Senior Backend Engineer (+ Equity) at Caplight
Join Caplight as a Senior Backend Engineer to architect the data infrastructure powering private market investing. You will design core systems, develop LLM-driven data pipelines, and build AI-native workflows that bring transparency to billions in live order volume, helping the world's leading institutional investors make high-stakes decisions with real-time intelligence.
About the role
Build the "Bloomberg Terminal for private markets" for a cash-flow positive startup already handling billions in live order volume for top-tier institutional investors. High-ownership role working directly with the CTO to evolve a modular, event-driven architecture using modern AI tooling and advanced data pipelines. Join a fast-moving, 15-person team in San Francisco where your technical decisions will directly shape the execution infrastructure modern VC investing runs on.
Responsibilities
- Design and own core backend systems and APIs that ingest, structure, and enrich fragmented data using LLM-powered pipelines.
- Develop and maintain an MCP server to enable institutional clients to interact with private market data through AI-native workflows.
- Collaborate with the CTO on system design, evolving the architecture toward modular services that support institutional-grade speed and reliability.
Requirements
- 4+ years of backend-focused experience, ideally at an early-stage startup, with deep proficiency in TypeScript or typed functional languages like Rust or Haskell.
- Proven track record of shipping production-grade systems and contributing to high-level architectural decisions rather than just implementing feature specs.
- Local to the San Francisco Bay Area and excited to work in a high-velocity, in-person environment at least 3 days per week.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate should have a strong background in software engineering, a passion for solving complex problems, and a commitment to excellence in their craft. They should also be comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and be eager to learn and adapt to new technologies.
Skills
- Strong understanding of backend development principles and practices.
- Experience with TypeScript or typed functional languages like Rust or Haskell.
- Knowledge of modern AI tooling and data pipelines.
- Experience with modular, event-driven architectures.
Benefits
Caplight offers a competitive salary and equity package, along with a range of benefits including health insurance, retirement savings plans, and flexible work arrangements.
Pay
Not disclosed.
Schedule
Flexible work schedule to accommodate the needs of the fast-paced, high-velocity environment.
Benefits
Competitive salary and equity package, health insurance, retirement savings plans, and flexible work arrangements.
Contact
For more information about this opportunity, please contact Jack or Jill.