7+ years of hands‑on software engineering experience with strong system design skills (backend, distributed systems, API design).
Proficiency in at least one major backend language (Go, Python, TypeScript, or Java) and comfort reading code in others.
Solid understanding of how large language models (LLMs) work at a practical level — you don’t need to train models, but you should understand token limits, context windows, and why AI outputs can be unpredictable.
Experience using AI coding assistants (Cursor, Copilot, Claude Code, or similar) in your own development workflow — not just trying them once, but making them part of how you actually work.
Clear communication skills in English, with the ability to explain technical decisions to non-technical teammates and stakeholders.