Why This Job is Featured on The SaaS Jobs
This backend engineering role stands out in the SaaS ecosystem because it sits at the intersection of product software and high-stakes operational data. Beacon AI is building a platform delivered to real customers in aviation and government contexts, which tends to impose clearer expectations around reliability, observability, and change management than many early-stage SaaS products.
For a SaaS career path, the work maps closely to durable platform skills: designing APIs that serve multiple clients, building and integrating data pipelines, and supporting production systems where performance and maintainability matter. Collaboration with product partners also mirrors how mature SaaS teams translate customer needs into backend capabilities, creating experience that transfers across B2B software domains.
The role is best suited to an engineer who wants meaningful ownership within a small team structure and who values learning through code review and established patterns rather than greenfield experimentation alone. It fits someone comfortable working across services, data sources, and operational concerns, and interested in applying backend fundamentals in a domain where correctness and uptime are not abstract metrics.
The section above is editorial commentary from The SaaS Jobs, provided to help SaaS professionals understand the role in a broader industry context.
Job Description
About Beacon AI
We’re a fast-moving team of aviators, engineers, and operators building an AI platform to make flying safer, more efficient, and more capable. Backed by top investors, we’ve secured a dozen Department of Defense contracts and partnered with major airlines to deliver mission-critical systems. We operate without silos or heavy processes. Small, focused teams own what they build, ship quickly, and learn fast, pushing the boundaries of how humans and AI work together in aviation.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Backend Software Engineer to join our team and help build the backend systems that power our flight safety platform. In this role, you will work closely with senior engineers and product partners to design, build, and maintain backend services, APIs, and data pipelines. You’ll contribute to production systems, grow your backend engineering skills, and play a meaningful role in supporting mission-critical, real-world applications.
What You’ll Do
Design, implement, and maintain backend services and APIs used by web and mobile applications.
Work with senior engineers to build reliable, scalable backend systems in production environments.
Integrate with internal and external data sources, including real-time and batch data pipelines.
Collaborate with product managers and cross-functional partners to deliver backend features that support user-facing functionality.
Participate in code reviews and follow established backend best practices and architectural patterns.
Help ensure system reliability, performance, and maintainability through testing, monitoring, and documentation.
What Will Make You Successful
2+ years of experience building backend systems, or equivalent experience through internships, projects, or coursework.
Experience with at least one modern backend language such as Python or JavaScript/TypeScript (Node.js).
Familiarity with designing or consuming APIs and working with databases or data stores.
Exposure to production environments and an understanding of reliability, performance, and security fundamentals.
Strong problem-solving skills and eagerness to learn from feedback and mentorship.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.
Bonus Points
Passion for aviation and a desire to improve air travel efficiency and safety.
Exposure to data pipelines, real-time data systems, or distributed systems concepts.
Interest in machine learning, data-intensive systems, or large-scale data processing.
Familiarity with cloud platforms, CI/CD workflows, or DevOps concepts.
Work Location
This is a hybrid role based in San Carlos, CA, with 3+ days per week onsite and the option to work remotely on remaining days.
Perks & Benefits (Full-Time Employees)
Healthcare: 100%* of employee medical premiums covered; 25% for dependents
Time Off: 3 weeks PTO plus 13+ paid company holidays
Stipends: Monthly phone and wellness benefits
401(k): Offered (no current employer match, but we are committed to enhancing this benefit in the future).
Due to U.S. export control regulations, we can only hire U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted asylum or refugee status). We are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa transfers. All work must be performed in the United States.
Beacon AI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit harassment or discrimination of any kind in the workplace and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
