Staff AI Backend Engineer (f/m/d) | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Arbeitnow
• Location: Heidelberg
• Job Type: Full-Time

Job Description

paretos is the leading AI-based Decision Intelligence platform for effective, data-driven decisions across entire enterprises. Our Business Agents make it possible to evaluate complex data volumes, predict scenarios, and derive optimal actions - from demand forecasting and replenishment to strategic C-level decisions. All through a code-free interface, with no prior data science knowledge required. paretos is an inclusive company with equal opportunities for all. Our culture is guided by the principles of GUNG HO: meaningful work, shared goals, and mutual support. We are proud of a team of passionate, high-performing, and caring people of all genders, cultures, and backgrounds.

As Staff AI Backend Engineer, you work in a remote or hybrid setup in close collaboration with Product, Forward Deployed/AI Engineers, and Data Scientists. You operate as the technical anchor for our backend and agent platform — setting direction, raising the bar, and multiplying the impact of the engineers around you. We look forward to your application.

Tasks

As a Staff AI Backend Engineer, you own the technical backbone of our Decision Intelligence platform and the architecture that lets it scale. You set the direction for how we build scalable backend services that bring our forecasting and optimization models, agentic workflows, and our semantic data layer into productive use. You work AI-first: Claude Code or similar CLIs, MCPs, and custom skills are your standard toolkit, and you define how the rest of the team uses them. You think not only in terms of endpoints and databases, but in customer value, product impact, and adoption - and you are relentless about strengthening the system, not just solving the task at hand.

• With a strong product mindset, you set technical direction: defining how we measure feature adoption, instrumenting usage patterns, and steering the roadmap with Product and FDE — accountable to outcomes, not output.
• Scalable backend services in Python (FastAPI, Pydantic) for agent workflows, forecasting, and replenishment are yours to architect, build, and operate — including the decisions, trade-offs, and standards behind them.
• Clean API and service contracts between platform, agents, ML models, frontend, and customer systems (ERP, BI, planning tools) are designed by you, with robustness, observability, and reliability as first-class properties.
• Our semantic data layer — the foundation for accurate forecasts and precise agent responses — is yours: PostgreSQL modeling, dbt transformations, pipelines, caching, and retrieval, built to scale across customers and use cases.
• How we integrate LLM and agent systems into the backend is defined by you: tool use, function calling, RAG pipelines, eval frameworks, guardrails, and production deployment — setting the patterns and quality bars the team builds against.
• Driving our AI-first engineering culture is central: Claude Code, AI-assisted development, and subagents are part of your daily toolkit, and you evolve our internal setup (CLAUDE, hooks, skills, plan/execute/review loop, plugins, docs) so the team ships faster and safer.
• Ambiguous business and customer requirements get translated into coherent technical strategy with FDEs and Product, making pragmatic trade-offs between speed, scalability, and maintainability — explained clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Prototyping fast and close to the user, you put ideas into FDEs' and customers' hands in days, gather feedback autonomously, iterate on the real workflow, and decide from actual usage what to harden and roll out.
• Through code and design review, mentoring, documentation, and standards, you raise the engineering bar — growing the people around you and making the system more resilient over time.

Requirements

• 8+ years as a Backend, Software, or AI Engineer in a product-oriented environment, with a track record of leading the design and delivery of complex systems — ideally in a product or SaaS context; startup (0→1) experience very welcome.
• Larger parts of a tech organization have been yours end-to-end: significant services, domains, or platform areas — from architecture and delivery to operation, reliability, and on-call, not just individual features.
• Deep backend expertise across Python (FastAPI, Pydantic), clean and durable API design, async programming, PostgreSQL and Redis, Docker, and mature CI/CD — at a level where you define standards rather than follow them.
• Proven in agile, fast-moving teams: operating inside sprints, iterative shipping, and continuous feedback, you keep quality high while moving fast.
• Demonstrated technical leadership: you've owned the architecture of non-trivial systems, made high-stakes trade-offs, and guided multiple engineers through ambiguity — without formal authority.
• A strong product mindset drives you: not just "How do I build this?" but "What for, for whom, and how will we know it has impact?" — thinking in users, adoption, and chains of impact.
• Production-grade LLM and agent experience: prompt engineering, tool use/function calling, RAG, eval frameworks, guardrails, and deploying LLM-powered features real users depend on.
• Solid command of cloud infrastructure (ideally AWS), including Kubernetes and Infrastructure-as-Code with Terraform — you design, reason about, and operate this stack confidently, deciding where complexity belongs.
• A very high level of ownership, comfort with ambiguity, and the judgment to know when to go deep versus delegate, document, or simplify.
• Clear, compelling communication, technical and non-technical, with low ego — building alignment, writing things down, and making others better.
• Fluent English

Benefits

• You receive the hardware setup you need to unlock your full potential.
• You use your personal learning budget (2000€ per year) to continuously develop yourself.
• Flexible working hours: you work when it suits you best.
• You receive a monthly benefit budget of 60€ that you can use however fits you best — whether that's Urban Sports Club, a mobility budget for fuel, public transport or the Deutschlandticket, or simply gift cards from your favorite shop. It's entirely up to you.
• A rich selection of snacks and drinks is available to you free of charge in the office at all times.
• You get direct access to frontier AI developments and learning sessions in close exchange with our product development.
• You complement a highly qualified and motivated team of paretoneers who get things done and have fun doing it.
• You take part in our quarterly Hacky Days, full of creativity and new ideas.
• We regularly host professional and social team events, both online and on site.
• If you are a member of the paretos Dog Club, you are welcome to bring your four-legged friend to the office.
• In the office, you can prove your barista skills and have coffee conversations with other paretoneers. Maybe you'll be crowned "paretos Office Barista of the Year" at our Christmas party.

Transparency notice: We use AI tools to pre-screen applications. However, the decision on who we meet is always made by us – not by the algorithm.

paretos is an inclusive company with equal opportunities for all. We explicitly encourage you to apply even if you don't meet 100% of the requirements.

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Expert Career Tips for Staff AI Backend Engineer (f/m/d) Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Staff AI Backend Engineer (f/m/d), you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Staff AI Backend Engineer (f/m/d) requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

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The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Heidelberg, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Staff AI Backend Engineer (f/m/d) position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.