Backend & Cloud Infrastructure Technical Lead Manager

About Beacon AI

We’re a fast-moving team of aviators, engineers, and operators on a mission to transform aviation with an AI platform that makes flying safer, more efficient, and more capable. Backed by top investors and having already secured a dozen Department of Defense contracts and worked with three major airlines, we’re flying through barriers and working on a mission that matters.

At Beacon AI, there are no silos or layers of overhead. Small, focused teams own what they build, ship fast, and learn even faster. Every line of code, data pipeline, or system we design pushes the boundaries of how humans and AI work together in the cockpit and beyond. If you thrive at the intersection of hard-tech ambition and mission urgency, you’ll build faster here than anywhere else.

Role Overview

Beacon AI is seeking a Backend and Cloud Infrastructure Technical Lead Manager to own our cloud footprint and spearhead major projects aimed at improving flight safety through advanced data streaming and API management.  We are looking for an experienced leader with deep expertise in cloud technologies and a proven track record in handling data-intensive applications, particularly in streaming data from aircraft and other mobile platforms to and from the cloud. You will be responsible for the planning, implementation and growth of the backend services involving large amounts of data in the cloud. You will need to flourish as part of a growing team and communicate effectively with other engineers, QA, and product management.The ideal candidate will thrive in a product-driven workplace and has a strong desire to build something from the ground up.

What you’ll do:

• Infrastructure Oversight: Plan and enhance the cloud infrastructure to support high-volume, mission-critical systems, ensuring robustness and scalability.

• Lead the Development and Management of all APIs: Design, implement, and maintain APIs for both internal and external data sources, including real-time data streaming from aircraft and support for web/iPad applications.

• Bulk Data Management: Oversee bulk data ingestion processes into AWS services, ensuring efficiency and security in data handling.

• Setup, and Maintain Beacon AI’s Cloud Infrastructure: Should be comfortable setting up cloud infrastructure using IaC tools like AWS CDK, with associated CI/CD and testing components.

• Advanced Troubleshooting: Provide expert-level troubleshooting and debugging for cloud applications, with a focus on uptime and reliability.

• Team Leadership: Guide and mentor a team of engineers in developing and deploying serverless applications, fostering an environment of innovation and high performance.

• Performance Optimization: Analyze and optimize system performance for applications interfacing with time series data and multimedia streams, ensuring high reliability and responsiveness.

• Data Security Practices: Implement and maintain rigorous data security practices and protocols to protect sensitive information and comply with industry standards and regulations.

What will make you successful:

• Extensive experience (8+ years) spanning both backend engineering and cloud infrastructure, with 2+ years in a lead/manager role.

• Deep Sense of Ownership: Demonstrates a firm commitment to end-to-end responsibility, from ideation through deployment and beyond, ensuring project success and user satisfaction.

• Comfort with Ambiguity: Thrives in uncertain and evolving environments, making sound decisions and progressing effectively without having every detail mapped out.

• Extensive Cloud Experience: Deep knowledge of AWS services, including AWS Lambda, API Gateway, AWS Cognito, DynamoDB, and IAM, necessary for robust serverless architecture implementation.

• Proven API Expertise: Demonstrated experience in building and managing REST APIs, especially in Node.js or similar environments.

• Data Handling Proficiency: Ability to manage large-scale data transfers and streaming efficiently and securely.

• Leadership Skills: Strong ability to lead across teams, mentor engineers, and drive alignment across backend and infra roadmaps.

• Critical Problem-Solving: A strong analytical mindset to troubleshoot issues and optimize the performance of high-traffic applications. Exhibits initiative to identify blockers and generate solutions independently, ensuring continuous project momentum and team productivity.

Bonus Points:

• Experience with DevOps and DevSecOps practices.

• Experience working with AWS Greengrass and IoT Core

• Experience working with low latency streaming applications

• Background in security engineering.

• AWS specialty certifications.

• Familiarity with GraphQL, TypeScript, and other modern development tools.

• Prior experience with aviation, nautical, or automotive robotics technology.

This is a hybrid role and requires working from our San Carlos, CA office at least three days a week, with the option to work remotely the remaining days.

Perks & Benefits for Full-Time Employees:

• Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: Enjoy peace of mind with our generous health benefits, with 80% of medical costs covered by the company for the employee and 25% for their dependents.

• Paid Time Off: Recharge and relax with 3 weeks of paid vacation, in addition to 13+ company-paid holidays each year.

• Connectivity Stipend: Stay connected with our cell phone benefit, ensuring you have the tools you need to excel in your role.

• Health and Wellness Allowance: Use this towards a gym membership or subscription to a meditation app, empowering you to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Financial Planning: Prepare for the future with our 401(k) program. While we currently do not offer matching, we are committed to enhancing this benefit in the future.

For nearly all roles, the following may apply:

At this time, due to United States Department of State regulations, we are only able to hire U.S. Persons. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident (U.S. citizen, legal immigrant with a 'Green Card', or a protected individual who has been granted permanent asylum or refugee status.) These aerospace restrictions mean that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future. All work must be performed in the United States.

Beacon AI provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, employer complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Employer expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.