Senior Backend Engineer, KI-Startup Köln, m/w/d

Role Summary

We are looking for someone who would like to help build a relevant product almost from the ground up and have real freedom of design.

Inventory factor is currently developing a platform that brings together operational processes, intelligent routing logic, data models, automation and AI-supported product development. For you this means: no narrow box, no tight corset, no role as “lead developer in the existing organizational chart”

but rather the opportunity to significantly shape architecture, product logic and technical standards.

If you enjoy building technical systems with real leverage, making quick decisions and taking responsibility not just for code but for the entire product, then this could be a great fit.

Important

• You don't just want to develop, you want to actually own a product from a technical point of view
• You have strong skills in architecture, system design and pragmatic product development
• You can translate complex requirements into clear, elegant technical solutions
• You think in systems, not just features
• You work independently, in a structured manner and with high quality standards
• You enjoy speed, responsibility and visible impact
• You can carefully weigh up long-term technical stability and short-term implementation strength
• You don't need a big company around you to perform strongly

Responsibilities

Develop and be responsible for the overall technical architecture of inventory factor => The system is only used by the team - so the backend is the largest and most important part

• Design core system logic for data, triggers, automation and routing
• Build the platform so that it can be developed quickly without ending in chaos
• Make technical decisions with a strong product focus instead of just implementing requirements
• Work out together with the founding team which technical levers have the greatest impact
• Technically lead external developers or freelancers and set quality standards
• Build a modern, pragmatic development environment with AI-supported workflows, high speed and clear quality standards
• Creating the technical foundation for a system that is scalable, robust and strategically valuable

Requirements

Nice to have

• Experience with platform products, automation systems or data-driven SaaS solutions
• Experience with API-first architectures, integrations and scalable backend structures
• Experience building small, high-performance tech setups
• Interested in AI-supported software development and modern product workflows
• Enjoy working in an environment with a lot of freedom and little unnecessary bureaucracy

Benefits

• Very high technical scope for design
• Real responsibility for architecture, product logic and technical direction
• The opportunity to build a relevant system almost from scratch
• Visible impact: Your decisions directly influence the product, speed and market potential
• Little politics, little administration, little overhead
• Quick decisions and direct connection to the founder
• Lots of freedom in choosing good technical solutions
• An environment in which strong developers are not thwarted, but are consciously made responsible
• Remote work with a high level of trust and real personal responsibility