Software Architect

Sobek AI (Headquarters: Seattle, WA)

Backend Cloud Architecture Distributed Systems SaaS Multi-tenant FastAPI Node.js Python JavaScript TypeScript AWS Kubernetes CI/CD Security Microservices API Design Hybrid Startup Back End Engineer Staff Engineer

**Company Overview:**
Sobek AI works with networks of research institutes, manufacturers, and pharmaceuticals leaders on frontier life science problems—where collaboration across organizational and IP boundaries is critical to innovation. Our agentic AI solution captures emerging best practices and learnings across these networks and delivers them to users for workflow evaluation, monitoring and continuous improvement. We are currently delivering on multi-million dollar contracts for R&D in mRNA and RNA vaccines, and for public health and emergency coordination, with plans to expand into broader life sciences and drug development. We offer an open, secure, and customizable platform focused on co-innovation in life sciences.

**Role Description:**
As a Software Architect at Sobek AI, you will take ownership of the backend and cloud architecture for our multi-tenant SaaS platform. You will be responsible for designing scalable, secure, and maintainable systems, making key technology decisions, and guiding the engineering team in implementation.

**Responsibilities:**
*   Define and own the overall backend and cloud infrastructure architecture (AWS, Kubernetes).
*   Design and oversee the implementation of scalable, multi-tenant SaaS solutions using technologies like FastAPI (Python) and/or Node.js (TypeScript/JavaScript).
*   Establish and enforce best practices for CI/CD, security, monitoring, and infrastructure-as-code.
*   Collaborate with ML/AI engineers and product teams to ensure seamless integration of AI features and robust data handling.
*   Lead technical design discussions and mentor other engineers.
*   Ensure the platform meets rigorous IT, security, and compliance requirements for enterprise and life science customers.

**Requirements:**
*   5+ years of experience designing, building, and operating complex distributed systems in production.
*   Deep expertise in backend development with strong proficiency in Python (FastAPI experience a plus) OR JavaScript/TypeScript (Node.js).
*   Extensive experience with cloud platforms (AWS strongly preferred) and container orchestration (Kubernetes).
*   Solid understanding of microservices architecture, multi-tenancy, database design (SQL/NoSQL), and API design.
*   Proven experience with CI/CD pipelines, monitoring tools, and security best practices.
*   Startup-ready mindset: Comfortable with ambiguity, rapid iteration, taking ownership, and making high-impact technical decisions.
*   Experience building SaaS platforms or working in regulated industries (like life sciences or healthcare) is a plus.

**Work Arrangement & Benefits:**
*   This is a full-time, hybrid role requiring 2-3 days onsite per week in Seattle, WA.
*   Competitive salary ($140k - $190k) and equity with significant upside potential.
*   Company-paid health insurance for you and your dependents.
*   Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position at this time.