Senior Backend Engineer – AWS Cost Optimization
Job Description
- Experience in FinOps / cloud cost optimization.
- Strong backend architecture skills: DB design, scalable systems.
- Experience with infrastructure as code: Terraform or CloudFormation.
- Familiarity with container orchestration: Kubernetes, Docker, ECS.
- Background in AI/LLM integration or ML systems.
- AWS certifications or multi-cloud expertise.
- Expertise in Python: FastAPI, async/await, boto3.
- Hands-on AWS experience: Cost APIs, IAM, cross-account roles.
- Startup 0→1 experience: launched and scaled products from scratch.
- Independent execution: able to deliver end-to-end with minimal direction.
- The opportunity to build a category-defining product from scratch.
- Small teams, high autonomy, fast learning cycles, and zero politics.
- Competitive salary and participation in a virtual stock option program.
- Assistance provided for candidates relocating to Berlin.
At The Global Talent Co., we connect top global talent with leading technology companies worldwide. This position is a direct hire with BLOCKS, a Berlin-based startup revolutionizing cloud cost optimization. The initial contact will be with The Global Talent Co., but your employment and day-to-day work will be directly with BLOCKS.
About the Company
BLOCKS is a Berlin-based startup revolutionizing cloud cost optimization for startups and SMEs. Combining a group-buying model with its AI agent “Major Tom,” BLOCKS guarantees 20% savings from day one through automated infrastructure efficiency. With strong funding, rapid growth, and an AI-native engineering culture, BLOCKS empowers small, autonomous teams to create outsized impact.
About the Job
As a Senior Backend Engineer, you’ll be at the core of BLOCKS’ product development—building systems that both optimize AWS costs and enable scalable infrastructure. Your primary mission will be to design and implement solutions around cloud efficiency and FinOps, while also contributing to backend features, DevOps tooling, and system performance.
This is a highly autonomous role in a 0→1 startup environment, where you’ll own entire components end-to-end, moving fast to launch and scale new features.
What You’ll Do
- Design and implement backend services in Python (FastAPI, async/await, boto3).
- Build tools and systems that directly optimize AWS costs (FinOps, resource efficiency).
- Integrate with AWS APIs (Cost Explorer, CUR, IAM, cross-account roles) to automate cloud cost workflows.
- Contribute to backend architecture, database design, and system scalability.
- Develop infrastructure components (Terraform/CloudFormation, Kubernetes, Docker, ECS).
- Support new product features related to DevOps, infrastructure efficiency, and automation.
- Work independently in a fast-paced, AI-driven startup culture, with high ownership and autonomy.
What You Bring
- Expertise in Python: FastAPI, async/await, boto3.
- Hands-on AWS experience: Cost APIs, IAM, cross-account roles.
- Startup 0→1 experience: launched and scaled products from scratch.
- Independent execution: able to deliver end-to-end with minimal direction.
Strong Plus
- Experience in FinOps / cloud cost optimization.
- Strong backend architecture skills: DB design, scalable systems.
- Experience with infrastructure as code: Terraform or CloudFormation.
- Familiarity with container orchestration: Kubernetes, Docker, ECS.
- Background in AI/LLM integration or ML systems.
- AWS certifications or multi-cloud expertise.
Why Join BLOCKS
- Zero to One: The opportunity to build a category-defining product from scratch.
- True ownership: Small teams, high autonomy, fast learning cycles, and zero politics.
- Top-of-market compensation: Competitive salary and participation in a virtual stock option program.
- Relocation support: Assistance provided for candidates relocating to Berlin.
