Job Title : Backend Engineer (5+ years)

Location : TBD (Hybrid/Remote)

Employment Type : Full-time

Department : Engineering

Start Date : 1st April 2026

About Us :

Celebrating over fifteen years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics has established itself as a data-driven global consultancy that leverages social science research, data science, and technology to provide user-centric, context-specific solutions and advice to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 80+ professionals spread across Asia, Africa, USA and UK exemplify extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant.

Our team of data scientists apply agile programming and ICT tools in order to deliver responsive and practical data and digital solutions - making for an innovative, technology-oriented business model that sets us apart in the international development space.

The international business community is taking notice of this unique approach : in 2021 alone, Athena Infonomics was recognized on The Financial Times, Nikkei Asia, and Statistas High-Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2021 ranking, and was selected as one of The Economic Times and Statistas 2021 and 2022 India Growth Champions.

Role Overview :

You will build backend services and APIs that power Athena Infonomics/TolaData product workflows and AI-enabled capabilities (document knowledge base/RAG, natural-language analytics, and report generation). We use an AI-assisted delivery workflow : short requirements, AI-generated phased plans, rapid implementation iterations, strong review/testing gates, and deployability as a first-class requirement.

What you will do :

- Design and implement backend services and APIs that are modular and reusable across features.

- Integrate with structured and unstructured data sources : SQL databases, NoSQL (as needed), and object storage (e.g., S3).

- Build service plumbing needed for AI use cases (RAG retrieval services, orchestration endpoints, citation/source tracking).

- Implement correctness and safety guardrails (validation, auth boundaries, safe query patterns for analytics).

- Write automated tests and support CI/CD; ensure local behaviour matches cloud deployments.

- Participate in design reviews and technical decision-making; review AI-generated code changes critically.

Must-have skills :

- 5+ years backend engineering experience delivering production services.

- Strong in backend framework and REST API design (FastAPI or similar tools)

- Strong SQL and experience with Postgres/MySQL; comfort with schema design and query performance.

- Automated testing (unit/integration) and debugging/troubleshooting skills.

- Practical cloud like AWS, Azure understanding and container basics (Docker).

Nice-to-have :

- Experience with RAG/LLMs : embeddings, retrieval, vector stores, prompt orchestration.

- Experience with text-to-SQL approaches and analytics pipelines.

- Observability experience (structured logs, metrics, traces).

Success in the first 60-90 days :

- Deliver 1-2 phased backend increments for an AI use case with passing tests.

- Stand up a deployable service with clear configs, logging, and basic monitoring.

- Improve modularity/interfaces so other workstreams can reuse your services.

Additional Requirements :

- This position requires successful completion of a reference check and employment verification.

- The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described.

- Only candidates who have India work authorization will be considered.

Athenas Work Culture :

At Athena, we function in an outcomes-based work environment with flexible hours and a high level of autonomy. Professional development and thought leadership are key elements of our business model : we support our team members' professional growth through on-the-job training, and we encourage the cultivation of our colleagues personal brands through participation in panels, events, publications, and other thought-leadership opportunities. We embrace a transparent, open work environment with meaningful leadership pathways for those with inventive ideas and initiatives.

Athena Infonomics is an Equal Opportunities Employer :

Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

AI Proficiency and Responsible Use :

Proficiency in the responsible and sophisticated use of AI is a mandatory requirement for all roles, across all levels and functions at Athena Infonomics.