Senior Backend Engineer (Hybrid – Malta) - Stealth AI Start-up

Competitive Salary + Unlimited holiday

A well-funded, early-stage tech start-up is on a mission to transform one of the world’s most outdated industries through AI, automation, and smart product design. Backed by leading European VCs and growing fast, this team is building foundational tech with real-world impact - and they’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join their Malta hub.

This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in a fast-moving, early-stage environment and wants to shape not just systems, but culture and process.

What You’ll Do:

• Design, build, and optimise backend systems from scratch
• Integrate AI/ML pipelines into real-time product workflows
• Develop robust, scalable APIs for web and mobile platforms
• Own cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP)
• Champion code quality, testing, and CI/CD best practices
• Work closely with the founding team and contribute to team growth in Malta
• Drive type safety, performance, and backend engineering standards

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years’ experience in backend development (Python preferred; FastAPI a plus)
• Strong SQL skills (PostgreSQL, SQLAlchemy, Alembic) and API development
• Solid understanding of async I/O, distributed systems, and cloud infrastructure
• Knowledge of AWS, GCP, and backend security best practices
• Interest in practical applications of AI/ML in real products
• A self-starter who thrives in early-stage, high-impact environments
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Experience in start-ups or small, agile teams is required
• Familiarity with compliance-sensitive systems
• Understanding of frontend/backend collaboration and devops pipelines

Why You’ll Love It:

• Ground-floor opportunity in a venture-backed startup
• Hybrid working model (2–3 days/week in the Malta office)
• Unlimited holiday + flexible working hours
• Private health insurance and regular team offsites
• The chance to shape an entire platform and engineering culture