Founding Software Engineer / CTO-Track

About Balance

Balance Life Design is an AI-powered platform helping people design more intentional, meaningful lives. Through conversational reflection and adaptive scheduling, Balance helps users align time with values and turn insight into action.

We're a small, focused team at the pre-seed stage, funded and preparing for a large user test. Our next chapter is about pace, precision, and building something enduring - tools that feel calm, intelligent, and deeply human.

The Role

We're looking for a Founding Software Engineer to help us finish the current build and lead the next phase of development. You'll work directly with the founder to strengthen our technical foundation, drive early product decisions, and move quickly toward a polished launch.

This is a high-ownership role with a clear path toward technical leadership or CTO-track based on fit, initiative, and execution.

Commitment: Contract-to-hire (20-30 hrs/week for 8-12 weeks) or immediate full-time if mutually aligned.

Location: Indianapolis-based or remote/hybrid.

Compensation: Contract rate or modest base + meaningful early equity (typically 1–3%, with upside for long-term leadership).

What You'll Do

• Build and refine the platform as we prepare for large-scale testing and iteration.
• Lead system architecture and ensure scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Translate abstract ideas into clear, working features that feel seamless to use.
• Ship fast while maintaining thoughtful design and technical integrity.
• Help establish engineering culture, process, and long-term standards.

You May Be a Fit If

• You've shipped complex web products and thrive in early, ambiguous environments.
• You move easily between backend and frontend (React, TypeScript, Node, Postgres, or similar).
• You write clean code, communicate clearly, and bias toward action.
• You're grounded, reliable, and driven by both craft and purpose.
• You want to build technology that helps people live better - not just move faster.

Why Join Balance

• Build from the ground up: Every decision you make shapes the foundation.
• Lead and grow: Genuine opportunity to step into a CTO-track or long-term technical leadership role.
• Own your impact: Early equity and direct influence on product, architecture, and culture.
• Move with intent: Expect high agency, fast iteration, and deep collaboration.
• Build something that matters: We're rethinking how technology supports meaning and time, not just productivity.