Senior Full-Stack Engineer – Ruby, Vue.js & Conversational AI Platform Development at arenaflex (Remote)

About arenaflex – Transforming Conversational Experiences in the Automotive World

arenaflex is a fast‑growing technology startup that is redefining how live chat and conversational AI are used in the automotive sector. While many industries have embraced chatbots, the automotive market still faces a gap between consumer expectations and the capabilities of existing solutions. arenaflex’s mission is to bridge that gap by delivering a seamless, intelligent, and human‑centred chat experience for car buyers, dealers, and marketplaces alike.

Based out of Belfast, Northern Ireland, arenaflex works with leading automotive brands and platforms—including some of the biggest names in the industry—to create a next‑generation live‑chat ecosystem. Our vision is not only to provide cutting‑edge chatbot technology but also to reshape the way customers interact with automotive services, making the journey from inquiry to purchase smoother, faster, and more enjoyable.

As a startup in a pivotal growth phase, arenaflex relies on bold, self‑driven individuals who want to shape the future of the business. If you thrive in environments where your ideas directly influence product direction, strategy, and market impact, then this role is tailor‑made for you.

Why This Role Matters – The Senior Engineer Impact

As the first full‑time engineer on our development team, you will be the technical cornerstone of arenaflex’s product roadmap. You will own the design, implementation, and scaling of core platform components that power our conversational AI and live‑chat widgets. Your work will directly affect how thousands of automotive shoppers experience online assistance, and you will collaborate closely with product, design, and commercial teams to translate business goals into robust, high‑performance software.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and build scalable backend services using Ruby, Ruby on Rails, and the Sinatra framework, ensuring high availability and low latency for real‑time chat interactions.
• Design and develop responsive front‑end experiences with JavaScript and Vue.js, delivering intuitive UI components for both end‑users and dealer dashboards.
• Integrate and manage PostgreSQL databases, crafting efficient data models and queries that support analytics, user histories, and chatbot training data.
• Lead technical initiatives from concept through delivery, producing accurate estimates, roadmaps, and backlog items that align with commercial objectives.
• Collaborate with customers alongside commercial teams to diagnose issues, propose enhancements, and explore innovative use‑cases for arenaflex’s platform.
• Mentor and guide junior developers and external partners, providing thought leadership on best practices, architecture decisions, and emerging technologies.
• Drive API strategy, building and consuming third‑party services, and ensuring seamless integration with dealer management systems, CRM platforms, and automotive data providers.
• Champion quality by writing comprehensive unit, integration, and end‑to‑end tests, and by establishing CI/CD pipelines on Heroku and other cloud environments.
• Document technical solutions clearly for internal teams and external stakeholders, producing architecture diagrams, API specifications, and deployment guides.
• Stay ahead of industry trends in AI, machine learning, and automotive technology, evaluating how new capabilities can be incorporated into arenaflex’s product suite.

Essential Technical Requirements

• Proven experience with Ruby (or Ruby on Rails) and a deep understanding of the Sinatra framework.
• Strong expertise in PostgreSQL, including schema design, query optimization, and data migration strategies.
• Hands‑on experience building and consuming RESTful APIs and working with data pipelines.
• Solid front‑end development skills using JavaScript and Vue.js, with an eye for clean, maintainable UI code.
• Demonstrated ability to produce realistic estimates and deliver commercially viable solutions on schedule.
• Track record of technically leading complex programmes, making strategic technology choices, and guiding cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and influencing decision‑making.

Desired Technical Enhancements

• Experience deploying applications on Heroku, managing Redis caches, and optimizing cloud‑native performance.
• Familiarity with Python and machine‑learning frameworks, enabling you to contribute to AI‑driven chatbot improvements.
• Background in live‑chat widget development, chatbot analytics, and conversational statistics.
• Previous work on data‑intensive products within the automotive industry, understanding dealer workflows and consumer purchase journeys.

Core Qualifications & Personal Attributes

• Self‑starter mindset: You thrive when given autonomy, taking initiative to shape product direction and solve ambiguous problems.
• Customer‑centric collaboration: Comfortable partnering with sales and support teams to translate client feedback into technical solutions.
• Adaptability: Able to navigate a fast‑paced, ever‑changing startup environment while maintaining focus on long‑term goals.
• Tenacity: Demonstrates resilience in the face of setbacks, consistently delivering high‑quality outcomes.
• Ownership & autonomy: Enjoys full responsibility for features from conception through production, taking pride in shipping reliable software.
• Team player with flat hierarchy experience: Values open communication, peer feedback, and collaborative decision‑making.

Compensation, Benefits & Perks

arenaflex offers a competitive salary range of £50,000–£60,000 (approximately $65,000–$78,000 USD) commensurate with experience and expertise. As a fully remote position, you will enjoy the flexibility to work from anywhere while staying connected through our collaborative tools and regular virtual meet‑ups.

Additional benefits include:

• Generous paid time off and holidays to recharge and maintain work‑life balance.
• Professional development budget for conferences, courses, and certifications—especially in AI, cloud, and automotive tech.
• Health and wellness stipend covering medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Equity participation, giving you a stake in arenaflex’s growth and success.
• State‑of‑the‑art hardware and software allowances to set up an optimal home office.
• Regular team‑building events, virtual coffee chats, and an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

At arenaflex, your career trajectory is limited only by your ambition. As the inaugural engineer, you will quickly become a senior technical leader, shaping architecture, influencing product strategy, and mentoring future hires. You will gain exposure to:

• Strategic product planning with C‑level executives and investors.
• Advanced AI and machine‑learning projects that power next‑generation chatbots.
• Cross‑industry collaborations with automotive OEMs, dealers, and marketplace platforms.
• Leadership development programs that prepare you for future CTO or VP of Engineering roles.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

arenaflex prides itself on a culture of curiosity, transparency, and impact. Our remote‑first philosophy means you’ll be part of a globally distributed team that values clear communication, asynchronous workflows, and regular face‑to‑face virtual interactions. We champion:

• Innovation: Every team member is encouraged to experiment, prototype, and share ideas that could become core product features.
• Collaboration: Flat hierarchies mean your voice is heard; you’ll work directly with founders, product managers, designers, and customers.
• Ownership: You own the end‑to‑end delivery of features, from design to production, fostering a deep sense of pride in your work.
• Inclusivity: We actively cultivate an environment where diverse perspectives thrive, ensuring that our technology serves a broad audience.

How to Apply

If you are excited about building world‑class conversational AI solutions for the automotive industry, and you thrive in a high‑ownership, remote startup environment, we want to hear from you. Please send your updated CV and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience to [email protected]. In your cover letter, highlight any past projects that demonstrate your expertise in Ruby, Vue.js, and API‑driven architectures.

We review applications on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates will be invited to a series of technical and cultural interviews. Join arenaflex and help us reshape the future of automotive live chat—one conversation at a time.

Apply today and become a pivotal part of arenaflex’s journey to revolutionize the automotive customer experience.