About Lanai

Lanai is building the Enterprise AI Governance and Data platform that enables safe AI adoption at scale. We're not another LLM or generative model—we're creating the foundation for how AI transforms the enterprise. Our platform provides real-time human<>AI inventory, data/risk classification, and an operating system that solves the #1 barrier preventing companies from safely implementing AI: prompt-level visibility and controls.

Backed by Lux Capital (Hugging Face, Databricks), Juxtapose, F7 Ventures, and BAG Ventures (Black Angel Group), we're a pioneering AI data analytics company seeing unprecedented demand from Fortune 1000 companies implementing their AI governance strategies.

Living our values enables us to foster trust, take risks, and achieve extraordinary results together:

• Curiosity: Question openly, learn quickly, share knowledge

• Community: Celebrate diversity, unite in purpose, practice empathy

• Commitment: Maintain high standards, honor promises, focus on impact

• Clarity: Communicate directly with care, bring focus to ambiguity

Located in Palo Alto, our highly-technical, nerdy (and nice!) small team brings together enterprise leaders from SignalFx, VMware, Google, and Meta. We're advised by industry leaders including Fredrick "Flee" Lee (CISO at Reddit), Raghu Raghuram (former VMware CEO), and Yvonne Wassenaar (former CIO of New Relic).

The Technical Challenge

As our founding Backend Engineer, you'll architect scalable systems that handle massive amounts of real-time AI interaction data from distributed sources. This isn't just another API layer—it's building systems that process, classify, and secure sensitive enterprise data flowing through AI platforms. Your code will power the core infrastructure that enables organizations to govern their AI usage at scale.

Impact You'll Have

• Design and implement high-throughput data ingestion pipelines from distributed browser extensions

• Build secure multi-tenant architecture that maintains strict data segregation for enterprise customers

• Create robust APIs that enable real-time synchronization between cloud and edge environments

• Develop scalable storage solutions that balance performance, compliance, and analytical needs

• Implement enterprise-grade authentication, authorization, and audit systems for sensitive data

What You Bring

• Deep technical expertise in backend development (8+ years experience)

• Experience designing and scaling distributed systems that handle high-volume data streams

• Strong programming skills in Go, Java, or similar languages for performance-critical systems

• Background in cloud infrastructure, containerization, and microservices architecture

• Experience with real-time data processing and storage optimization

• Knowledge of security best practices for handling sensitive enterprise data

• Ability to design storage schemes including databases for queries at scale

• Willingness to work in Palo Alto 3x/week

What We Offer

• Founding Engineer Ownership: Design and build critical systems from the ground up versus joining established companies where core architecture decisions are already made

• Unmatched Financial Upside: Early equity in a SaaS AI governance and data analytics company with early exercise and Qualified Small Business Stock tax benefits

• Exceptional Leadership Access: Work directly with co-founder/CEO Lexi Reese (Google, Gusto, Meta), co-founder/chairman Steve Herrod (original CTO of VMware, investor @ General Catalyst + Juxtapose), CTO Rajesh Raman (supported tech infra that took Meta/Google public before moving to SignalFX, Splunk) and CPO Mohit Mehta (Splunk, Nvidia)

• Competitive salary ($170k+)

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Unlimited PTO

Note: Research shows qualified candidates, especially from underrepresented groups, often hesitate to apply unless they meet 100% of listed qualifications. If you're excited about this role but don't check every box, we strongly encourage you to apply. We're committed to building a diverse team and would love to consider your unique background."

Lanai is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate representation of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.