Lead Backend Engineer - AI Tooling
Alignerr · New York, NY
- Hybrid
- Contract
- $150,000 / year
- New York, NY
Job highlights
- Build AI infrastructure with Python expertise.
- Develop data pipelines and annotation tooling.
- Architect robust APIs and database schemas.
- Improve system reliability and performance.
- Lead code reviews for critical AI systems.
About the role
Lead Backend Engineer — AI Tooling
About The Role
What if your Python expertise could directly shape the infrastructure that powers the world's most advanced AI systems? We're looking for a senior backend engineer to build and lead the data pipelines, annotation tooling, and evaluation infrastructure that leading AI labs depend on to train and improve their models.
This is a fully remote contract role working on real production systems at the cutting edge of AI development. If you're a senior engineer who wants meaningful, high-impact work — not another CRUD app — this is it.
- Organization: Alignerr
- Type: Hourly Contract
- Location: Remote
- Commitment: 20–40 hours/week
What You'll Do
- Design, build, and optimize high-performance Python systems supporting AI data pipelines and model evaluation workflows
- Develop backend services and full-stack tooling for large-scale data annotation, validation, and quality control
- Architect robust APIs (REST/GraphQL), design database schemas, and implement authentication and authorization flows
- Improve reliability, performance, and safety across existing Python codebases
- Identify bottlenecks and edge cases in data and system behavior, then implement scalable, production-ready fixes
- Collaborate with data, research, and engineering teams across model training and evaluation workflows
- Lead synchronous design and code reviews — driving decisions that shape the architecture of critical AI systems
Who You Are
- Native or fluent English speaker with strong written and verbal communication skills
- Full-stack developer with a deep systems programming background and 5+ years writing production Python backend services
- Fluent in modern Python web frameworks with strict type enforcement patterns
- Experienced architecting scalable APIs, data schemas, and auth systems in production environments
- A natural leader in code reviews and system design sessions — you can articulate decisions clearly and bring others along
- Able to commit 20–40 hours per week on a reliable, ongoing basis
Nice to Have
- Prior experience with data annotation, data quality pipelines, or AI evaluation systems
- Familiarity with AI/ML workflows, model training, or benchmarking infrastructure
- Experience with distributed systems, developer tooling, or platform engineering
Why Join Us
- Work directly with leading AI labs on systems that influence next-generation model development
- Fully remote and flexible — work from wherever you do your best work
- Freelance autonomy with the structure and stability of ongoing, project-based engagement
- Make a real, measurable impact on the infrastructure behind some of the most advanced AI in the world
- Potential for extended engagement and expanded scope as projects grow
Key skills/competency
- Python
- Backend Development
- API Design (REST/GraphQL)
- Database Schema Design
- Authentication and Authorization
- System Architecture
- Performance Optimization
- Scalability
- Code Review Leadership
- AI Tooling Infrastructure
Skills & topics
- Lead Backend Engineer
- Python
- AI Tooling
- Backend Development
- API Design
- Data Pipelines
- System Architecture
- Remote
- Contract
- Engineering
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 5+ years of production Python backend experience and AI tooling contributions.
- Showcase leadership: Emphasize experience leading code reviews and system design for scalable APIs and data schemas.
- Quantify impact: Provide examples of how you've improved performance, reliability, or scalability of backend systems.
- Demonstrate remote work skills: Mention strong written/verbal communication and ability to commit 20-40 hours weekly.
- Align with company mission: Express enthusiasm for shaping AI infrastructure and working with leading AI labs.
Technical preparation
Master Python web frameworks and type enforcement.,Design scalable APIs and database schemas.,Implement robust authentication and authorization.,Optimize Python systems for performance.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex system design challenge you led.,How do you handle technical disagreements in reviews?,Tell me about a time you improved system performance.,How do you ensure quality in data pipelines?
Frequently asked questions
- What does a Lead Backend Engineer at Alignerr do with AI Tooling?
- As a Lead Backend Engineer focused on AI Tooling at Alignerr, you will design, build, and optimize Python systems for AI data pipelines and model evaluation. You'll develop tooling for data annotation, validation, and quality control, architect robust APIs, and lead code reviews to shape critical AI infrastructure.
- Is this Lead Backend Engineer role remote?
- Yes, this Lead Backend Engineer position at Alignerr is a fully remote contract role. You can work from anywhere as long as you are a native or fluent English speaker with strong communication skills.
- What kind of commitment is expected for this contract role at Alignerr?
- Alignerr expects a commitment of 20-40 hours per week for this hourly contract Lead Backend Engineer role. Candidates must be able to commit to this schedule reliably on an ongoing basis.
- What are the key technical skills for the Lead Backend Engineer AI Tooling role at Alignerr?
- Key technical skills include strong production Python backend development (5+ years), modern Python web frameworks, architecting scalable APIs (REST/GraphQL), database schema design, and authentication/authorization flows. Experience with AI/ML workflows or distributed systems is a plus.
- What makes the Lead Backend Engineer AI Tooling role at Alignerr unique?
- This role offers the unique opportunity to work on the cutting edge of AI development, directly shaping the infrastructure for advanced AI systems and collaborating with leading AI labs. It focuses on high-impact work beyond typical CRUD applications.
- What is the employment type for the Lead Backend Engineer AI Tooling position at Alignerr?
- The employment type for this position is an hourly contract role, offering freelance autonomy with project-based engagement.
- What kind of leadership is expected from the Lead Backend Engineer at Alignerr?
- The Lead Backend Engineer is expected to take a natural leadership role in code reviews and system design sessions, clearly articulating decisions and guiding other team members in shaping the architecture of critical AI systems.