Build and maintain an AI-powered insurance brokerage product across the full backend stack. Responsibilities include designing AI-driven applications, researching and applying AI tools, debugging production issues, collaborating with founders and product leaders, shaping technical vision, and helping establish engineering culture and practices as the company grows.
Novella is building AI to protect the largest, most complicated assets in the world. Whether it's a rocket going to space or a skyscraper on the coast, Novella is building the first AI powered specialty insurance brokerage.
The Role
We're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join our team. In your day-to-day work, you'll be responsible for building all aspects of our product, from discussing big ideas to debugging production issues. As one of our first 15 hires, you'll also help establish a strong engineering culture and take on a leadership role as the company grows.
The Day to Day
- Design and develop AI driven application on modern technology stack.
- Research and use AI tools in your line of work.
- Collaborate closely with the founders and product team to define and implement our technical vision.
What We're Looking For
- A true Senior Engineer with a minimum of 5 years of experience.
- Excited about the challenge of building a new business from scratch, not just writing more code.
- Excited to use generative AI tools in day-to-day work and adapt as the tools and best practices change.
- Our backend stack right now:
- Node, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Redis, AWS, Docker, GitHub, and GitHub Actions.
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