Staff Software Engineer, Backend

The Role

Gradial is looking for a Staff Software Engineer, Backend to take on some of the largest, most complex and ambiguous technical problems across our product. You'll own critical systems from loosely defined problem through architecture and production, building the backend foundations that enable Gradial to deliver increasingly powerful AI-driven workflows.

This is a highly hands-on IC role. You'll write production code, make consequential architectural decisions and create clarity where the path forward is not obvious. You'll work closely with engineering, product and design to turn ambitious ideas into reliable systems while raising the technical bar across the engineering team.

What You'll Own

• Lead large, complex technical projects from ambiguous problem definition through architecture, implementation and production
• Architect and build backend systems that power AI-driven workflows, including real-time inference, tool orchestration and long-running processes
• Drive technical direction for critical systems with a focus on scalability, reliability, performance and long-term maintainability
• Turn loosely defined product and technical problems into clear plans, making pragmatic decisions and driving execution without requiring a predefined path
• Build new systems from 0->1 while evolving existing architecture as our product, customers and engineering organization scale
• Establish patterns and abstractions that simplify complex systems and make the broader engineering team more effective
• Partner closely with product and design to shape solutions, identify technical opportunities and make thoughtful tradeoffs
• Raise the engineering bar through technical leadership, architecture, code reviews and mentorship while remaining deeply involved in implementation
• Own systems end to end, including testing, deployment, observability, reliability and ongoing operation in production

What We Need

• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience with significant experience building and operating backend systems
• Proven ability to independently lead large, technically complex projects in fast-moving or ambiguous environments
• Deep technical expertise in software architecture, distributed systems, algorithms and system design
• Track record of taking products or systems from 0->1 and making sound architectural decisions with incomplete information
• Ability to break down vague, high-variance problems into clear technical approaches and drive them through execution
• Strong product judgment and the ability to balance technical quality, speed and customer impact
• Experience designing systems for scalability, reliability, performance and maintainability in production
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical decisions and align engineers and cross-functional partners
• High ownership mindset with a willingness to work across boundaries and own both the problem and the solution

Nice to Have

• Experience building products or infrastructure involving AI/ML systems, LLMs or agentic workflows
• Experience in high-growth or early-stage startups where technical scope and priorities change quickly
• Proficiency with TypeScript or similar languages

Pay and benefits

The salary range for this position is $180,000 - $240,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

What we offer

• Performance-based annual bonus
• Meaningful equity awards
• Medical, dental & vision (fully covered for employees with 75% for dependents)
• Fertility & family-planning support
• 401k plan
• Unlimited PTO
• A beautiful Seattle office with a gym, sauna, and bike parking
• Free lunch three days a week in our HQ
• A front-row seat to building category-defining AI infrastructure

You'll thrive here if you

• Learn quickly, actively seek out new challenges, and regularly reconsider "how it's always been done."
• Want to have real impact with zero bureaucracy.
• Have an innate drive for being 1% better than the day before, building towards greatness.
• Embrace AI as a core tool for problem-solving, innovation, and scale.
• Show customer-obsession (internal or external), high ownership/accountability, and bias for action.
• Communicate clearly, directly, with curiosity, and assuming good intentions.
• Thrive in fast-paced, hyper-growth environments where building better > maintaining status quo.

AI Literacy & Interviewing Tools

• As an AI-first company, we prioritize AI literacy as a core competency in our hiring decisions.
• We're excited by candidates who thoughtfully apply AI tools in their work, but during interviews we're focused on you.
• This is your opportunity to show how you think, communicate, and solve problems.
• Over-reliance on AI-generated responses during the interview process (especially when it obscures your own voice) will result in disqualification.
• We want to understand your unique perspective and how you approach challenges, both with and without AI.

Gradial is dedicated to creating an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and all team members can grow. We offer competitive compensation, equity, flexible work hours, comprehensive benefits, and a collaborative culture focused on learning and impact.