Backend Engineer

Clerkie; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) + retirement benefits

Paid time off + annual company retreat

Company laptop + home office stipend

Collaborative, values-driven culture

Job summary

Flourish Ventures is seeking a Backend Engineer to contribute to critical backend systems at Clerkie, a fintech startup. This remote-first role requires expertise in backend architecture and the ability to own projects fully, ensuring system reliability and performance.

Ideal candidates should have strong JavaScript/Node.js skills, communicate effectively across teams, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. The position offers a competitive salary of $120-150k along with equity and benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience with databases, preferably NoSQL.
• Ability to own projects end-to-end.
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain backend services.
• Contribute to system reliability and performance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally for user experience.

Skills

Proficiency in JavaScript / Node.js

Experience building backend systems in production

Strong communication skills

Strong fundamentals in system design

Tools

MongoDB

AWS (EC2, S3)

Job description

About Clerkie

Clerkie is a fintech startup on a mission to democratize financial wellness using the power of artificial intelligence. Launched in 2018, Clerkie began with an app, aiming to help the nearly 123 million underserved Americans in need of financial guidance. Since its inception, the company has expanded its services and now pairs consumer guidance with cutting‑edge B2B software. By pairing the two through the Clerkie network, these tools have become the go‑to resource for creditors looking to manage loan losses while simultaneously helping millions of borrowers get out of debt. Clerkie is a remote‑first company, with over 40 employees spanning 4 time zones across the United States. To date, the company has raised $41 million, including a $33 million Series A round in early 2023. Investors include leading financial and venture institutions such as Citi Ventures, Left Lane Capital, Wellington Ventures, Flourish Ventures, and Vestigo Ventures.

About the role

We're looking for a Backend Engineer who wants to build and own critical systems in a fast‑moving environment. This role is ideal for someone with strong backend fundamentals who is ready to take on meaningful ownership. You'll work on systems that power Clerkie's platform and support both internal and external product experiences. At Clerkie, engineers operate with a high degree of ownership and autonomy. You'll collaborate across functions, contribute to technical decisions, and help ensure the platform remains reliable as we grow. Because we're still early, this role goes beyond implementation—you'll play a role in shaping how we build and evolve our systems over time.

Here's what you'll do

• Design, build, and maintain backend services
• Contribute to system reliability, performance, and scalability
• Participate in technical design discussions and decision‑making
• Support feature development across the platform
• Improve visibility into system health and performance
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to deliver a seamless user experience
• Contribute to internal engineering practices and documentation

Must‑haves

• Experience building and shipping backend systems in production
• Strong fundamentals in system design and backend architecture
• Proficiency in JavaScript / Node.js (or similar backend languages)
• Experience working with databases (NoSQL preferred, e.g., MongoDB)
• Ability to own projects end‑to‑end and operate independently
• Strong communication skills across technical and non‑technical teams
• Comfort working in a fast‑moving, evolving startup environment

Nice‑to‑haves (but not required)

• Experience working on backend or server‑side
• Experience with AWS (EC2, S3, etc.) or cloud infrastructure
• Experience with distributed systems or data‑heavy applications
• Familiarity with fintech, financial services, or regulated industries
• Background in engineering, computer science, analytics, or another technical field
• Experience working in early‑stage startups or high‑growth environments
• Curiosity about financial wellness and technology that improves people’s lives

What we value

• Strong ownership mindset - you take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks
• Bias for action - you move quickly and make thoughtful decisions
• Customer‑first thinking - you care about the real‑world impact of what you build
• Resilience and adaptability - you can navigate ambiguity and evolving priorities
• Desire to build something meaningful and long‑lasting

Our salary & benefits

• Salary range: $120-150k
• Equity
• Remote‑first role (US only)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) + retirement benefits
• Paid time off + annual company retreat
• Company laptop + home office stipend
• Collaborative, values‑driven culture