Software Engineer

K2 Venture Partners LLC; Westlake (OH); On-site; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

In-person collaboration 3 days/wk

Flexible PTO

Health benefits

Job summary

K2 Venture Partners LLC in Westlake, Ohio seeks a full-stack generalist to own features from database design to user interface, closely partnering with the founders.

You'll emphasize backend systems with scalable APIs, data models, business logic, and AI/RAG integrations, while stepping into React when frontend needs attention.

Joining a boutique studio, you’ll influence architecture, ship production-ready code, and mentor others in a fast-paced, startup environment.

Qualifications

• Strong CS fundamentals and ability to design elegant solutions to complex problems.
• Knowledge of software design patterns and clean architecture.
• Professional software development experience shipping production systems.
• Experience with RESTful API design, database modeling, authentication/authorization, and performance optimization.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable backend systems including APIs, databases, and microservices.
• Build AI-powered features and RAG systems for intelligent, context-aware apps.
• Architect data models and business logic for flexible domain requirements.
• Develop responsive frontend interfaces using React patterns when needed.
• Collaborate with founders to translate vision into technical roadmaps and plans.
• Make key technology decisions around frameworks and infrastructure.
• Write clean, maintainable code with comprehensive testing and reviews.

Skills

CS fundamentals

Design patterns

Backend development

RESTful APIs

Python/Django/FastAPI

Node.js/Express

Go

React

Product mindset

Communication

Tools

Docker

GitHub Actions

LangFuse

Vector databases

Job description

About

K2 Venture Partners is a hands-on software development studio specializing in AI-first problem solving and zero-to-one product development, founded by serial entrepreneurs who’ve built dozens of products and sold multiple companies. We partner with early-stage companies to transform bold ideas into market-ready products, with a core focus on achieving product-market fit through rapid, traction-centric development.

The Role

We’re seeking an exceptional software engineer who combines technical excellence with pragmatic product thinking. As a full-stack generalist, you’ll own entire features from database design to user interface, working closely with our product team to deliver cutting-edge software solutions.

This role demands versatility and technical depth. While you’ll touch every part of the stack, we especially value strong backend expertise: building robust APIs, designing scalable databases, implementing complex business logic, and integrating AI/RAG capabilities. You’ll architect systems that can evolve with rapidly changing startup needs while maintaining the flexibility to jump into React when the frontend needs attention.

You’ll be a technical partner to founders, translating business requirements into elegant technical solutions and making critical architecture decisions that shape products from their earliest stages.

What You’ll Do

• Design and implement scalable backend systems including APIs, databases, and microservices that power multiple startup products
• Build AI-powered features and RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systems to create intelligent, context-aware applications
• Architect data models and implement business logic that captures complex domain requirements while remaining flexible for iteration
• Develop responsive frontend interfaces using modern React patterns when needed to complete end-to-end features
• Collaborate directly with founders to understand their vision and translate it into technical roadmaps and implementation plans
• Make critical technology decisions around frameworks, infrastructure, and architecture patterns that set products up for long‑term success
• Write clean, maintainable code with comprehensive testing that allows for rapid iteration without sacrificing quality
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to engineering best practices across multiple codebases

What We’re Looking For

• Strong computer science fundamentals with the ability to design elegant solutions to complex problems
• Solid understanding of software design patterns, clean architecture principles, and when to apply them pragmatically
• Some professional software development experience with the ability to ship production systems
• Experience in backend development: RESTful API design, database modeling, authentication/authorization, and performance optimization
• Experience with modern backend languages and frameworks (Python/Django/FastAPI, Node.js/Express, Go, or similar)
• Some understanding of frontend development skills with React and modern JavaScript/TypeScript
• A product‑minded approach: you care about user outcomes, not just technical implementation
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience with AI/ML frameworks and Large Language Models (OpenAI, Anthropic, vector databases)
• Experience with monitoring and evaluating production LLM (Langfuse, Langsmith, etc.)
• Contributions to open‑source projects or technical writing
• Experience with mobile development (React Native, Flutter)
• DevOps expertise with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code (Docker, GitHub Actions, etc.)

Logistics & Perks

• Boutique studio in Westlake, OH. Collaborate in‑person with founders and the team 3 days/week.
• Compensation: $95,000 base salary + participation in profit sharing program
• Work on diverse, cutting‑edge products across multiple industries
• Direct mentorship from successful serial entrepreneurs
• Small, high‑impact team where your decisions directly shape product outcomes
• Flexible PTO and comprehensive health benefits