Backend Developer

TODS Ventures; Aurora, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

TODS Ventures is building an Enterprise AI Governance Platform. You will be the sole Backend Developer on the founding team — the engineer who builds the entire server-side stack from the ground up.

The stack spans Python, Node.js, Java, and Rust, with deep integration with Anthropic and OpenAI APIs. We are open to both full-time and part-time arrangements for the right candidate, with UK/EU Remote or Hybrid work options.

Qualifications

• 3+ years building production APIs and data pipelines with Python.
• Experience with vector databases and embedding pipelines.
• Strong PostgreSQL experience with advanced queries and audit logging.
• Security: SAML 2.0, OIDC/OAuth 2.0, JWT, mTLS.
• Docker and CI/CD; basics of infrastructure-as-code.
• Familiarity with API gateway patterns and high-throughput proxy design.

Responsibilities

• Design a high-performance LLM gateway and proxy with multi-provider routing.
• Implement governance and decision engine with audit logging.
• Build security/data protection layer including DLP and content filtering.
• Develop vector-based knowledge retrieval with embedding/indexing.
• Create real-time observability and analytics pipeline.
• Implement async multi-party workflow with human review queues.
• Build enterprise connectivity via MCP to ERP/CRM/HR.
• Own AWS cloud infrastructure including EC2, RDS/Aurora, S3, API Gateway, CloudWatch, IAM.

Skills

Python

Vector databases

PostgreSQL

Authentication & security

Tools

pgvector

Pinecone

Weaviate

Docker

CI/CD

Job description

About the Project

TODS Ventures is developing a highly ambitious Enterprise AI Governance Platform — a research-led project at the intersection of artificial intelligence, mathematics, law, ethics, and enterprise technology. The platform sits as a managed gateway between corporate users and external AI providers, applying rigorous, multi-dimensional governance to every AI interaction at scale. The project combines original academic research with practical software engineering, and is preparing for peer-reviewed publication alongside a commercial product launch. This is an early‑stage, high‑calibre founding team engagement.

The Role

You will be the sole Backend Developer on the founding team — the engineer who builds the entire server‑side stack from the ground up. The platform is technically sophisticated: it sits as a high‑performance AI gateway, applies complex multi-dimensional governance logic in real time, maintains an immutable audit trail, manages knowledge retrieval from a vector‑based repository, and supports async human review workflows.

The stack spans Python, Node.js, Java, and Rust, with deep integration with Anthropic and OpenAI APIs throughout. You will work directly with the CEO/CTO and collaborate with the Frontend Developer on API contracts. We are open to both full‑time and part‑time arrangements for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and build a high‑performance LLM gateway and proxy — intercepting, routing, and governing AI requests across multiple providers (Anthropic, OpenAI, Azure, Google) with minimal latency overhead.
• Implement a governance and decision engine — applying complex multi‑dimensional rules and policies to AI interactions, producing structured outcomes with full audit logging.
• Build a security and data protection layer — data loss prevention, content filtering, prompt injection defence, and cryptographic non‑repudiation.
• Develop a vector‑based knowledge retrieval system — embedding, indexing, and querying structured governance content using modern vector database technologies.
• Build a real‑time observability and analytics pipeline — statistical monitoring, drift detection, and composite scoring across large volumes of AI interactions.
• Implement an async multi‑party workflow engine — managing human review queues, structured deliberation, quorum logic, and tamper‑evident case records.
• Build enterprise connectivity integrations via MCP — connecting the platform to CRM, ERP, HR, and other enterprise systems.
• Own AWS cloud infrastructure — EC2, RDS/Aurora, S3, API Gateway, CloudFront, CloudWatch, IAM.

Required Skills & Experience

• Python (FastAPI or equivalent) — 3+ years building production APIs and data pipelines.
• Vector databases — pgvector, Pinecone, Weaviate, or equivalent; embedding pipelines.
• PostgreSQL — advanced query design, indexing, migrations, audit logging patterns.
• Authentication & security — SAML 2.0, OIDC / OAuth 2.0, JWT, mTLS.
• Docker, CI/CD (GitHub Actions), infrastructure‑as‑code basics.
• Strong understanding of API gateway patterns and high‑throughput proxy design.

Desirable / Nice to Have

• Java — enterprise integration patterns, Spring Boot or Micronaut.
• Rust — systems‑level performance work, cryptographic operations.
• Knowledge graph design and graph embedding models.
• MCP (Model Context Protocol) — building or consuming MCP servers.
• Statistical methods, linear algebra, or applied mathematics background.
• Comfort reading and translating academic research papers into implementation.
• DLP, data redaction, or content classification system experience.
• Familiarity with GDPR, EU AI Act, or financial services regulatory requirements.

Type Outside IR35 Contract

Duration 1 Jul 2026 – 31 Mar 2027

Commitment Full-time or Part-time

Location UK or EU · Remote / Hybrid

Rate To be negotiated

IR35 Note: This engagement is expected to fall outside IR35. An independent IR35 status assessment will be required before work commences. Applicants should operate via their own limited company.