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Distributed Systems Engineer (Backend) [32751]

Stealth Startup
San Carlos, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/25/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/24/2026

About

We're not just automating calls—we’re transforming how the world communicates. Our AI voice agents are reshaping sales, support, and customer engagement for leading brands. Backed by Alt Capital, Y Combinator, and top-tier investors, we've raised $4.7M in seed funding and hit $14M ARR with just 12 people.

We’re one of the fastest-growing Voice AI startups and we're on a mission to become the standard for voice automation at scale.


About the Role

As a Founding Senior Backend Engineer, you’ll shape the core systems powering millions of AI-driven conversations. You’ll tackle real-time audio, global telephony, and developer tooling, working across the stack with the founding team. This high-impact role offers rapid feedback loops, customer collaboration, and the chance to define a category-leading product.


Key Responsibilities

  • Build foundational architecture for the company's platform, such as prompt orchestration, testing frameworks, observability dashboards, and telephony integrations.
  • Design scalable backend systems and DevOps workflows for reliable performance across millions of calls.
  • Lead complex projects from architecture to production, driving delivery and monitoring.
  • Collaborate with product and design teams to create intuitive APIs and interfaces for quick customer onboarding.
  • Support customer onboarding, troubleshoot issues, and turn feedback into product improvements.


You Might Thrive If You

  • Have 2 years of backend development experience with a degree in CS, CE, or EE.
  • Take ownership like a founder, with a passion for impactful software.
  • Thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments, solving new problems with curiosity.
  • Communicate clearly, collaborate across teams, and drive momentum.
  • Have startup experience or grit to adapt, with bonus points for cloud infra/DevOps knowledge.


Job Details

  • Job Type: Full-time, 70 hr/week (50 hr/week onsite with flexible hours 20 hr/week work from home)
  • Cash: 215k - 290k
  • Equity: 0.4 - 0.6%
  • Location: Redwood City, CA, US
  • US Visas: Sponsors Visa & Green Card


Other Benefits

  • 100% medical, dental, vision insurance coverage
  • Unlimited breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
  • Gym and daily commute fee reimbursement
  • Internet and phone bills covered


Compensation Philosophy

  • Best Offer Upfront: Choose from three cash-equity balance options, no negotiation needed.
  • Top 1% Talent: Above-market pay (top 5 percentile) to attract high performers.
  • High Ownership: Small teams, >$1M revenue/employee, and significant equity.
  • Performance-Based: Offers tied to interview performance, not experience or past salaries.

Salary.com Estimation for Distributed Systems Engineer (Backend) [32751] in San Carlos, CA
$114,999 to $144,102
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