Senior Software Engineer - Backend

Read AI is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join our Backend team. As a senior contributor, you will play a key role in designing, building, and scaling backend systems that power our AI-driven productivity platform. You’ll work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, shipping code weekly and directly impacting millions of users.

• Architect, develop, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs, primarily using Python (FastAPI), SQLAlchemy, and AWS infrastructure.
• Design and implement features for data ingestion, third-party integrations (e.g., Slack, HubSpot, Notion), authentication/authorization, and enterprise-grade security and compliance.
• Own the full software development lifecycle: requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and monitoring.
• Collaborate closely with product managers, frontend engineers, and data scientists to deliver innovative solutions.
• Drive technical excellence through code reviews, mentorship, and best practices in software engineering.
• Participate in on-call rotations and contribute to operational excellence, reliability, and observability of backend systems.
• Continuously improve system performance, scalability, and reliability to support rapid user and data growth.
• Contribute to a culture of innovation, ownership, and customer-centricity.

• 10+ years of professional experience in backend software engineering, with a strong track record of shipping production systems.
• Proficiency in Python (or similar languages such as Java, C++, or Node.js); Experience designing and building distributed, cloud-native systems (preferably on AWS).
• Deep understanding of API design, authentication/authorization protocols (OAuth2, JWT), and security best practices.
• Familiarity with CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code (Terraform), and modern DevOps practices.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong sense of ownership, curiosity, and a passion for innovation and continuous learning.
• Experience working in a startup or fast-paced environment is highly valued.

• Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus.

This description reflects Read AI’s focus on rapid iteration, technical excellence, and building robust backend systems to support AI-powered productivity tools for a growing user base. 

• Innovative:  We're set to bring AI to the masses by introducing technology designed to improve every interaction.  
• Massive Impact:  AI's greatest impact will be on the ability to allow people to do more, taking away mundane tasks and allowing them to focus on what matters the most.  
• Growth Opportunities:  Read AI is the fastest growing AI-copilot and meeting notetaker in history, and is on pace to be one of the fastest growing consumer AI companies in the world, adding more than 1MM new customers every month. The company raised Series A and B in 2024, and was noted as a Top Company To Watch in 2025 by Inc Magazine. 
• Leadership: Learn more about CEO and Co-Founder David Shim in this Fortune Good Life profile from July 2025; CTO and Co-Founder Rob Williams was recently anointed as one of the most disruptive leaders in AI; and Co-Founder and VP Data Science Elliott Waldron goes behind-the-scenes on our patents and models in this tech brief..  
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a supportive and collaborative environment with a diverse and talented team.