Senior Software Engineer

About the RoleLifeDNA is seeking a Senior Software Engineer located in the United Arab Emirates who thrives on autonomy and can transform high-level projects into well-architected solutions. You'll receive project objectives rather than detailed PRDs, and you'll be trusted to break down complex initiatives, make technical decisions, and deliver results independently.What You'll DoOwn features end-to-end: Take high-level project goals and independently decompose them into executable tasks, technical designs, and implementation plansDrive technical decisions: Evaluate trade-offs, select appropriate technologies, and design scalable solutions without requiring detailed specificationsLeverage modern AI-powered development tools: Use tools like Cursor, Claude Code, and other AI assistants to accelerate development, refactor code, and solve complex problems efficientlyBuild across the stack: Develop backend services, data pipelines, and frontend features using Python, SQL, and TypeScriptArchitect and deploy cloud infrastructure: Design, build, and maintain AWS-based systems with a focus on reliability, scalability, and cost-effectivenessSet your own course: Identify gaps, propose solutions, and execute with minimal oversightWhat We're Looking ForRequired SkillsStrong autonomy and problem decomposition: Proven ability to take ambiguous projects and break them into clear, actionable work without requiring prescriptive requirementsModern development workflow: Proficiency with AI-powered development tools (Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, etc.) and ability to use them effectively to enhance productivityPython expertise: Strong Python development skills for backend services, data processing, and automationSQL proficiency: Experience designing schemas, writing complex queries, and optimizing database performanceTypeScript capability: Solid TypeScript/JavaScript skills for building modern web applicationsAWS experience: Hands-on experience with AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS, CloudFormation/CDK, etc.) and cloud architecture patternsMindset & ApproachSelf-directed: You don't wait to be told what to do—you identify what needs to be done and do itTool-savvy: You stay current with development tools and workflows, embracing AI assistants as force multipliers rather than crutchesPragmatic: You balance perfect with done, shipping iteratively while maintaining code qualityOwnership mentality: You take responsibility for outcomes, not just outputsNice to HaveExperience with infrastructure as code (Terraform, CDK, CloudFormation)Familiarity with containerization (Docker, ECS, Kubernetes)Background in data engineering or analyticsExperience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practicesTrack record of mentoring or technical leadershipOur Ideal CandidateYou've moved beyond needing detailed tickets and specifications. When given a project like "build a system to process customer data more efficiently," you'll:Ask clarifying questions about business objectives and constraintsResearch and propose technical approachesBreak the work into logical phasesBuild, test, and deploy the solutionDocument and hand off when neededYou see AI coding assistants as powerful tools that augment your expertise, not replace your judgment. You know when to trust their suggestions and when to push back.What Success Looks LikeFirst 30 days: You've taken ownership of your first feature and deployed code that has made it to the productionFirst 90 days: You've taken ownership of a project and are the go-to person for that specific project or area of expertiseFirst year: You're driving multiple projects autonomously, influencing technical direction, and potentially mentoring others