Founding Engineer (Python / AI / Data Platform)

Jahnel Group; Latham (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Jahnel Group is looking for a Founding Engineer in New York to build core data and AI infrastructure for healthcare policy information. The role involves designing backend systems, scaling data pipelines, and working directly with founders.

The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience, proficiency in Python and SQL, and hands-on experience with AI/LLM systems. This position offers significant autonomy and ownership of core systems.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience building backend or data-heavy systems.
• Strong proficiency with Python, SQL, and Postgres.
• Experience building data pipelines and data-driven software systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and build core backend systems using Python and SQL.
• Build and scale data ingestion pipelines for unstructured healthcare policy data.
• Define and evolve data models, schemas, and APIs for long-term platform scalability.

Skills

Backend development

Data systems

Python

SQL

AI/LLM systems

System design

Cloud infrastructure (AWS)

Data pipelines

Tools

Postgres

FastAPI

Terraform

Job description

Jahnel Group’s mission is to provide the absolute best environment for software creators to pursue their passion by connecting them with great clients doing meaningful work.

Who We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a Founding Engineer to help build the core data and AI infrastructure powering how healthcare policy information is structured, queried, and used in production systems.

This is a high-ownership role in an early-stage environment where you will work directly with founders, define core architecture decisions, and build systems from the ground up. You’ll be responsible for turning complex, unstructured healthcare data into reliable, AI-powered infrastructure that scales.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys building end-to-end systems, and is excited about applying modern AI/LLM techniques to real-world data problems.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design and build core backend systems using Python and SQL
• Build and scale data ingestion pipelines for unstructured healthcare policy data
• Define and evolve data models, schemas, and APIs for long-term platform scalability
• Build AI-powered pipelines using LLMs, embeddings, and RAG architectures
• Develop evaluation frameworks for LLM systems (testing, benchmarking, monitoring, QA workflows)
• Improve data quality, traceability, and system reliability across the platform
• Rapidly prototype and productionize new ideas in close collaboration with founders
• Build systems for auditability, explainability, and validation of AI-generated outputs
• Continuously iterate on architecture, performance, and product direction

Some Must Haves

• 5+ years of experience building backend or data-heavy systems
• Strong proficiency with Python, SQL, and Postgres
• Experience building data pipelines and data-driven software systems
• Hands‑on experience with AI/LLM systems (RAG, embeddings, prompt engineering, evals, hallucination mitigation)
• Strong system design and architecture skills
• Experience working with cloud infrastructure (AWS preferred)
• Strong product mindset and ability to make tradeoffs between technical and business value
• Comfort working in highly ambiguous, fast‑paced environments
• Proven ability to own projects end-to-end without heavy direction

Nice to Have

• Experience in healthcare, payer/provider, or health tech domains
• Startup or early‑stage founding team experience
• Experience with FastAPI or similar backend frameworks
• Familiarity with modern data warehouses (e.g., Snowflake)
• Exposure to TypeScript/React frontend development
• Experience with Terraform or infrastructure‑as‑code
• Experience with containerized systems and orchestration

Where We’re Looking For It

• New York

Other Information

This is a high-impact founding role working directly with company leadership. Expect fast iteration, high autonomy, and significant ownership of core systems. Work hours align with US collaboration needs.

Position available immediately.