The Role: Founding Backend (Java) Engineer
We're looking for a Founding Backend (Java) Engineer to join us early and help shape our infrastructure from the ground up. You'll work closely with technical founders to build resilient, performant, and secure systems in a cloud-native, PCI-compliant environment.
This isn't just another role—it's a rare opportunity to architect the core of something truly groundbreaking from day one, collaborating with a small, elite team to define how we build and scale the systems that power everything behind the scenes.
What You'll Do
Own the Core Backend
Help lead and shape our backend platform from first principles. As one of three founding backend engineers, you'll have end-to-end ownership—from design and development to deployment and monitoring.
* Architect and implement scalable, high-performance systems in modern Java using microservices and lambdas.
* Build, deploy and monitor production-grade APIs to power our mobile and web apps and iterate on your own code with full lifecycle ownership.
* Leverage AWS services in a fully cloud-native architecture.
* Integrate with payment processors, card networks, and third-party services, with security-first design.
* Help define, implement and maintain engineering standards, tooling, and technical strategy.
* Use AI-powered code tools to boost development velocity while maintaining quality and precision.
* Collaborate closely with product and frontend engineers in a fast-paced, high-trust team.
Must-Have
* Experience:
5+ years of backend engineering experience, including deep Java expertise.
* Founder-Level Thinking
: Bias for action and ownership—you solve, ship, and refine without hand-holding. Pragmatic and decisive when it comes to build vs. buy, MVP vs scale.
* Thrives in Ambiguity
: You're comfortable with the unclear—when it's not obvious, you dig in and make it obvious. Focused on outcomes, not ceremony.
* AI Code Builder Pro:
Hands-on experience using AI-assisted development tools to increase velocity.
* Experience with modern Java and microservice architectures (Micronaut, GraalVM, JUnit, testcontainers).
* Solid grasp of REST and GraphQL APIs, event-driven systems, and distributed backend patterns.
* Expertise working in AWS.
* Security-aware and thoughtful about compliance from the first line of code.
* Startup Experience:
Background in high-growth startups or 0→1 technical environments.
Nice to Have
* FinTech or payments industry experience.
* Exposure to PCI DSS or regulated data environments.
* Experience scaling backend systems for mobile-first apps.
* Familiarity with GraphQL, CI/CD tooling, and observability best practices.
Salary & Benefits
* Excellent Salary
: Competitive salary reflecting your expertise and foundational role.
* Equity Options
: A stake in the company—your chance to grow with us as we redefine the future.
* Hybrid Work
: At least 3 days in our Dublin office, blending collaboration and flexibility.
* Extended Remote Work on Request
: Need more remote time? We're open to making it work.
* Passionate Geek Squad
: Work alongside a team of driven, brilliant minds who live and breathe innovation.
More on being a founding team member at Grand:
Who You Are
You're a builder at heart—pragmatic, principled, and deeply technical. You thrive in ambiguity, crave ownership, and love solving tough backend problems with sharp code and sharp judgment.
You're not interested in politics or process. You care about infrastructure that works, code that lasts, and shipping that matters. You're based in Dublin (or ready to be), and excited to work face-to-face with people who are all-in on building something legendary.
If building the financial rails of tomorrow with a clear mission, high autonomy, and a top-tier team sounds like your kind of challenge—let's talk.