Lead Backend Engineer (f/m/x) API & Platform

Stellenbeschreibung:

Lead Backend Engineer (f/m/x) API & Platform

Location: Hamburg, Hybrid (2–3 days/week onsite). 30 Days Vacation. English B2 required.

Are you enthusiastic about intelligent and effective software solutions to the energy transition? Join suena energy as a Senior Backend Engineer and become a founding member of our new platform team. Shape complex backend systems and APIs that integrate data, analytics, and optimization for real‑time energy trading.

suena energy is a green tech startup specializing in algorithmic energy trading for energy storage systems and renewables.

Our vision: a world where clean energy is used reliably, economically, and intelligently. Our AI‑powered software maximizes the revenues of large‑scale energy storage and renewable assets on European short‑term power markets—while minimizing risk.

We’re a team of 38 people, combining a warm, supportive team culture with true startup drive. Following our successful Series A, we’re now building a dedicated platform integration team from scratch—relieving our modeling and data science teams from operational bottlenecks. As one of the first Senior Engineers, you’ll have real ownership, direct impact, and the chance to shape our technical standards and team culture.

Quick Check: Is this your next Engineering Playground?

Tech Stack: Python (Django/FastAPI), PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB, Redis, Celery, Docker, AWS, GitLab CI/CD, Sentry, Grafana
Your Focus: Scalable API and backend architecture, event‑driven systems, new feature development, legacy API improvements, secure user management
Team: Newly formed platform squad with two Senior Engineers, one Junior Engineer, and one Modelling expert transitioning from the Modelling team, direct CTO access, collaborative culture, async‑friendly, regular pair programming
Product: Advanced energy trading & optimization platform, real‑time APIs, data‑driven, ML‑integrated, high complexity
Who thrives here: Senior backend engineers with leadership ambition, cloud & API experience, and a love for robust, scalable systems
Must‑haves: 5+ years backend experience, cloud deployment, API authentication & authorization, zero‑downtime deploys, experience with user management systems, security mindset
Dealbreakers: No cloud/API/auth experience, mainly CRUD web app background, desire to work fully solo

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and evolution of suena’s backend and API infrastructure—ensuring scalability, performance, and reliability as our platform grows.
Build, optimize, and maintain robust APIs and API‑driven data integrations that connect real‑time trading, analytics, and forecasting engines.
Drive automations to streamline data flows and system processes across the platform.
Mentor and support a growing engineering team, setting technical standards and driving best practices in architecture, testing, and deployment.
Collaborate closely with data science, modelling, and product teams to bring complex analytics and optimization into production.
Balance new feature delivery and legacy system improvements, always with a focus on security, data integrity, and high availability.
Design, implement, and continuously improve secure user management systems, including authentication, authorization, and role‑based access controls.

Qualifications

5+ years’ experience in backend development, ideally with Python/Django or FastAPI, and complex, data‑driven systems (e.g. energy, finance, IoT, trading).
Confident designing and scaling APIs, databases (PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB), and distributed/cloud‑based architectures (AWS preferred).
Proven track record leading teams or projects; strong mentoring, code review, and technical direction skills.
Hands‑on with DevOps, CI/CD, Docker, async workflows (Celery, Redis), and modern testing/monitoring setups.
Security‑first mindset: experience implementing authentication, authorization, and reliable, zero‑downtime deployments.
Pragmatic, collaborative, and proactive—comfortable with both greenfield engineering and legacy code refactoring.
Excellent communication skills in English (B2/C1); able to translate technical challenges for cross‑functional teams.
Dealbreakers: No cloud/API/auth experience, no production backend ownership, no appetite for technical leadership.

Benefits

Shape the Future: Help drive the energy transition with us! Join a booming market, real startup spirit, and make your mark in sustainability.
Connecting & Co‑Creating: Strategy off‑sites (like Denmark 2024) and onsite weeks for real collaboration and shared ideas.
Work Your Way: Home office and flexible hours – you know what works best for you and your team.
Team Spirit: Yoga, shared lunches, after‑work fun – we support each other and keep the vibe strong. Barista, DJ, guitarist included – we can’t wait to discover your hidden talent!
Fair & Transparent: Clear structures, democratic decisions, and a feedback culture where your voice counts.
Body & Mind: Urban Sports Club membership, wellbeing check‑ins, and mental health support – your energy matters.
New Office Vibes: 10th‑floor office with rooftop terrace, canteen, great views, ergonomic desks, hardware of your choice, and pet‑friendly!
Sustainable Extras: Deutschlandticket, FutureBens, and more – supporting your mobility and future.

Application

We look forward to receiving your application, earliest start as soon as possible. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out – your contact is Kathi (Interim Talent Partner).

You’ll hear back from us within 5 working days of your application. We value your time and want to make the process as transparent as possible. Once we receive your application, we’ll send a confirmation email outlining the next steps and what you can expect from our interview process.

Equal Opportunity

suena energy is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and reject any form of discrimination. It is important to us to create an inclusive environment for all our team members. We particularly emphasise that our call for applicants is addressed to all genders. The integration of people with disabilities is an opportunity and not a problem for us, and we welcome their application.