Senior Backend Engineer (Python) (Remote)

Scalera, an ETH Zurich spin-off, seeks a Senior Backend Engineer to build and scale its AI-powered procurement platform for the European construction industry. This fully remote role focuses on developing Python services, APIs, and data pipelines while collaborating closely with leadership.

The company is developing AI-driven procurement software tailored for the European construction sector, handling significant tender volumes for numerous clients. This position involves joining a compact engineering group to create backend services and APIs, working directly with executive leadership to expand the platform's reach across Europe.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of projects by engaging with users to grasp their needs and deliver functional solutions.
• Develop and upkeep Python backend services that integrate AI capabilities into live environments.
• Create and manage APIs and integrations that link AI systems with frontend interfaces and third-party platforms.
• Construct data pipelines to handle, standardize, and process extensive amounts of structured and unstructured construction data.
• Participate in code reviews, testing, and CI/CD workflows alongside team members.
• Propose and explore novel AI methods to address practical procurement challenges.

Requirements

• Minimum of four years in backend engineering, primarily using Python.
• Proven expertise in designing APIs and working with RESTful architectures.
• Practical production experience with FastAPI or Django.
• Strong grasp of databases, data modeling, and query optimization techniques.
• Familiarity with CI/CD processes and a commitment to code quality and maintainability.
• Ability to navigate ambiguous situations, prioritize tasks, and deliver results without complete clarity.
• Interest in AI/ML systems and their operational behavior in production.
• Effective communication skills and a collaborative team mindset.

Nice to have

• Experience with GCP services such as Cloud Run, BigQuery, or Pub/Sub.
• Background in data-intensive or AI-integrated product architectures.
• Familiarity with AI developer tools like Cursor, Claude, or Copilot.
• Knowledge of B2B SaaS, construction technology, or procurement domains.
• German language proficiency (advantageous but not mandatory).

What the company offers

• Fully remote work arrangement.
• Compact team with minimal bureaucracy, allowing direct interaction with decision-makers.
• Competitive salary package.

About the company

Scalera operates as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, focusing on creating AI-powered procurement software for the European construction industry. The company handles substantial tender volumes for over 110 customers across Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. The team is small and fast-moving, working closely with users to apply genuinely new AI techniques to complex, real-world problems. They value engineers who are comfortable exploring, iterating, and discovering the right solution through experimentation.

• Small, fast-moving team that works closely with users.
• Apply genuinely new AI techniques to complex, real-world problems.
• Growing team looking for an engineer excited about building infrastructure behind intelligent procurement.
• Problems rarely solved with off-the-shelf tools.
• Value engineers who are comfortable exploring, iterating, and discovering the right solution through experimentation.