Backend Team Lead

About Us

Collaborative autonomy is how self-tasking teams of machines will solve hard human problems, and HavocAI is an unquestioned leader in collaborative autonomy. We set the standard for autonomous surface vessels for a wide range of defense and commercial maritime missions. Success requires us to grow quickly, and we’re looking for teammates who are passionate about solving hard problems, about pushing the envelope, and about preventing conflict and saving lives. Ambition is welcome to apply within.

About the Role

We are seeking a Backend Team Lead to lead the development of scalable, high-performance backend systems that power our autonomous platforms. In this role, you will lead a team of backend engineers while remaining hands-on in architecture and development. You will be responsible for designing and building highly concurrent, distributed systems in Go, setting technical direction, and ensuring reliable, secure, and performant backend services. You will work closely with frontend, platform, autonomy, and embedded teams to deliver systems that operate reliably in real-world, mission-critical environments. This role is ideal for someone who combines deep backend expertise with strong technical leadership, and thrives in fast-paced, high-ownership environments. What You’ll Do Technical Leadership and Team Ownership Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers, driving execution and technical excellence Set engineering standards, conduct code reviews, and guide architectural decisions Own backend roadmap and delivery in partnership with product and engineering leadership Foster a culture of ownership, quality, and continuous improvement Backend Architecture and Development Design, build, and maintain scalable, highly concurrent backend services in Go Architect distributed systems that support high throughput, reliability, and real-time operations Define service boundaries, APIs, and data models across systems System Performance and Reliability Optimize backend systems for performance, scalability, and resilience Identify and resolve bottlenecks in distributed systems and concurrency-heavy workloads Ensure systems meet high standards for uptime and operational reliability Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with frontend, platform, autonomy, and embedded teams to integrate services across applications and devices Support end-to-end system design from edge devices to cloud infrastructure Contribute to system-level architecture across the stack Security and Best Practices Enforce secure development practices across backend systems Maintain high standards for code quality, testing, and documentation What We’re Looking For 6+ years of experience in backend or distributed systems engineering Strong expertise in Go and building highly concurrent systems Proven experience leading or mentoring engineers (formal or informal leadership) Experience designing and operating distributed systems at scale Strong API design and system architecture skills Experience with Kubernetes and containerized environments Deep understanding of performance optimization, data structures, and system design Ability to drive projects from concept to production Nice to Have Experience in IoT, robotics, or distributed hardware systems Strong networking fundamentals and debugging experience Experience with AWS or cloud-based infrastructure Familiarity with embedded systems or hardware integration What Success Looks Like (12 Months) A high-performing backend team delivering reliably and consistently Scalable backend systems supporting real-world deployments Clear architectural standards and well-defined service boundaries Improved system performance, reliability, and maintainability Strong cross-team alignment across platform, autonomy, and product

Benefits

100% Employer paid Health, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your families Life Insurance (Employer Paid) Ability to participate in the companies 401k program (Matching) Unlimited PTO policy with an enforced 2 week minimum Equity Package Work / Home Office Stipend Global Entry 16 Week Paid Parental Leave Monthly Health and Wellness Stipend

Our Values

Innovation

We are driven to break new ground. Every day presents an opportunity to challenge the status quo, think boldly, and deliver advanced solutions that transform the future of defense technology.

Integrity

We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards, ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in all our actions and partnerships.

Mission-Driven

We are focused on achieving impactful outcomes that align with our core mission—protecting lives through innovation.

Forward-Leaning

We continuously seek out new opportunities and remain at the forefront of technological advancements. We embrace change and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.

Ownership of All Tasks

At HavocAI, no problem is too complex or too trivial. We believe that greatness comes from tackling the hardest challenges, but also in handling the smallest, sometimes thankless, tasks with the same level of commitment and care.

Servant Leadership

We lead by serving others, whether it’s supporting our employees, partners, or the broader community. Empowering those around us is key to achieving long-term success and making a lasting impact. HavocAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.