Job Description – Fractional CTO (Backend & Architecture Lead)Type: Part-time / FractionalExperience: 5+ years (Backend-heavy)Location: Remote / HybridRole Duration: Ongoing (8–20 hrs/week)
About the Role
We’re looking for a Fractional CTO who can own the entire technical architecture of our product—from taking a PRD and converting it into a scalable system design, to guiding backend developers with clear documentation, code structure, and execution steps. You will act as the technical backbone of the product, ensuring that engineering moves fast, clean, and securely.
Key Responsibilities
1. Product-to-Architecture Ownership
- Convert PRDs and business requirements into full system architecture (backend-first).
- Define data models, APIs, workflows, user flows, and integration points.
- Build scalable, modular, and future-proof backend architecture.
- Create low-level technical specifications for the engineering team.
2. Backend Leadership
- Recommend and define best-fit tech stack (Node, Django, Go, etc.) based on product use case.
- Set up code structure, repository architecture, environment configs, deployment pipelines, and security protocols.
- Review backend code, advise on optimizations, and ensure industry-standard practices.
3. Engineering Execution Guidance
- Break architecture into clear, actionable development steps for engineers.
- Conduct weekly technical reviews, unblock developers, and provide solutions.
- Mentor junior engineers and ensure timely execution without compromising quality.
4. DevOps & Infrastructure
- Architect infrastructure on AWS/Azure/GCP.
- Oversee deployment setup, CI/CD, monitoring, logging, backups, and scaling.
- Ensure reliability, uptime, and security compliance.
5. Documentation & Processes
- Document all architecture, APIs, modules, workflows, and engineering SOPs.
- Establish engineering standards, code reviews, and sprint structures
Must-Have Skills
- 5+ years of backend engineering experience (Node.js / Python / Go / Java / Ruby).
- Strong experience in microservices, API design, distributed systems, and system architecture.
- Hands-on with cloud infrastructure (AWS preferred).
- Experience setting up CI/CD, Docker, Kubernetes, monitoring, and scaling.
- Ability to translate product problems into clear technical steps for engineers.
- Strong ownership, communication, and clarity in documentation.
Nice-to-Have
- Experience in early-stage startups or building v1 products.
- Understanding of data analytics pipelines and event-driven systems.
- Knowledge of security best practices and compliance.
Engagement Structure
Part-time, flexible hours—8 to 20 hours per week.Weekly sprint planning + architecture reviews.Monthly technical roadmap delivery.
What We Offer
- High ownership in a fast-scaling product environment.
- Opportunity to build the entire technical foundation of the platform.
- Competitive fractional compensation.
For queries drop an email to Tanya at hr@engageu.in
