Senior Software Engineer, Backend

About NutrientAt Nutrient, we're revolutionizing how the world works with documents. Our tools transform static files into intelligent, secure workflows, empowering businesses to innovate faster and smarter. Trusted by thousands of organizations across 80 countries, including Fortune 500 companies and public sector leaders, our platform supports nearly a billion end users globally in industries where documents aren't just files, they're mission-critical.
About NutrientAt Nutrient, we're revolutionizing how the world works with documents. Our tools transform static files into intelligent, secure workflows, empowering businesses to innovate faster and smarter. Trusted by thousands of organizations across 80 countries, including Fortune 500 companies and public sector leaders, our platform supports nearly a billion end users globally in industries where documents aren't just files, they're mission-critical.
Your Role at NutrientWe're looking for a backend engineer who thinks about the database from the first line of code. Our customers run Document Engine with huge volumes of documents and annotations. At that scale, how the software uses the database decides whether the system flies or falls over. You find satisfaction in writing backend code that asks the database for exactly what it needs and nothing more. You design data models that stay fast as volumes grow, and you know when a problem should be solved in the application rather than by adding hardware. When scaling is needed, you know how to do that too. You work in an AI-native way: you hand research and implementation work to agents, review their output critically, and build tooling that makes you and the team faster.
What You'll Work OnExecute on the design and implementation of high-performance Elixir/Phoenix-based systems such as Nutrient's Document Engine and Document Web Services APIBuild features with efficient database usage at their core: well-designed schemas, lean queries, smart indexing, batching, and avoiding unnecessary round tripsFind and remove database bottlenecks in existing code by profiling query patterns, reading query plans and reworking data access where it mattersMake sure Document Engine performs well for customers with very large document and annotation volumes, whether in our managed cloud or in their self-hosted PostgreSQL setupsDesign and run safe, zero-downtime migrations as the product and its data growBuild systems and workflows that use AI to speed up our work, from agent-driven investigation of performance issues to automating repetitive engineering tasksOwnership for architecture, tools and services, contribute to product development and customer successCollaborate closely with a small, remote-first engineering team to ship features, debug hard problems, and continuously improve reliabilityMeet in person with the team periodically to align and reflectWhat You'll BringExperience in backend services and distributed systemsDeep, hands-on PostgreSQL experience in production: data modelling, query optimisation, indexing, transactions and concurrencyA track record of making applications use the database efficiently, for example by fixing N+1 queries, redesigning access patterns or reducing load through better data designExperience with PostgreSQL at scale: large tables, partitioning, replication, migrations on live systems and troubleshooting production incidentsFamiliarity with cloud environments (we use AWS) and containerised deployments; Kubernetes experience is a plus, not a requirementStrong coding

skills:
Elixir experience isn't required, we'll help you learnYou work AI-native: agents are part of how you research, investigate and ship code, and you stay fully accountable for what goes outA pragmatic approach to code: you appreciate clean architecture but know when good enough is the right callA culture of direct feedback: you speak up when something isn't right and take feedback just as wellWho Thrives HereCollaborators: You collaborate openly, listen actively, and prioritize team success over ego.
Hungry Learners: Rapid learning fuels progress and career growth.
Curious Thinkers: You dig deep to uncover the “why,” valuing understanding over simply being right.
Self-Starters: You take action without waiting for direction, turning obstacles into opportunities with creativity and persistence.
Owners: You take responsibility for solutions and outcomes, always looking for ways to improve what’s within your control.
Doers: You’re energized by progress, motivated to create meaningful impact, and eager to tackle challenges.
Why You'll Love Working Here...
Real platform ownership: You’ll help run and evolve the managed cloud behind Document Engine (cluster lifecycle, GitOps, and observability), not just ship services on top of it.
Modern stack end to end: Elixir and Phoenix for the product, Kubernetes with Terraform, Helm, and FluxCD for the infrastructure it runs on.
Fully remote and async-first: Minimal meetings, strong writing culture,