Senior technical lead (.net / sql / llms / azure)

About The Role

We're looking for a hands-on Senior Technical Lead to own the backend of an AI-driven, data-heavy product built on .NET, spanning many integrations with AI capabilities built in. Working with the Client’s CTO, you'll be the main technical voice for the account, working closely with the client's CTO. This isn't a people-management role, but you'll mentor and support the engineers on your team. Getting involved early — before key decisions are locked in — you'll translate the client's vision into clear architecture, database schemas, integrations, and service boundaries, presenting trade-offs honestly and flagging risks while they're still cheap to fix. We want someone with strong technical opinions who can hold their own with a CTO, yet stays open to a better argument. The client makes the final call; your job is clear, trustworthy advice.

Responsibilities

• Own the backend design: Architect and build systems in C# and .NET / ASP.NET Core (APIs, services, integration layers), using async workflows, background jobs, messaging, event-driven patterns, caching, and performance tuning for high data volumes.
• Build AI into the product: Integrate LLMs, RAG, embeddings, vector stores, and agentic workflows — treating latency, token cost, data privacy, failure handling, and output validation as core design requirements.
• Set up the team's AI tooling: Build shared context, set up agents, and create reusable prompts and skills, tracking whether they actually save time.
• Keep quality high at speed: Rely on strong typing, clear contracts, automated testing, and observability rather than manual review alone.
• Build for production: Graceful failure handling, safety nets, and monitoring are part of finishing a feature. You'll be the main escalation point for major issues.
• Grow your team: Lead architecture and code reviews, mentor engineers, and set high standards.

Requirements

• 8–10+ years in software engineering, including technical leadership roles.
• Deep, hands-on C#, .NET / .NET Core, and ASP.NET Core knowledge.
• Strong backend and distributed systems design: REST APIs, microservices, complex integrations.
• High-volume data experience: SQL modeling, indexing, query optimization, async processing, message queues, event-driven systems, caching, performance tuning.
• Cloud and modern deployment (Azure or AWS).
• Practical AI integration experience with LLM APIs in production.
• Daily use of AI coding tools (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor) and a clear sense of their limits.
• Excellent communication with senior stakeholders.

Nice To Have

• Backend experience on AI-first products; hands-on RAG, vector databases, or agentic workflows in production.
• High-volume pipelines and brokers (Kafka, RabbitMQ, Azure Service Bus).
• Complex third-party integration ecosystems.
• A track record of bringing better AI-assisted workflows to a team.

What’s On Offer

• USD salary
• No probationary leave restrictions
• Exposure to building international products
• Flat hierarchy
• Medical coverage from day one
• Quarterly getaways and fun events
• Hybrid work model
• Flexible working hours