Sourcing Must Haves

• Principal-level backend software engineering experience, 8+ years, with demonstrable complexity

• Strong proficiency in Python, including async Python and FastAPI

• Experience designing and developing scalable backend architectures and APIs

• Expertise in complex distributed systems at production scale

• Proven ability to own full technical areas independently without oversight

• Experience building production-grade backend services supporting AI platforms

• Strong written communication skills for architecture documentation and design reviews

• Ability to mentor and raise engineering standards within junior/mid-level teams

• Experience collaborating closely with AI, Product, and Infrastructure teams

• Background developing software for regulated, security-conscious, or enterprise environments preferred

Sourcing Nice to Haves

• Experience with AI agent design and orchestration (e.g. LangChain, LangGraph)

• Familiarity with vector databases and embedding pipelines

• Prior experience as the most senior backend engineer in a team

• Experience in intelligence, security, or data enrichment platform engineering

Location Requirements

• Role is initially remote with willingness to travel to Abu Dhabi when required

• Future relocation to Abu Dhabi welcomed but not essential

• Candidates working close to Gulf Standard Time preferred for team collaboration

Other Preferences

• Focus on exceptional backend engineers rather than purely AI researchers

• Prioritise candidates with experience in cybersecurity, enterprise software, intelligence platforms, fintech, or highly scalable SaaS

• Emphasis on strong system design and software architecture skills over niche AI frameworks

• Recruitment via direct referral or selective agency channels; no open public listings

• Compensation benchmarked on technical capability, experience, candidate location, and market conditions; client willing to exceed for exceptional candidates