Software Engineer

About us
Aethel Defense is an early-stage AI security startup. We build the tools companies rely on to keep their AI products safe, secure, and trustworthy. We're small, moving fast toward our first customers, and looking for an engineer who wants real ownership from day one. New grad, self-taught, or ten years in, we don't care about the badge. We care about what you can build and whether you can prove it.
The role
As a Software Engineer, you'll work across the whole stack: a TypeScript and Node.js backend, a PostgreSQL data layer, a modern cloud deployment, and the React web app our customers use. You won't be handed narrow tickets. You'll own features end to end, from database to UI, and your code will reach production fast. This is a high-trust, remote-first role. You're comfortable making decisions, writing your own tests, and caring about quality and security, because that's the business, we're in.
What you'll do
Build and ship full-stack features in TypeScript across our API, database, and web app
Design and evolve PostgreSQL schemas and the data layer behind the product
Build clean, fast, usable interfaces in React
Deploy to a modern cloud stack and keep CI/CD healthy
Write the automated tests that let us move fast without breaking what matters
Help shape the product and the engineering culture as one of the first hires
What we're looking for
Proof you can build. A portfolio, a GitHub, shipped side projects, open-source work, a CTF record, something you've put in front of real users. Evidence over credentials. No degree or years-of-experience requirement
Real fluency in TypeScript / JavaScript and Node.js, and strong engineering fundamentals
Backend comfort: REST APIs, relational databases (PostgreSQL), SQL, data modeling
Front-end skill with React (ideally Next.js)
A security mindset: you think about what can go wrong, and you test for it
Self-direction. You do your best work with ownership, not a backlog someone else grooms for you
Nice to have
Interest or experience in AI / LLM applications
Background in cybersecurity or application security
Experience with cloud platforms, serverless, or CI/CD pipelines
You've shipped something end to end that you can prove
Compensation & logistics
$80,000 to $120,000 base depending on skill, plus meaningful early-stage equity
Fully remote, full-time
Direct work with the team, genuine ownership, and a front-row seat as we grow
Background Check
All selected candidates go through rigorous background screening prior to employment due to sensitivity of work.

Work arrangement
Yes