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.