AI-Driven Backend Python Developer

AI-Driven Backend Python Developer at a Stealth-Mode YC Startup

Underdog.io is a modern recruiting platform, and we're partnered with a Y Combinator-backed startup that is revolutionizing software development with groundbreaking AI technology. This is an incredible opportunity to join a stealth-mode company at its earliest stages and make a monumental impact.

Bonus: Located in San Francisco Bay Area or New York City.

Why This Role is Exciting:

• Founding Team Impact: As an early employee, you will work directly with the founders, shaping the product vision, technical architecture, company culture, and technology stack from the ground up. Your contributions will be pivotal.
• YC Warp Speed: Immerse yourself in the intense and rewarding Y Combinator ecosystem. Expect rapid iteration, continuous learning, and the opportunity to make critical decisions daily.
• Meaningful Ownership: Receive substantial, early-stage equity, truly owning a stake in building something massive. Your direct contributions will translate into tangible value.
• Immediate & Visible Impact: See your code quickly move the needle. Build, ship, break, fix, and ship again, often within the same day. Your work directly fuels our progress.
• Build the Cutting Edge: Lead the charge in AI-driven development, pioneering how Large Language Models (LLMs) can automate and optimize the entire software creation process.

Who You Are:

• Python or Node.js Expert: Possess deep expertise in building robust, scalable backend systems and microservices using Python or Node.js, with the ability to seamlessly integrate new libraries and frameworks.
• AI & Code Generation Experience: You have hands-on experience with LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) and are passionate about applying AI for code generation, automation, and transforming developer workflows. This experience is a significant advantage.
• Hacker Mentality: You thrive on tackling complex problems head-on, rapidly prototyping solutions, quickly learning new documentation, and iterating relentlessly. You are driven to solve problems proactively.
• Ultimate Self-Starter: You actively identify gaps, recognize opportunities, and take decisive action without needing explicit direction. You take full ownership of challenges and drive them to resolution.

What You'll Do:

• Spearhead Rapid Prototyping: Develop Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) at high speed and evolve them into scalable, production-grade services that power our core product.
• Champion AI Integration: Leverage LLMs and other AI technologies to explore, prototype, and implement innovative features for automated code generation and significant enhancements in developer productivity.
• Build for Scale & Reliability: Architect, develop, and deploy backend systems capable of handling real-world traffic, ensuring exceptional performance, stability, and resilience from day one.
• Be a Full-Stack Founder (in Spirit): Dive deeply into the entire technology stack, including backend architecture, AI model integration, API design, and infrastructure, doing whatever is necessary to ship transformative features.
• Define the Foundation: Play a crucial role in establishing engineering best practices, selecting key tooling, and fostering the culture of our rapidly growing technical team.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out:

• Founder-Level Influence: Your technical decisions and product insights will directly shape the company's future. This is more than a job; it's an act of co-creation.
• Build Something Revolutionary: Contribute to a product that is set to redefine how developers work, utilizing the most advanced breakthroughs in AI.
• Zero Bureaucracy, Pure Results: Operate within a lean, agile environment exclusively focused on building, iterating, and shipping. Expect no corporate red tape.
• Equity with Real Potential: Your ownership stake offers a genuine opportunity for significant returns as the company grows.
• YC Intensity & Opportunity: Experience the unique, accelerated growth and extensive network provided by Y Combinator. Be prepared for rapid learning, swift pivots, and embracing exciting challenges.

Key skills/competency

• Backend Development
• Python
• Node.js
• Large Language Models (LLMs)
• AI Integration
• Code Generation
• Microservices
• System Architecture
• Prototyping
• Scalability