Founding Engineer / AI-Native Tech Lead (Backend, iGaming)

We are toogeza , a Ukrainian recruiting company that is focused on hiring talents and building teams for tech startups worldwide. People make a difference in the big game, and we may help to find the right ones.

We're currently looking for a Founding Engineer / AI-Native Tech Lead (Backend, iGaming) to work on an iGaming project.

Location: Limassol, Cyprus

Type: Full-time

About the client’s company:

iGaming company operating a portfolio of B2C online casino brands across international markets. They’re launching a new initiative focused on developing a sophisticated, multi-layered gamification system designed to enhance player engagement, retention, and the overall gaming experience.

We’re looking for a Founding Engineer / AI-Native Tech Lead to take full technical ownership of this initiative — from architecture and system design to hands-on development and delivery.

This is an opportunity to build a complex technical solution from the ground up, work directly with the CEO, and potentially grow an engineering team as the project evolves.

What You’ll Be Working On

The core challenge is to build a scalable gamification layer that integrates with existing third-party casino platforms.

The system will introduce advanced gaming mechanics, including PvP, missions, builder-style features, progression systems, and other engagement tools designed to drive player activity and retention.

Rather than developing a new casino platform, you’ll be extending existing products with complex gaming logic and integrations, using AI-assisted development as a core part of the engineering process.

What You’ll Do

Own the backend architecture and hands-on development of a complex gamification system.

Translate game design documents and business requirements into scalable technical solutions.

Build gaming mechanics, player engagement features, and lifecycle tracking systems.

Design integrations with casino platforms, PAM systems, and third-party services through APIs, webhooks, and event-driven processes.

Develop reliable, high-load backend systems with a strong focus on performance, security, and data consistency.

Leverage AI coding tools throughout the development lifecycle, from implementation and testing to code review.

Make independent technical decisions and potentially help build the engineering team as the project grows.

What We’re Looking For

7–10+ years of software engineering experience , ideally at Senior, Staff, or hands-on Tech Lead level, with a track record of delivering production-grade systems.

Strong backend expertise with TypeScript, Node.js, NestJS , or a comparable technology stack.

Hands-on experience building gaming or gamification systems , including mechanics such as PvP, missions, progression, rewards, or similar features.

Experience with high-load, event-driven, and distributed architectures , complex business logic, state machines, and multi-tenant SaaS systems.

Strong knowledge of PostgreSQL, Redis , asynchronous processing, concurrency, transactions, and data consistency.

Experience with third-party integrations , REST APIs, WebSockets, webhooks, authentication, and secure backend development.

Practical experience with Docker, CI/CD, cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP) , monitoring, and observability.

Proven experience using AI-assisted development tools (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, or similar) for real-world software development, including AI-generated code testing and review.

Ability to work independently, own architectural decisions, and deliver complex solutions end-to-end.

Nice to Have

Experience in iGaming/casino products , including PAM or casino platform integrations.

Understanding of RNG-based gaming mechanics and player retention strategies.

Previous experience as a Founding Engineer or hands-on technical lead.

Familiarity with React/Next.js and frontend-backend integration.

Hiring Process

Introductory interview with the recruitment team.

Technical assignment (potentially paid for selected candidates).

Technical interview with the engineering team.

Final interview with company leadership.

What’s next?

If this role sounds like a fit — we’d love to hear from you! Just send over your CV and anything else you’d like us to consider.

We’ll review everything within five working days , and if your background matches what we’re looking for, we’ll get in touch to set up a call and get to know each other better.