Founding Engineer for an AI startup (Python / Fast API / Backend only)

About Us:

Lemmi is an AI-powered career companion revolutionizing how professionals navigate their career journey. We simplify the job search process by providing intelligent guidance on best practices and automating routine tasks. Our platform features AI-powered mock interviews that identify skill gaps, provide targeted practice, and build confidence through measurable progress tracking.

As an early-stage Ukrainian startup with a globally distributed team, we're building the future of career development technology.

Your Mission:

As our Python Founding Engineer, you will work directly with the founders and our development team to implement product strategy and prepare our platform for scale. This is an exceptional opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an early-stage startup while diving deep into modern Python development, generative AI, and other back end technologies. You'll develop crucial product thinking skills while contributing to a mission-driven platform that helps thousands of job seekers land their dream roles. You will work directly with modern AI integration and prompt engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Feature Development: Extend current functionality and collaborate closely with the frontend team to deliver seamless new features
• System Architecture: Work alongside senior back-end engineers to stabilize and optimize our backend infrastructure while addressing technical debt
• Build Core Systems: Develop the core product logic with supervision and support.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Participate in product discussions and contribute ideas for improving user experience
• Expand our AI integrations and take ownership of our AI-based logic: Continuously improve integrated system performance and integrate new systems. In the future, start developing our own solutions.

Requirements:

Must-Have:

• Strong knowledge of Python, Fast API ecosystem
• Experience integrating with popular AI solutions
• Prompt engineering skills
• Strong problem-solving abilities and critical-thinking skills
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to seek guidance
• At least 3 years of commercial experience

Why Join Us:

• Direct Impact: Your code will directly shape product development and impact thousands of users' career journeys
   
• Exceptional Learning Opportunity: Work directly with our founder and senior engineers (back-end and machine learning specialists) who are committed to mentoring and accelerating your professional growth
   
• Ultimate Flexibility: Choose work hours that suit your lifestyle (~15-20 hours/week), perfect for balancing with studies or other commitments
  
   
• Cutting-Edge Technology Stack: While focusing on Python solutions, you can contribute to our AI components and explore modern generative AI integrations, prompt engineering, and LLM concepts
   
• Industry Insider Knowledge: Gain unique insights into job market dynamics, recruitment strategies, and career development best practices that will benefit your own career forever

Our Values:

• Continuous Learning: We embrace challenges as opportunities and invest in constant skill development
   
• Ownership: We take full responsibility for our work, delivering results that exceed expectations
   
• Customer-First: We're passionate about solving real problems that help people advance their careers
   
• Data-Driven: We base decisions on research, metrics, and user feedback rather than assumptions
   
• T-Shaped Development: We cultivate broad knowledge across engineering and product domains while developing deep expertise in our specialties

Our team:

- 1 Founding FE Engineer (Staff), 1 Senior FE Engineer, 1 Middle FE Engineer
- 2 Senior .NET Engineers

- 1 Middle Python Engineer

- CPO (founder) + 2 Product Mangers

- UI/UX Designer

- Sales Manger

- CEO/Founder with technical background

Important Note:

This position begins as an equity-based opportunity as we're an early-stage startup preparing for our initial investment round in late 2025. The paid option won't be available, at least, until the middle of Q1 2026. Upon successful funding, this role will transition to a competitive full-time or part-time paid position. This is an ideal opportunity for motivated individuals who want to get in on the ground floor of a promising startup and grow with the company.

We are a Ukrainian startup with team members distributed globally, operating with a remote-first culture.