Full Stack AI Engineer

Ascending; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock-based rewards

Hybrid work option

Relocation support to Amsterdam

Job summary

Ascending AI is seeking a senior Full-Stack Engineer to own and ship across the entire computing stack, from low-level systems to polished user interfaces. You will work directly with the founders and a lean product-tech team to build products that genuinely matter.

The role requires a senior generalist mindset, 5+ years of experience, and a track record of shipping in fast-paced environments. Amsterdam-based with hybrid options and relocation support is offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of software engineering experience across the full stack.
• Strong generalist with ability to specialize when needed.
• Fluent English required.
• Experience with distributed systems and cloud-native tooling (Docker, Kubernetes, AWS).

Responsibilities

• Own and ship across the entire computing stack from low-level systems to polished UIs.
• Collaborate directly with founders and a lean product-tech team to build impactful products.
• Thrive in a fast-moving environment with rapid iteration and shipping in production.

Skills

Full-stack versatility

English fluency

Product ownership

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

Vercel

Job description

We're looking for a builder who can own and ship across the entire stack, from low-level systems and backend plumbing to polished UIs and whatever wild thing we need next (mobile? embedded? lets go!). You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with our integrated product and tech teams to build something that actually changes how people live with AI.

If you're the kind of engineer who prototypes on weekends, ships MVPs that aren't perfect but work, and gets a rush from seeing your code in users' hands the next day, this is your playground. We only want top-tier people with an entrepreneurial streak who thrive when projects are on fire (in a good way) in a world that can shift overnight.

Why we exist

AI is everywhere, shaping how we live and work. We believe in AI that helps people stay in control of their choices, build real connections, and pursue long-term goals. Autonomy, relationships, and purpose are the foundations of a meaningful life and Ascending AI builds tools that strengthen all three.

We deeply believe in this mission and invested €5M of our own capital to stay initially independent and focused on what matters most.

What we’re building

Agents will be rapidly replacing apps on the consumer level. We are starting with building agents that allow users to use AI in a way that strengthens their choice and autonomy. We are also building more sophisticated tools that allow people to control the AI systems in their life. Along the way we are encountering lots of challenges, ranging from everything RAG and context engineering, dynamic model evaluation, agentic interaction, cyber and DevOps related.

Remuneration

The remuneration for this position is highly competitive.

The role

We're looking for a senior Full-Stack Engineer who can own and ship across the entire computing stack, from low-level systems to polished user interfaces. You'll work directly with the founders and a lean product-tech team to build products that genuinely matter.

We only consider top-tier candidates with an entrepreneurial mindset who thrive in demanding, fast-moving environments. If you're the kind of engineer who ships first and asks questions while iterating, this role is for you.

What we’re looking for

We're looking for a great generalist who can specialize when needed and doesn't find anything boring. Our current stack is Rust, Python, and TypeScript, but if the job requires building an iOS app from scratch tomorrow, that should excite you, not scare you.

• 5+ years of software engineering experience across the full stack
• Full-stack versatility: comfortable moving from low-level systems to frontend to mobile, across whatever the problem demands. Strong theoretical and practical foundations matter more than familiarity with any specific language.
• Outcome orientation: you care about shipping and delivery, not hours logged. You define success by what's working in production
• Startup adaptability: experienced in small teams with shifting priorities and rapid iteration cycles
• Product ownership mindset: you use and test your own code, identify UX friction, and fix it without being asked
• Analytical autonomy: ability to independently identify and define technical problems before jumping to solutions
• Continuous learning: demonstrated capacity to quickly master new technologies, languages, and frameworks as required
• Experience with distributed systems and cloud-native tooling such as Docker, Kubernetes, Vercel, and AWS
• Strong communication skills; able to collaborate with product, founders, and other engineers in a fast-paced environment
• Able to mentor junior engineers and contribute to architecture decisions
• Critical thinking, low ego, collaborative mindset, ready to roll up your sleeves
• Fluent English required

How we hire

We keep the process lean and respect your time:

• HR call (30 min)
• Technical interview with senior and founding engineers (45 to 50 min)
• Founder interview (45 to 60 min)
• Take-home assignment
• Assignment Presentation (60 min)

Why join us now?

You work directly with the founders and a small product-tech team to shape a company built to make AI serve humanity, not the other way around. We’re Amsterdam based but offer a hybrid option and relocation support to Amsterdam if applicable. In addition to the salary, there is the opportunity to participate in our success through stock based rewards. This is your chance to build fast, design with purpose, and leave a real mark on how humans and AI coexist.