Staff Backend Engineer - AI Systems (Seattle On-Site)

Fuel Talent; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive equity

Job summary

Fuel Talent is partnering with a fast-growing Seattle AI startup to hire a Staff Backend Engineer. You will design scalable backend systems for AI-driven workflows, lead architecture decisions, and stay hands-on across deployment and production.

We seek 8+ years of backend experience, strong system design skills, and a track record of delivering 0-to-1 products. TypeScript, LLMs, AI agents experience are a plus; Seattle team collaboration is in-person.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of software engineering experience with deep backend expertise.
• Strong background in distributed systems, system design, and software architecture.
• Experience leading complex projects independently from concept to production.
• Proven experience building 0-to-1 products or systems.
• Strong ownership, problem-solving skills, and product mindset.

Responsibilities

• Design and build scalable backend systems supporting AI-driven workflows and distributed applications.
• Lead complex technical projects from architecture through production.
• Build 0-to-1 systems and solve ambiguous technical challenges.
• Drive architectural decisions around scalability, performance, and reliability.
• Collaborate with engineering and product teams while mentoring other engineers.
• Remain hands-on with coding, deployment, and production systems.

Skills

Backend engineering

Distributed systems

System design

Project leadership

0-to-1 products

TypeScript

LLMs

AI agents

Job description

Fuel Talent is partnering with a fast-growing Seattle AI startup to hire a Staff Backend Engineer. You will design scalable backend systems for AI-driven workflows, lead architecture decisions, and stay hands-on across deployment and production.

We seek 8+ years of backend experience, strong system design skills, and a track record of delivering 0-to-1 products. TypeScript, LLMs, AI agents experience are a plus; Seattle team collaboration is in-person.