Our client is hiring a Founding Engineer to join them at day zero and help architect, build, and launch their platform. This role is core to the product and technical DNA youll partner directly with the founders, own mission-critical systems, and help shape the technical direction of the business.
We need a capital-B Buildersomeone who can move from idea to execution with minimal structure, build clean and scalable systems, and create quick-and-dirty MVPs when speed is the priority.
This is a rare opportunity to influence product, engineering, and culture from the ground up.
What You Will Do
- Architect and develop core backend systems, APIs, and data flows
- Build working MVPs that let us test ideas fast with real users
- Deploy and operate your own code (PaaS / AWS environment
- Design for scale and security the platform will grow fast
- Collaborate directly with the CTO and co-founders to prioritise roadmap items and define the product
- Guide engineering best practices, help us hire future team members, and shape our culture
Theyre early no legacy, no rigid stack. Current direction includes:
- Languages: TypeScript / Node.js
- Hosting: AWS
- Tooling: You help us choose. Comfort working across stacks is a plus.
- Have 5+ years of backend or full-stack experience, ideally in startups or fintech
- Are product-minded, you care about solving the real problem, not just writing code
- Can independently scope, build, and ship working systems without needing layers of support.
- Have worked at recognizable companies or have a strong portfolio of shipped work
- Can adapt quickly youre happy in ambiguity and thrive on autonomy
- Love the idea of building for scale, but understand when its time to hack something together.
- Are based in Cape Town (or willing to travel there occasionally)
- Have experience with financial platforms, user wallets, or transactional systems
- Are opinionated on startup tooling and infra, but flexible in execution
- Enjoy the chaos and satisfaction of zero-to-one environments.
- Have startup or solo-founder energy: fast, resourceful, no ego.
