Founding Backend Engineer - Remote (USA)
About Us Flocker is a mobile-first, AI-powered marketplace for real-life spontaneous micro-events. It empowers creators and hosts to bring small, in-person gatherings to life — whether free community meetups or monetized experiences — while giving users a safe, spontaneous way to discover and join IRL moments. From pop-up art shows and rooftop yoga to underground comedy nights, poetry jams, and intimate live music sessions, Flocker makes real-world connection effortless. Job Description Job Title: Founding Backend Engineer Location: Remote Company: Flocker | Position Overview We’ve spent two years building Flocker’s strategy, design, and systems, and we’re now looking for one more builder to help complete our final pre-launch phase and ship a public iOS/Android app in the next 4–6 months. We’re seeking a highly skilled and motivated Founding Backend Engineer. You’ll join a small, collaborative team with experience from Google, Meta, YouTube, and Microsoft Research — bringing together excellence in design, science, and engineering. Key Responsibilities • Design, build, and maintain Flocker’s backend services and APIs (FastAPI + PostgreSQL, migrating to DynamoDB over time). • Implement authentication, session management, and secure cookie flows (FastAPI Users + CloudFront). • Develop and scale real-time data pipelines (Kinesis, Lambda, S3) for interaction logging and personalization. • Build and optimize media handling pipelines (image/video upload, compression, CDN delivery via CloudFront). • Architect and tune database schemas (Postgres → DynamoDB single-table design) with focus on cost-efficient scale. • Collaborate with mobile/frontend engineers to deliver seamless, low-latency user experiences. • Engage in the full software development lifecycle: design, coding, testing, deployment. • Work in a fast-moving, agile startup environment — iterating quickly and adjusting priorities based on learning and feedback. Requirements / You’re Right For This If • 5+ years designing, building, and scaling backend systems to millions of users. • Expert in modern backend development (FastAPI, Django, Flask, or similar). • Proven ability to build and launch products (startup, side project, or even a failed venture). • Experience with relational databases (Postgres/MySQL) and exposure to NoSQL systems. • Track record of shipped products or platforms we can see live today. • Leadership ability, self-motivation, and comfort navigating ambiguity. • Ready to operate with founder-level ownership and commitment. • Experience with real-time data pipelines, cloud infrastructure (AWS), or consumer apps. • Bonus: Demonstrated experience building or scaling marketplace platforms with integrated logistics flows (matching, routing, ticketing, or fulfillment systems). e.g. Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, or Doordash. Compensation Salary plus equity Application Process If you are passionate about building massively scalable, cost-effective consumer-facing systems and want to be a part of a dynamic startup environment, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your resume, along with your LinkedIn profile link. Flocker is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Together, let's make real-world connection effortless and spontaneous. Apply tot his job