CF - Senior Backend Engineer - Python

About Empirical

Empirical empowers early and growth stage tech companies to create the right products in the right way by providing two pivotal services:

• Product & Technology Leadership: Our clients entrust critical decisions to our network of top-tier US-based CTOs and CPOs. We provide fractional, project, or advisory based support, combining highly experienced talent with a flexible approach.

• Product Development Teams: We provide our clients with high performing, senior product development talent through a scalable staff augmentation model and ongoing support. We focus on Latin America to find exceptional talent, with time zone and cultural compatibility.

We are proud to be a people first company, where we prioritize building meaningful, long lasting human connections with clients and team members alike, while embracing diversity and uniqueness. With this foundation and our focus on talent, we help create great products that people love.

Our values

• Care about people first

• Strive to add value always

• Lead with integrity

• Have fun every step of the way

The Opportunity

Our client is a fast growing AI-driven digital lending platform that’s transforming how small businesses access funding. Their backend architecture is built around Python + FastAPI, deployed in AWS, and designed to support rapid data integration and real-time automation.

They’re looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to help design, build, and scale FastAPI microservices, integrate external APIs, and deliver clean, reliable, asynchronous Python code. You’ll work closely with senior technical leadership, contributing directly to the unified API layer that powers the company’s automation and AI workflows, within a modern backend stack that includes Python, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Redis, AWS, Docker, CI/CD, and advanced data tools such as Weaviate, Neptune, and LangChain/LangGraph.

What you’ll do

• Design, develop, and maintain FastAPI microservices in production environments.

• Build and integrate APIs with external financial and operational systems.

• Normalize and map data from multiple third-party providers into unified schemas.

• Collaborate with AI, DevOps, and data teams to ensure reliable, real-time data ingestion.

• Contribute to scalability, performance, and security improvements across the backend.

• Participate in architectural discussions and code reviews, helping define best practices.

Your qualifications and experience

• Strong proficiency in Python.

• Proven experience developing production-grade systems with FastAPI.

• Solid understanding of RESTful APIs, asynchronous programming, and PostgreSQL.

• Experience working in distributed, remote engineering teams.

• Clear communication skills and a proactive, ownership-oriented mindset

Bonus points for

• Experience with AWS (Lambda, ECS, Secrets Manager, S3, CloudWatch).

• Building third-party API integrations (Plaid, Experian, DocuSign, etc.).

• Familiarity with vector or graph databases (Weaviate, AWS Neptune).

• Exposure to AI-driven systems or fintech environments.

What we expect from you

• 100% alignment with our core values!

• Ability to take ownership of projects from start to finish

• Strong collaboration and communication skills

• Attention to detail and a passion for creating great user experiences

What we offer

• Remote/flexible work

• Highly competitive compensation in US dollars

• Opportunities for personal and professional development; mentorship, coaching and training as needed

• Ongoing, 40 hours per week dedication

• The chance to be part of an amazing, multicultural community of tech experts

Why work with us?

• We pride ourselves on our core values and have proven that putting people first creates a thriving and collaborative work environment.

• We seek to accommodate and balance individual needs with client needs, understanding each one of us is unique.

• We offer benefits