Lead Backend Engineer
HarnhamAbout the role
LEAD BACKEND ENGINEER – AI PLATFORM & SERVICES
REMOTE (U.S.)
$175,000 – $210,000 BASE + BENEFITS
The Opportunity We're partnering with a growing SaaS organization that is investing heavily in AI and advanced analytics to build the next generation of intelligent software solutions. The company is looking for a Lead Backend Engineer to play a key role in bringing AI-powered capabilities to market. You'll work at the intersection of software engineering, platform architecture, and machine learning, helping transform AI concepts into scalable, customer-facing products. This is a hands-on technical leadership position for someone who enjoys building systems, solving complex engineering challenges, and influencing technical direction without moving into people management.
The Engineering Environment The team is focused on:
Modern cloud-based platform development
Scalable backend architecture and distributed systems
Production AI and machine learning applications
Close collaboration between Engineering and Data Science
Platform modernization and long-term technical strategy
Agile development, CI/CD, and engineering best practices
What You'll Do
Design and build scalable backend systems that support AI-driven products and services
Deploy and integrate technologies such as LLMs, generative AI, RAG, predictive models, and intelligent workflows
Partner with Data Science teams to move machine learning models from experimentation into production
Create reusable services and infrastructure that accelerate future AI development
Lead technical initiatives from architecture and design through implementation and deployment
Evaluate emerging technologies and help shape platform strategy
Improve performance, reliability, scalability, and security across the platform
Provide technical guidance and communicate architectural recommendations to stakeholders and leadership
What We're Looking For
15+ years of software engineering experience
Deep expertise in backend development with Java
Experience designing and supporting large-scale SaaS or enterprise platforms
Track record of delivering AI or machine learning solutions into production environments
Experience working closely with Data Scientists and ML teams
Strong architecture, system design, and technical leadership capabilities
Cloud experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP
Strong understanding of software quality, CI/CD, monitoring, security, and scalability
Exposure to technologies such as Python, FastAPI, LangChain, vector databases, RAG, ML pipelines, model serving, or LLM integrations is a plus
Why This Role
Direct influence on the company's AI strategy and roadmap
Build AI-powered products that have real customer impact
High ownership and visibility across engineering leadership
Work alongside product, data science, and executive stakeholders
Opportunity to solve challenging technical problems at scale
Fully remote work environment
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior-level backend engineer who wants to remain hands-on while helping shape the future of AI-enabled products. The ideal candidate has a strong Java foundation, has successfully delivered AI capabilities into production, and enjoys turning innovative ideas into scalable, real-world solutions.
Responsibilities
- Design and build scalable backend systems that support AI-driven products and services
- Deploy and integrate technologies such as LLMs, generative AI, RAG, predictive models, and intelligent workflows
- Partner with Data Science teams to move machine learning models from experimentation into production
- Create reusable services and infrastructure that accelerate future AI development
- Lead technical initiatives from architecture and design through implementation and deployment
- Evaluate emerging technologies and help shape platform strategy
- Improve performance, reliability, scalability, and security across the platform
- Provide technical guidance and communicate architectural recommendations to stakeholders and leadership
Qualifications
- 15+ years of software engineering experience
- Deep expertise in backend development with Java
- Experience designing and supporting large-scale SaaS or enterprise platforms
- Track record of delivering AI or machine learning solutions into production environments
- Experience working closely with Data Scientists and ML teams
- Strong architecture, system design, and technical leadership capabilities
- Cloud experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP
- Strong understanding of software quality, CI/CD, monitoring, security, and scalability
Benefits
- Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
- Fully remote work environment
- Direct influence on the company's AI strategy and roadmap
- High ownership and visibility across engineering leadership
- Opportunity to solve challenging technical problems at scale
Skills mentioned
About Harnham
Harnham provides specialist Data and AI recruitment and staffing services, along with bespoke training solutions, across multiple industry verticals, operating in the UK, the USA and EU - contact us today to discuss your requirements: info@harnham.com Our recruitment and talent teams cover all aspects of the data and AI pipeline, from collection to consumption, across multiple data roles and functions. Whether you need full-time staff, contract talent, specialized training, Data-qualified graduates, or C-suite executives, Harnham Group is equipped to fulfill all your data talent requirements. Our five core services: * ATD - Rockborne – our graduate development arm – deploys expertly trained data consultants, who have gone through an intensive 12-week data training programme. After two years in the scheme, your consultant could become a * Contract / C2C / Freelance: Whether you're addressing a talent shortage, augmenting a project team, or encountering resource gaps, our specialist consultants offer bespoke interim talent solutions to address your unique challenges and drive success. * Full-Time / Direct Hiring: From early career professionals to senior management, our comprehensive services enable you to unearth outstanding data talent across various specializations, ensuring your organization thrives in the data-driven era. * Executive Search: With our dedicated executive search team and an extensive network encompassing the director to C-suite level, we assist both global corporations and ambitious startups in securing top-tier leadership talent to accomplish their goals. * GenAI, Prompt, LLM Training: Elevate your team's data expertise with our all-encompassing training programs covering essential tools and technologies such as Python, SQL, Machine Learning, LLM’s and AI. Highly bespoke, customised to your team learning requirements and budgets.
H-1B sponsorship history
Historical employer filing data was found for Harnham. The employer record includes 1 historical certified applications. This is employer-level history, not a guarantee that this role currently offers sponsorship.