Backend Engineer (EdTech)

Job Description

About Us

At Addie, we believe college admissions is a crucial challenge with significant moral implications. Today, wealthier students are twice as likely to gain admission to top schools compared to their less-affluent peers with similar achievements. We see AI as a tool that can either widen or narrow this gap, and our mission is to ensure it narrows by highlighting every student's unique story and potential, regardless of their background.

We aim to revolutionize the admissions process by providing school counselors with AI-powered tools that illuminate each student's true story, creating a fairer and more equitable system. Our vision is a future where every student receives personalized, high-quality college guidance regardless of background.

As a Backend Engineer at Addie, you'll be integral in building the technology that makes this vision a reality. Your work will directly impact students' lives, helping them access the education they deserve. You'll join a small, collaborative team dedicated to making a meaningful difference, with the opportunity to shape the future of our platform from the ground up.

Why Join Addie?

• Make a Difference: Contribute to a mission that democratizes access to education and empowers students from all backgrounds to achieve their dreams.
• Shape the Future: Play a key role in defining the culture and technical direction of a rapidly growing startup.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a team of talented, passionate individuals dedicated to building transformative solutions.

Growth Opportunities: Expand your skills through challenging, meaningful projects and professional development.

Role & Responsibilities
As a Backend Engineer at Addie, you will be at the forefront of developing our platform, focusing on backend infrastructure, API integrations, and scalability. Your work will set the foundation for a robust, secure, and high-performing system that drives our mission forward.

• Backend Development: Design, build, and maintain scalable backend systems that support Addie’s AI-powered features.
• API Integration: Collaborate on integrating external APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Azure AI) to power AI-driven insights.
• Data Management: Develop secure data pipelines and ensure FERPA-compliant handling of sensitive information.
• Scalability & Performance: Optimize backend architecture for performance, ensuring the platform can grow seamlessly with increasing demand.
• Technical Collaboration: Work closely with frontend engineers and product teams to deliver a seamless user experience.
• AI Enablement: Implement backend components that enable AI-driven features, ensuring robustness and reliability.
• Code Quality: Champion best practices for clean, maintainable, and scalable code.

Requirements

Tech Stack
We are building a high-impact platform using a cutting-edge tech stack. Ideal candidates excel at transforming complex requirements into reliable backend solutions. Key technologies include:

• Programming Languages: Proficiency in Python. Experience with frameworks like FastAPI or Django is a plus.
• AI Tools & APIs: Familiarity with OpenAI, Azure AI, Amazon Bedrock, and Google Vertex APIs.
• Database Management: Expertise in relational and NoSQL databases.
• Cloud Platforms: Hands-on experience with AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.
• Security Practices: Ability to implement secure, FERPA-compliant systems.
  

What We’re Looking For

• Strong backend development expertise with a proven ability to design and deploy scalable systems.
• Familiarity with AI tools and APIs, with the ability to integrate them into practical, real-world applications.
• Experience with data management and secure handling of sensitive information.
• Adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative startup environment.
• Passion for education and a mission-driven approach to solving systemic challenges.
• Commitment to continuous learning and personal growth.

Nice to Have

• Knowledge of education tech or experience working on platforms for younger audiences.

Benefits

Make a Real Difference: You'll be directly contributing to a mission that matters – democratizing access to education and empowering students to achieve their dreams.

Be a Founding Member: Shape the culture and technical direction of a rapidly growing startup. Your work will have a lasting impact on the company's future.

Work with a Talented Team: Collaborate with a passionate and experienced team of entrepreneurs who are committed to building something truly special.

Learn and Grow: We offer opportunities for professional development and encourage continuous learning. You'll have the chance to expand your skills and work on challenging projects.

If you’re passionate about building impactful tech solutions in the education space, we’d love to hear from you!