Staff Software Engineer (Backend & AI)

Our client helps small teams power big businesses with the must-have platform for intelligent marketing automation. Customers from over 170 countries depend on the Client’s mix of pre-built automation and integration to power personalized marketing, transactional emails, and one-to-one CRM interactions throughout the customer lifecycle.

We’re looking for a Staff Software Engineer to join our client’s Kraków Hub and provide technical leadership as its large-scale SaaS platform evolves. This role calls for a backend expert with deep Python/PHP experience who can advise teams on architecture, solve complex platform challenges, and help build reliable AI-powered products.

Backend engineering will be the primary focus of the role. You’ll also bring substantial, hands-on AI engineering experience: designing and delivering LLM integrations or agentic workflows in production, rather than only using AI assistants in day-to-day development.

You’ll report to the Engineering Leader in Kraków and work closely with engineering managers, engineers, product managers, and designers. The role is expected to focus on two product pods, or up to three where needed, while providing technical expertise on broader architectural questions.

Key takeaways:

Stack: Python, PHP, AWS, MySQL, Redis, DynamoDB, CI/CD, observability tooling, and AI/LLM-powered services

Salary: 31 000 - 37 000 PLN gross/month, Contract of employment (+10% annual bonus, 75% Creative Tax)

Working model: Hybrid, once a week in the office or remote with occasional office visits

Location: Krakow, ul. Konopnickiej

Recruitment process:

1. Call with MOTIFE recruiter (30 min)
2. Interview with the Engineering Leader (30-45 min)
3. Practical AI assessment focused on your approach, technical judgment, and responsible use of AI tools.
4. Final panel with a US-based Staff Engineer, the Director of Product, and the Product Design Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted technical advisor for teams in the Kraków Hub, setting direction on backend architecture, system design, and engineering standards.
• Design and improve scalable backend services, with particular emphasis on Python and awareness of the wider PHP-based platform.
• Architect and deliver AI-powered capabilities, including LLM integrations and agentic workflows that are reliable, maintainable, observable, and safe to operate.
• Work directly with product pods on priority initiatives, stepping into complex technical work when your hands-on expertise is needed.
• Identify performance, scalability, and architectural bottlenecks across the platform and help teams resolve them.
• Evaluate and introduce effective AI-assisted development practices, applying sound engineering judgment to how teams build, test, and review software.
• Partner with Engineering, Product, and Design to turn business goals into practical technical decisions.
• Mentor engineers through design discussions, pairing, and code reviews, raising the quality of technical decisions across the hub.
• Nice to have: Experience with React or Ember; a background in marketing automation or CRM; and familiarity with emerging AI engineering standards such as the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Requirements:

• 8+ years of hands-on software engineering experience, including meaningful technical leadership in complex SaaS products or distributed systems.
• Deep production backend experience, particularly in Python, and the ability to serve as an expert and advisor on backend design. Experience with PHP is valuable in the context of the existing platform.
• Strong system design skills and a track record of making architectural decisions that balance delivery speed, reliability, and long-term scalability.
• Advanced, hands-on AI engineering experience, such as building production LLM integrations, autonomous or agentic workflows, or systems that orchestrate multiple AI components. Experience limited to using ChatGPT, Claude, or coding assistants will not be sufficient on its own.
• The ability to explain technical trade-offs clearly, earn trust across teams, and influence decisions without direct management authority.
• Experience with AWS, CI/CD, observability, and operating production services at scale.
• Experience with data stores such as MySQL, Redis, DynamoDB, or similar technologies.

What we offer:

Health Benefits

1. Medical

• Full coverage for employees and their dependents through LUX MED. Employees have access to the “Premium” package, providing enhanced coverage and greater access to care.
• A client pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependents.

2. Dental

• No additional cost for dental coverage- integrated into LUX MED medical plan.

3. Vision

• Reimbursement for vision expenses up to 400 PLN every 2 years.

Mental Health Tools

• Access to TELUS Health EAP to provide support and resources in a time of need.

Additional Benefits

• 10% annual bonus
• 75% Creative Tax
• Vacation: 26 days.
• Home Office Stipend: One-time $150 equivalent home office stipend to outfit their home office.
• Calm Subscription: Premium subscription access to Calm, the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation.
• Hub Perks: Receive meal and transportation benefits when traveling to the Poland Hub.
• Baby Swag: If you have a baby or adopt, you’ll receive a company-branded first bath bundle.
• Sabbatical Program: After 5 years of employment, receive a month-long paid sabbatical leave, with a sabbatical leave bonus.