Software Engineer (m/f/d) Backend & Applied AI Systems

About This Opportunity

We are representing a confidential edtech startup preparing to launch an immersive VR training platform. This is a unique founding-team opportunity for a backend and applied AI engineer who wants to build a product's technical foundation from the ground up.

Important: This is not a traditional employment position. You would join as part of a prospective founding team applying for the EXIST Business Start-up Grant in Germany. The commitment begins only if the grant is approved, providing a 12-month full-time scholarship while the team develops the product and business model.

Responsibilities

• Own the backend and applied AI architecture connecting the Unity VR client with authentication, databases, speech services, and LLM/RAG pipelines
• Design secure REST and WebSocket APIs and define reliable client-server contracts with the VR development team
• Implement authentication, authorisation, role management, and GDPR-conscious data flows
• Design and maintain data models for users, sessions, learning progress, and application data
• Integrate and orchestrate LLM, RAG, Speech-to-Text, and Text-to-Speech services
• Develop dialogue-state logic and systems for retrieving institution-specific knowledge
• Optimise AI pipelines for latency, reliability, observability, and cost
• Support secure, scalable cloud deployment and prepare the platform for institutional pilots

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
• At least 2 years of hands-on backend development experience
• Strong Python skills and experience with FastAPI, Django, or comparable framework
• Experience building REST and/or WebSocket services and working with databases such as PostgreSQL
• Solid understanding of authentication, authorisation, API security, and scalable backend design
• Practical experience integrating LLM APIs and/or RAG systems into real applications
• Comfort designing systems for real-time or interactive clients
• English proficiency at B1 level or higher
• Based in Germany or willing to relocate; available for full-time commitment if grant is approved

Preferred:

• Experience with vector databases, embeddings, and production RAG pipelines
• Experience integrating Speech-to-Text and Text-to-Speech services
• Docker and cloud deployment experience (AWS, Azure, GCP, Hetzner, or similar)
• Knowledge of GDPR and privacy-by-design principles
• Experience with C#/.NET, Unity integrations, VR/XR, or other real-time interactive applications

How We Work With You

Candidates apply through Get A Job.ai. Our talent team will conduct an initial screening to assess technical fit and interest in the founding-team structure. Qualified candidates will then be introduced to our client for further discussion regarding the EXIST application process and team fit. Individual eligibility depends on current EXIST programme rules, which will be reviewed with shortlisted candidates.

Please do not contact our client directly. All applications and enquiries must come through Get A Job.ai to be considered.

Compensation Structure

Location: Jena, Germany

Type: Full-time founding-team position, contingent on EXIST grant approval

If the EXIST application is approved, the programme provides a 12-month monthly scholarship: €3,000 for doctorate holders, €2,500 for university graduates, €2,000 for team members with vocational qualifications, or €1,000 for students, plus €150 per child. The project may also receive up to €30,000 in material funding and €5,000 for coaching.

Following the funding phase, there may be an opportunity to discuss a long-term co-founder or CTO role with equity, subject to mutual fit and separate agreement.

Get A Job.ai is an equal opportunity recruiter. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.