Job Description

Senior Backend Engineer

Location: Remote (US only)

Type: Full-Time

Compensation: Competitive Salary for a Startup + Equity

**About the Role**

We’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer who ships fast, thinks in systems,
and operates with deep ownership.

This is a foundational engineering role at Upscale AI. You will have an
outsized impact on a product used by fast-growing DTC brands to scale their
video advertising.

You won’t wait to be told what to build. You’ll understand the business
context, identify what matters most, and execute. You’ll work closely with
leadership and the engineering team, and your code will reach production
quickly.

If you thrive in ambiguity, are energized by constraints, and want to build
AI-native systems that solve real business problems in the adtech space, this
role is for you.

**About Us**

Upscale AI is transforming how ecommerce and DTC brands use video and
streaming TV to grow. Our platform combines:

AI-Driven Creative Generation: turning brand assets into TV-quality ads
automatically
Performance Media Buying: buying streaming TV and YouTube like digital, with
precision targeting
Advanced Attribution: proving ROI across ecommerce and retail channels
We’ve helped brands like Jones Road Beauty, Westmore Beauty, Branch Furniture,
and Lalo scale video advertising that drives real business outcomes.

Backed by M12, NVP Capital, and Eniac Ventures, we’re scaling fast and hiring
foundational team members to reach the next stage of growth.

**Key Responsibilities**

Own backend features end-to-end, from domain modeling and API design to
deployment and production support
Ship quickly while maintaining strong standards for reliability,
observability, and maintainability
Design and implement LLM-powered workflows, including prompt pipelines, multi-
step agents, structured outputs, and retrieval-augmented generation
Use AI coding tools such as Claude Code and Codex effectively. Break down
problems, prompt well, review diffs carefully, and validate outputs with tests
Focus execution on what drives business impact, and push back on low-value
work
Contribute to database design, async task systems, caching, and API
architecture with clear trade-off reasoning
Communicate proactively with teammates and leadership. Surface blockers early
and keep context tight
Take full ownership of what you ship. Monitor production, respond to issues
quickly, and fix problems without being prompted

**Qualifications Required**

5+ years of backend engineering experience with strong Python expertise
Production experience with FastAPI or similar async Python frameworks
Strong PostgreSQL experience, including schema design, query performance, and
migrations
Strong GCP experience, including Cloud Run, Cloud Tasks, AlloyDB, and
serverless or event-driven architectures
Experience with Kubernetes or GKE in production environments
Experience integrating LLM APIs, including prompt design, chaining, structured
outputs, and cost and latency trade-offs
Solid understanding of distributed systems, system design, and production
reliability
Ability to write observable, well-tested code
Strong written and verbal communication. Clear, concise, and unambiguous in
async environments
Collaborative team player. Shares context proactively and works effectively
across teams
Strong analytical and debugging skills. Able to quickly identify root causes
and get to the heart of complex problems

**Strongly Preferred**

Early-stage startup experience with broad ownership and minimal process
Daily use of AI coding assistants, with strong judgment in decomposition, code
review, and output validation
Background in ad tech, ecommerce, social platforms, fintech, or other data-
driven systems
Familiarity with video pipelines, programmatic advertising, or attribution

**Mindset**

Strong bias for action. You ship, learn, and iterate quickly
High ownership. You care about outcomes, not just completed tasks
Good judgment. You make pragmatic trade-offs based on business context
Comfortable with ambiguity and under-specified problems
Proactive by default. You identify gaps and act without waiting for direction

**What We Offer**

Competitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
Fully remote, async-friendly team
Direct access to leadership and real influence over product direction
Fast feedback loop between what you build and real customer outcomes