Backend Developer

What is Hunch? 

Hunch is a dating app that helps you land a date without swiping like a junkie. Designed for people tired of mindless swiping and commodified matchmaking, Hunch leverages a powerful AI-engine to help users find meaningful connections by focusing on personality over just looks. With 2M+ downloads and a 4.4-star rating, Hunch is going viral in the US by challenging the swipe-left/right norm of traditional apps. Hunch is a Series A funded ($23 Million) startup building the future of social discovery in a post-AI world.

Link to our fundraising announcement

Key offerings of Hunch:

• Swipe Less, Vibe More: Curated profiles, cutting the clutter of endless swiping.
• Personality Matters: Opinion-based, belief-based, and thought-based compatibility rather than just focusing on looks.
• Every Match, Verified: No bots, no catfishing—just real, trustworthy connections
• Match Scores: Our AI shows compatibility percentages, helping users identify their “100% vibe match.”

   What we are looking for:

• Proven experience of 2-5 years as a Backend Developer, from a product background, preferably in a social media or consumer-facing platform 
• Expertise in back-end development with programming languages such as Node.js. GraphQL is a plus.
• Experience writing unit, integration, and end-to-end (E2E) tests to ensure code quality and system reliability
• Hands-on experience using AI tools like Claude, Gemini, or GitHub Copilot to assist in coding, debugging, and accelerating development 
• Strong knowledge of database systems like PostgreSQL, NoSQL, Redis and experience in optimizing database queries. 
• Experience integrating third-party APIs and working with external service providers. 
• Experience with AWS/GCP and Kubernetes/Docker. 
• Familiarity with real-time data processing technologies such as Kafka, Apache Storm, Apache Flink, or Amazon Kinesis is a plus,
• Understanding of security best practices and data protection measures. 
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment. 
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with a passion for teamwork and innovation.
• Frontend development experience is a plus, especially with frameworks such as Flutter (for mobile apps) and Next.js (for web apps)

   What You Will Do: 

     System Architecture and Design: 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and architect scalable, efficient, and maintainable backend systems. 
• Contribute to the development of technical specifications and system documentation. 

     Backend Development and Coding: 

• Write high-quality, well-structured code in the backend programming languages (e.g., Node, Python) to implement new features and improve existing functionalities. Ensure code follows best practices, coding standards, and is thoroughly tested. 

     Performance Optimization: 

• Identify and optimize performance bottlenecks in backend systems, ensuring smooth and responsive user experiences. 
• Monitor and analyze system performance metrics, making necessary improvements to enhance system efficiency. 

     Database Management: 

• Design and manage database schemas, ensuring data integrity, security, and efficiency.
• Optimize database queries and implement caching mechanisms for improved data retrieval speed. 

      API Development and Integration: 

• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs to facilitate seamless communication between the frontend and backend systems. 
• Integrate third-party services and APIs as needed while ensuring data security and privacy. 

      Scalability and Reliability: 

• Implement strategies for horizontal scaling and load balancing to accommodate growing user traffic and maintain system reliability. 
• Ensure high availability of backend services, minimizing downtime and service interruptions. 

     Security and Data Privacy: 

• Implement security measures to protect sensitive user data and prevent security vulnerabilities. 
• Stay updated with industry security standards and implement necessary measures to ensure compliance. 

     Collaboration and Communication: 

• Collaborate effectively with frontend engineers, product managers, and designers to deliver cohesive and user-centric features. 
• Communicate technical concepts and project updates clearly within the team. 

     Continuous Learning and Innovation: 

• Stay updated with the latest technologies, trends, and best practices in backend development. 
• Proactively suggest innovative solutions and improvements to enhance the platform's functionality and performance.

     Problem Solving and Troubleshooting: 

• Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues that may arise in the backend systems.
• Provide timely solutions to ensure minimal impact on user experience. 

     Project Management and Timelines: 

• Estimate development timelines accurately and deliver high-quality code within specified deadlines. 
• Collaborate with project managers to prioritize tasks and ensure project milestones are met. 

What we have to offer 

• Competitive financial rewards + annual PLI (Performance Linked Incentives).
• Meritocracy-driven, candid, and diverse culture.
• Employee benefits like Medical Insurance
• One annual all expenses paid by company trip for all employees to bond
• Although we work from our office in New Delhi, we are flexible in our style and approach

Life @Hunch 

• Work Culture: At Hunch we take our work seriously but don’t take ourselves too seriously. Everyone is encouraged to think as owners and not renters, and we prefer to let builders build, empowering people to pursue independent ideas.
• Impact: Your work will shape the future of social engagement and connect people around the world.
• Collaboration: Join a diverse team of creative minds and be part of a supportive community.
• Growth: We invest in your development and provide opportunities for continuous learning.
• Backed by Global Investors: Hunch is a Series A funded startup, backed by Hashed, AlphaWave, Brevan Howard and Polygon Studios
• Experienced Leadership: Hunch is founded by a trio of industry veterans - Ish Goel (CEO), Nitika Goel (CTO), and Kartic Rakhra (CMO) - serial entrepreneurs with the last exit from Nexus Mutual, a web3 consumer-tech startup.