Founding Principal Engineer - Workbench
Fulfillment IQ
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Fulfillment IQ in Toronto seeks a Founding Principal Engineer to lead the Workbench platform from 0 to 1. You will own core architecture, set technology direction, and write production code for an early team.
The role combines hands-on engineering with architectural stewardship, shaping scalable distributed systems, cloud infra, and data models while partnering with domain experts to encode warehouse design knowledge.
Qualifications
- 10+ years building cloud-native backend or platform systems.
- Proven 0-to-1 delivery: took a product or platform from nothing to production and owned the architecture calls yourself.
- Strong hands-on experience designing and building distributed systems.
- Ability to translate ambiguous business requirements into production-ready systems.
- Modern cloud infrastructure and deployment pipelines.
- Strong fundamentals across system design, performance, reliability, and maintainability.
- Comfort operating in high-ownership, low-process, early-stage environments.
- Proficiency in Python/FastAPI.
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end technical design and implementation of the Workbench platform.
- Make foundational decisions on architecture, data models, and technology.
- Build core services, APIs, and the automation workflows at the heart of the product.
- Establish development standards, CI/CD, and engineering practices for the team forming around you.
- Rapidly prototype and validate architectural decisions through real implementations.
- Work directly with domain experts to encode warehouse design knowledge into the platform.
- Identify architectural risks early and prevent technical debt accumulation.
- Serve as the primary technical owner through the platform's early lifecycle.
Skills
Tools
Job description
Job Title: Founding Principal Engineer - Workbench
Location: Toronto (Onsite/ Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time
Hiring Timeline: Immediate
Reporting Line: Head of R&D
Existing Vacancy: Yes
Application Deadline: Open until Filled
Salary Range: $175-$210k CAD per year (negotiable)
Fulfillment IQ is a supply chain engineering and transformation company that helps brands, retailers, and 3PLs design, build, and scale high-performance logistics operations.
We work at the intersection of strategy, operations, and technology where we solve complex, real-world problems across warehouse design, automation, order management, transportation, and end-to-end supply chain execution.
Our teams combine deep domain expertise with strong technical capability, delivering outcomes through consulting, systems implementation, and proprietary platforms that accelerate time-to-value and reduce delivery risk.
If you enjoy working in complex environments, partnering closely with clients, and seeing your work make a tangible impact on how global commerce moves, this is the place where your skills and judgment truly come to life.
Workbench is a new FIQ platform that automates complex warehouse design: turning real-world requirements, constraints, and operational data into designs that today demand weeks of expert manual work.
This is a 0-to-1 founding role. You will be the founding technical owner: designing the core architecture, making the foundational technology decisions, and writing the production code that the early team builds on. As the platform matures, the role evolves into long-term technical ownership and system stewardship. It blends deep engineering execution with architectural responsibility and product-level technical decision-making.
- 10+ years building cloud-native backend or platform systems
- Proven 0-to-1 delivery: took a product or platform from nothing to production and owned the architecture calls yourself
- Strong hands-on experience designing and building distributed systems
- Ability to translate ambiguous business requirements into production-ready systems
- Modern cloud infrastructure and deployment pipelines
- Strong fundamentals across system design, performance, reliability, and maintainability
- Comfort operating in high-ownership, low-process, early-stage environments
- Proficiency in Python/FastAPI
- Experience shipping AI/LLM-driven capabilities in production (requirement extraction, generation pipelines, agentic workflows)
- Workflow engines, orchestration systems, or DAG-based processing platforms
- Optimization, simulation, or computational design systems (layout, constraint solving)
- Supply chain, logistics, or warehouse operations domain
- Prior founding engineer or early platform team roles
- Python and TypeScript/Next.js on Azure; you will shape where the stack goes from here
- Own end-to-end technical design and implementation of the Workbench platform
- Make foundational decisions on architecture, data models, and technology
- Build core services, APIs, and the automation workflows at the heart of the product
- Establish development standards, CI/CD, and engineering practices for the team forming around you
- Rapidly prototype and validate architectural decisions through real implementations
- Work directly with domain experts to encode warehouse design knowledge into the platform
- Identify architectural risks early and prevent technical debt accumulation
- Serve as the primary technical owner through the platform's early lifecycle
- 30: Deep understanding of the product vision and design domain; initial architecture and standards established; foundational design documentation delivered
- 60: Core platform components or MVP foundation delivered; key architecture decisions validated through working production-grade code
- 90: Stable platform foundation ready for feature expansion; long-term technical roadmap presented; governance standards for future contributors in place
- Delivery of production-ready platform foundation
- Stability and reliability of core architecture
- Reduction of architectural rework and technical debt
- Engineering velocity enabled by foundational design
At Fulfillment IQ, we don't just build supply chain solutions. We build careers, friendships, and unforgettable experiences.
We believe in giving our senior technical leaders real ownership, real influence, and the opportunity to shape platforms that power real-world logistics operations.
Build systems that directly impact global commerce and supply chain performance.
We invest in mentorship, leadership development, learning budgets, and long-term career growth.
We support remote and hybrid work models by offering multiple office locations to help you perform at your best.
From team wins to work anniversaries, we recognize impact, celebrate milestones and reward performance.
Work alongside talented engineers, product leaders, and award-winning domain experts who value ownership, transparency, and high standards.
- Employee Health: Comprehensive health and dental coverage for you and your family
- Time Off: Competitive paid time off and flexible leave policies
- Retirement: Retirement savings programs and employer contributions
- Professional Growth: Dedicated learning and development budget
- Flexible Work: Remote and hybrid work options
- Perks: Equipment allowances, internet reimbursements, business travel coverage, and employee stock options (ESOP), where applicable.
- Community Engagement: Team events, meetups, and company offsites
Fulfillment IQ is a people-first company built in trust, collaboration, and ownership. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workplace.
FIQ uses artificial intelligence to assist in the screening, assessment, and shortlisting of applications for this position, including features within our applicant tracking system. AI supports human reviewers and does not make hiring decisions on its own. Final hiring decisions are made by FIQ personnel. If you have questions about how AI is used in this process, contact hr@fulfillmentiq.com.
FIQ is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Accommodations are available on request at any stage of recruitment and assessment. Contact hr@fulfillmentiq.com and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Your personal information is collected and used for recruitment purposes in accordance with FIQ's Candidate Privacy Notice. This includes the use of AI-assisted screening described above and storage that may occur in the United States. By applying, you acknowledge this notice. Questions: hr@fulfillmentiq.com.
Fulfillment IQ is a people-first company built on trust, collaboration, and ownership. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workplace.
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