Hovercar Startup | Senior Backend Engineer - Distributed Systems

We are seeking a backend/distributed systems engineer to build the core of our software platform. This person will develop the event-driven architecture, API layer, multi-tenant data structure, flight-slot allocation logic, and the engine that compares live vehicle telemetry against authorized flight envelopes.

This is a foundational role. You will not be maintaining an existing platform-you will be one of the people making it exist. We are looking for someone who has built real-time systems where accuracy, reliability, and uptime genuinely mattered., * Core Platform Development: Build the backend services and event-driven architecture that power the platform.

• Real-Time Telemetry: Process live vehicle data while accounting for delayed, duplicated, missing, or out-of-order information.
• Conformance Monitoring: Develop the logic that compares vehicle movement against approved routes, altitudes, timing, and operating boundaries.
• Slot Allocation: Build the system used to assign and manage time- and location-based flight slots.
• API Development: Create secure APIs for vehicles, operator consoles, customers, and approved external systems.
• Multi-Tenant Data: Design the data model for multiple operators, vehicles, missions, and customers while keeping their information properly separated.
• System Reliability: Build for fault tolerance, recovery, monitoring, and predictable behavior during failures.
• Testing and Documentation: Test critical logic thoroughly and document system behavior, assumptions, and interfaces.
• Team Collaboration: Work closely with the technical lead, frontend engineer, controls engineers, and company leadership.

Experience in aviation is welcome, but it is not required. Strong candidates may come from robotics, telecommunications, financial infrastructure, logistics, industrial systems, or another field where software must remain dependable under pressure., * Distributed Systems Experience: Experience building backend systems involving real-time data, state management, messaging, or multiple connected services.

• Production Experience: A history of shipping software that had real users or operational consequences.
• Backend Development: Strong ability in at least one relevant backend language, such as Go, Java, Kotlin, Rust, C++, C#, Python, or TypeScript.
• Data and APIs: Experience designing databases, APIs, and data models for complex applications.
• Reliability Mindset: Ability to think through failure cases instead of assuming every service, network connection, or data source will always work correctly.
• Clear Communication: Ability to explain technical decisions and tradeoffs to both engineers and company leadership.
• Relevant Industry Experience (Plus): Aviation, robotics, telecom, fintech, logistics, autonomy, or industrial systems experience is helpful.
• Startup Experience (Plus): Comfortable working in an environment where some requirements will continue to develop as the product is validated.

Pulled from the full job description

• Professional development assistance
• Flexible schedule, Upon the successful close of our current investment round, we anticipate offering a compensation package that may include salary or contract pay, performance-based incentives, equity/shares, or a combination of these options. We are open to discussing an arrangement that fits your experience, availability, and the scope of the role.

NNI is based in Des Moines, Iowa. This position may begin remotely and could eventually become hybrid or on-site as the company progresses. Any work and compensation arrangements will be established in writing before work begins.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Professional development assistance

Nexus Nova Innovations is an early-stage startup based in Des Moines, Iowa, developing next-generation aerial mobility technology and the systems needed to support it.