Founding Engineer (AI-native Freight Forwarder)
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for logistics and supply chain experts with AI skills has skyrocketed, with a recent report showing a 25% increase in job postings over the past year. Navio Logistics is at the forefront of this trend, leveraging cutting-edge automation and AI to disrupt the traditional freight forwarding industry. With the company's VC-backed funding and ambitious growth plans, this role offers a unique opportunity for a skilled engineer to make a real impact. Candidates should be prepared to showcase their expertise in AI, logistics, and software development, as well as their ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Job Description
About the Role
Navio Logistics is seeking a highly skilled Founding Engineer to join their team in Berlin. As a key member of the engineering team, you will be responsible for designing and building the technical foundation of Navio's AI-native freight forwarder platform. This is a unique opportunity to work on a greenfield project, shaping the technical direction of the company and building a system from scratch.The successful candidate will have a strong background in software development, with expertise in AI, logistics, and supply chain management. You will be working closely with the CTO and founders to own critical product features, make architectural decisions, and build the AI-native infrastructure that powers every shipment, workflow, and customer interaction.
As a founding team member, you will have a significant impact on the company's growth and direction. You will be expected to be a self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team, and to be comfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration cycles.
What You Will Do
- Own and build core product features end-to-end, from frontend interfaces to backend services and data pipelines
- Design and implement AI agents and automated workflows that transform freight operations
- Make architecture decisions and shape the technical direction of the platform
- Build integrations with carriers, logistics systems, tracking providers, and partner APIs
- Ship fast and iterate based on real customer feedback and operational needs
- Scale systems from early product to production-grade infrastructure serving real freight volumes
- Work directly with the CTO and founders on product vision, strategy, and roadmap priorities
- Help define engineering best practices, code quality standards, and future hiring
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of technical and non-technical components
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to the improvement of the overall codebase
What We Are Looking For
- Experienced software engineer with strong proficiency in at least one modern language (TypeScript, Python, Go, or similar)
- Hands-on experience building AI agents, working with LLMs, and integrating AI into real products
- Experience with LLM profiling and evaluation — tracing, scoring, optimizing cost, latency, and quality of AI outputs
- Solid backend skills — Postgres, Redis, API design, and cloud infrastructure
- Zero-to-one startup experience or similar high-ownership, fast-moving environments
- Product-minded engineer who cares about user impact, not just code
- High-agency mindset — you scope problems, make decisions, and ship without waiting for detailed specs
- Comfortable with ambiguity and fast iteration cycles
- Excellent written and verbal English
- Logistics, supply chain, or freight forwarding domain knowledge (nice to have)
Nice to Have
- Experience with Excel and data analysis
- Knowledge of freight forwarding operations and logistics management
- Familiarity with cloud-based infrastructure and containerization
- Certification in AI, machine learning, or a related field
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive compensation package
- Meaningful equity for early team members
- Flexible remote/hybrid working setup
- Access to the best AI tools and technologies
- Opportunity to work with a high-performance, mission-driven team
- Direct exposure to founders and strategic decision-making
- Professional development and growth opportunities
- Healthy work-life balance and generous PTO policy
How to Stand Out
- Make sure to highlight your experience with AI and machine learning in your application, as these skills are highly valued in this role.
- Be prepared to showcase your ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a high level of autonomy and decision-making authority.
- Familiarize yourself with Navio Logistics' products and services, and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and vision.
- Consider creating a portfolio or sample project that demonstrates your expertise in AI, logistics, and software development.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions during the interview process, and be prepared to discuss your career goals and aspirations.
- Be sure to research the company culture and values, and be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to and thrive in Navio Logistics' fast-paced and dynamic environment.
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