About The Role
We're looking for a Backend Engineer who will build the core infrastructure powering our AI-powered payments and POS platform. You'll design and scale APIs, data pipelines, and backend services using Python, Django, and FastAPI—building the foundation that 400+ restaurants and retail businesses rely on every day. You'll work directly with our co-founders and small technical team to make Zavo fast, reliable, and intelligent.
*Compensation: £80,000–£120,000 base salary + equity*
About Zavo
We’re a YC-backed (F25) startup based in London, building an intelligent, all-in-one platform to replace today’s fragmented restaurant tech stack.
Zavo powers card payments, POS, and AI for 400+ restaurants and retail businesses. We’re backed by leading global investors, growing revenue rapidly, and moving fast to define the next generation of restaurant technology.
What You'll Do
Design and build robust APIs and backend services using Django and FastAPI
Architect data models and optimize database performance with Supabase/PostgreSQL
Build integrations with payment processors, POS hardware, and third-party services
Develop backend infrastructure for our AI agents that automate restaurant operations
Ensure platform reliability, security, and scalability as we grow
Work directly with co-founders and frontend engineers to ship end-to-end features
What We're Looking For
Strong Python expertise—you write clean, maintainable, well-tested code
Experience with Django and/or FastAPI in production environments
3-5+ years building backend systems that real users depend on
Solid understanding of PostgreSQL, API design, and distributed systems
Founder mentality—you treat this like your own company and do whatever it takes
Customer obsession—genuinely excited about building products for restaurant owners and merchants
High agency and comfortable with ambiguity—we're a small team moving fast
Based in London (hybrid)—we need in-person collaboration with the team
UK work authorization—we can't sponsor visas at this stage
*Why Zavo*
YC-backed with very strong revenue and momentum (400+ merchants and growing)
Work directly with founders on high-impact problems
Modern backend stack—Python, Django, FastAPI, Supabase, AI/ML
Real ownership over critical infrastructure
Early-stage equity with real upside potential
London-based team with a collaborative, all-in culture
The Pay Range For This Role Is
80,000 - 120,000 GBP per year(Hybrid (London, England, GB))