Founding Engineer

About WathbaWathba is an early-stage Saudi startup building a platform for AI-enabled builders and independent product creators. We're now preparing to build our MVP and are looking for a senior, hands-on engineer to turn our approved architecture into a working, maintainable, production-ready platform.About the RoleWe're looking for a senior Full-Stack Platform Engineer to lead the technical implementation of Wathba's MVP and beyond.This is a high-ownership role for an engineer who can work independently across backend development, frontend/dashboard implementation, cloud deployment, third-party integrations, security, and operational readiness.You'll be the main engineer responsible for building the first version of the platform - implementing the architecture, making practical technical decisions, and establishing a strong foundation that future engineers can build on.This role is ideal for someone who has previously built production systems end-to-end and is comfortable working in an early-stage environment with high ambiguity, fast decisions, and direct ownership.Role MissionBuild the MVP of Wathba's platform based on the approved architecture and product direction. You'll implement the core system, integrate with external providers, deploy on GCP, and ensure the product is secure, reliable, observable, and maintainable from day one.Key ResponsibilitiesBackend & Platform DevelopmentBuild the core backend system for the MVPImplement secure, maintainable APIsDesign and implement the application data modelBuild authentication, authorization, and access-control flowsImplement API key management and secure request handlingBuild the foundation for usage tracking, service access, and operational visibilityImplement rate limiting, audit logging, error handling, and platform safeguardsStructure the backend to support future expansionIntegrationsBuild and maintain integrations with multiple external service providersHandle provider-specific auth, request formats, webhooks, callbacks, errors, and edge casesAbstract provider complexity behind clean internal interfacesDesign integration patterns so new providers can be added with minimal effortOwn the ongoing health of integrations — monitoring, failure handling, and updates as providers changeDocument integration behavior, limitations, operational notes, and failure scenariosDashboard & Internal ToolsBuild the web dashboard required for the MVPImplement practical user-facing and internal administrative interfacesKeep the dashboard clear, usable, and focused on core MVP workflowsBuild internal tools that help the team operate, monitor, and support the platformCloud Deployment & DevOpsDeploy the platform on Google Cloud PlatformSet up development, staging, and production environmentsConfigure CI/CD pipelinesManage secrets and environment configuration securelySet up logging, monitoring, alerts, and error visibilityImplement backup, recovery, and basic operational safeguardsEnsure the platform can be operated reliably by a small teamSecurity & ReliabilityApply secure engineering practices across the platformProtect sensitive credentials and member dataImplement proper access control and auditabilityDesign for traceability across important system actionsHandle external provider failures gracefullyBuild with maintainability, observability, and operational clarity in mindDocumentation & CollaborationWork from the architecture and design provided by Tech ConsultantsTranslate technical architecture into implementation tasksDocument technical decisions and implementation detailsMaintain clear API and operational documentationCommunicate progress, risks, blockers, and trade-offs clearlyCollaborate with the team on scope, priorities, and technical decisionsPrepare the system for future handover and team expansionRequired QualificationsStrong experience building production backend systemsStrong experience with API design, backend architecture, and platform-oriented system designExperience with TypeScript/Node.js, Python, Go, Java, or a similar backend stackExperience with relational databases, preferably PostgreSQLExperience integrating with third-party APIs in production environmentsExperience building secure authentication and authorization flowsExperience with API keys, access control, rate limiting, logging, and audit trailsAbility to build practical frontend/admin interfaces using React, Next.js, or similarExperience deploying and operating applications on cloud infrastructureExperience with Docker, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelinesStrong understanding of secure secrets management and environment configurationExpertise in spec-driven development - translating requirements and architecture into clear specs, implementation plans, and testable deliverablesStrong practical understanding of using AI tools effectively in software development while maintaining code quality, security, review discipline, and architectural controlAbility to work independently as the primary engineer on an MVPStrong problem-solving skills and comfort with ambiguityClear written communication and documentation skillsPreferred QualificationsExperience with GCP - especially Cloud Run, Cloud SQL, Secret Manager, Cloud Logging, Cloud Monitoring, Pub/Sub, or Cloud TasksExperience building developer platforms, API platforms, SaaS platforms, internal tools, or integration middlewareExperience with wallet systems, metering, billing, usage tracking, or transaction ledgersExperience with payment, identity, logistics, telecom, or government-related integrationsExperience with multi-tenant system designExperience with OpenAPI/Swagger and developer-facing API documentationExperience with background jobs, queues, retries, and idempotent operationsPrevious experience as a founding engineer, early-stage startup engineer, or senior engineer in a small product teamExpected OwnershipEnd-to-end ownership of the MVP implementation, including: backend development, database design and migrations, external service integrations, dashboard implementation, cloud deployment, CI/CD setup, logging and monitoring, security basics, API documentation, and technical/operational handover documentation.What Success Looks LikeTurn architecture and product direction into a working MVP and continue scaling itBuild a secure, maintainable platform foundationIntegrate with external providers despite imperfect documentation or changing requirementsDeploy and operate the system on GCPMake practical technical decisions without over-engineeringCommunicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholdersLeave behind a codebase and documentation future engineers can understand and extend