Founding Engineer (Python / FastAPI / Next.js) — (US Based)
Sierra Studio
Opportunity published from Ashby · applications stay with the original hiring source.
About the opportunity
Sierra Studio is managing the hiring process for a client building the software and intelligence layer for consumer goods manufacturers.
The client is hiring a Founding Engineer to own the product's technical foundation, turning a working v1 into production-grade software.
This is a remote, U.S.-based role requiring regular in-person work sessions with the founder in the early months and occasional travel to manufacturing sites.
Key responsibilities
- Own the codebase and architecture end to end, auditing v1 and planning what to keep, rebuild, and harden.
- Ship full-stack features across Python, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, PostgreSQL, WebSockets, and Next.js.
- Build integrations with manufacturers' ERP systems and third-party tools for seamless data flow.
- Design and evolve the data model with clean, reversible Alembic migrations.
- Build the real-time layer to keep manufacturers and brands aligned on status, documents, and messages.
- Own infrastructure, deployment, and monitoring.
- Participate in design partner calls and translate user feedback into product decisions.
- Help shape AI integration within the product and establish the engineering bar for future hires.
Qualifications
- 5+ years building production software with full-stack ownership across front end and back end.
- Proven experience shipping a product from 0 to 1, ideally as an early engineer at a startup.
- Fluent in Python and TypeScript, with experience building using FastAPI (or similar) and React or Next.js.
- Strong proficiency in PostgreSQL, covering schema design, query tuning, and migrations.
- Experience integrating external systems with a focus on reliability, retries, idempotency, and sync conflicts.
- Ability to make product and prioritization decisions autonomously and treat tests, monitoring, and deploys as essential parts of shipping.
- Daily use of AI tools to accelerate development.
- Strong written communication skills and comfort working closely with a hands-on founder.
Nice to have
- Experience with ERP systems like NetSuite, SAP Business One, Acumatica, or QuickBooks, or with supply chain, manufacturing, or B2B operations software.
- Experience building real-time features using WebSockets.
- Experience shipping AI or LLM-powered features, such as document extraction or retrieval.
- Side projects demonstrating range and initiative.
Benefits
- Salary range of $160,000 to $250,000 annually.
- Equity grant with share count and fully diluted total shared during the process.
Job details
- Location: Remote, U.S.-based
- Compensation: $160k - $250k annually + equity grant
About the company
Our client provides the software and intelligence layer for consumer goods manufacturers, connecting manufacturers and brands with a shared, real-time view of production runs from purchase order to shipment.
The company is backed by CPG manufacturing owners, features a working v1 with a lined-up design partner cohort, and plans to launch in early 2027.
Sierra Studio supports this partnership by managing the initial hiring process, after which you will be hired directly by and work within the client company.
Application: UpVagas lists this opportunity from the hiring company or its recruitment platform. The application is completed at the original source.
