Kanary, Inc. – IT recruitment of a senior Python developer for an American privacy protection SaaS

Tsiala Jobava

Introduction

As an early-stage, fast-moving startup building privacy-first tools for personal data protection, Kanary Inc. faced intense pressure to maintain development speed without compromising on quality or security.

They needed someone who could take full ownership of backend development, someone who didn’t require hand-holding, understood the weight of building privacy infrastructure, and could move quickly while upholding high standards for security and system reliability.

Kanary partnered with DevsData LLC to recruit a senior-level Python engineer capable of operating within the fast-paced dynamics of an early-stage startup and the rigorous standards of the cybersecurity domain. The ideal candidate would combine strong technical expertise with a deep alignment to the company’s privacy-first mission and be prepared to contribute effectively from day one.

Project highlights

Client overview

Founded in 2020, Kanaries Inc. helps individuals protect their digital identity by detecting and removing personal data from public and semi-public internet sources. Their flagship product, Remove & Monitor, automatically scans websites and data brokers for private information exposure and manages takedown requests at scale.

A bootstrapped and lean team of ~50 employees, Kanary has built a privacy-focused culture that prioritizes async work, deep focus, and technical creativity. Backed by venture capital, the company is now evolving from its initial prototype into a scalable privacy engine.

Project scope & objectives

Kanary approached DevsData LLC to recruit a senior backend developer – someone self-directed, highly proficient in Python, and capable of taking technical ownership across scheduling systems, privacy-compliant architecture, and API development. This role was critical to laying the foundation for the company’s long-term backend infrastructure and engineering growth. The person responsible for the following:

• Designing secure systems for data crawling, takedown scheduling, and load balancing.
• Implementing end-to-end encryption and scalable backend logic.
• Working closely with founders to turn ideas into features.
• Supporting core architecture decisions and backend reliability.
• Helping lay the foundation for long-term engineering growth.

Given the strategic importance of the role, Kanary’s founders were directly involved in the recruitment process from the outset. They collaborated closely with DevsData LLC to identify a senior backend developer who could take technical ownership, contribute independently, and help shape the company’s evolving privacy infrastructure.

Challenges & constraints

The recruitment process came with several high-stakes requirements that shaped the search strategy. First, the pressure of an early-stage environment meant the new hire needed to operate with a high degree of autonomy and make an immediate impact on product velocity. There was also a high bar for ownership – Kanary was looking for someone who could handle backend tasks independently, without constant direction, and who brought a strong commitment to privacy, security, and building reliable infrastructure.

Cultural compatibility was another critical factor. The team is small and quirky, with a well-established culture of self-management, asynchronous workflows, and a “get curious and build it” mentality. Any misalignment here would have posed a serious risk. Additionally, given Kanary’s work with sensitive user data, it was essential to find an engineer deeply aligned with secure and ethical development practices.

Finally, the entire recruitment effort was conducted remotely. Time zone compatibility and the ability to thrive in an independent, distributed environment were key factors in evaluating candidates.

Strategic recruitment approach

To meet these needs, DevsData LLC created a focused recruitment pipeline centered on backend specialists with Python expertise and startup-level adaptability. Our approach included:

• Sourcing talent from privacy-conscious and remote-native backgrounds.
• Filtering for engineers with experience building secure SaaS platforms from scratch.
• Verifying Python proficiency along with familiarity with Django, Celery, and cloud-native tools.
• Screening for traits like self-direction, documentation habits, and asynchronous collaboration.
• Deep-dive interviews that assessed product mindset, backend reliability thinking, and startup cultural fit.

“This role demanded someone who could work autonomously, navigate complex privacy-related architecture, and blend into a close-knit, async-first team. Our priority was finding a candidate with not only the right technical skills but also the communication style to thrive from day one.” – K. Khorava, Recruitment Specialist at DevsData LLC

We maintained close, iterative contact with the Kanary founders throughout the process, continuously refining the candidate profile based on interview insights. The emphasis extended beyond technical capabilities to include problem-solving autonomy and strong alignment with the company’s mission.

Results & impact

In just under five weeks, significantly faster than the market average for senior engineering hires, DevsData LLC successfully placed a highly skilled Senior Backend Engineer with Kanary Inc. Out of over 90 sourced candidates, 19 were shortlisted, and six advanced to the final interview stage. The selected candidate brought deep expertise in Python and Django, along with a strong background in designing scalable, secure backend systems. Their ability to operate autonomously made them an ideal fit for Kanary’s remote-first startup environment.

Once onboarded, the new engineer quickly took ownership of several critical backend components. They enhanced the reliability of the data removal engine, improved the scalability of scheduling systems, and optimized key API endpoints to support increasing user loads. These contributions had a direct and measurable impact on the speed and stability of product delivery, reducing bottlenecks and helping the team stay on track with their roadmap.

The candidate stood out during the recruitment process for more than just their technical expertise in Python and Django. Their strong track record in privacy-focused backend development, ability to work independently, and clear, concise communication made them an ideal match for Kanary’s remote-first, high-trust environment. From the beginning, it was clear that they could contribute without a lengthy onboarding process – precisely what the company needed at such a critical stage.

Just as importantly, the hire aligned perfectly with the team’s values – embracing asynchronous collaboration, a documentation-first culture, and an ownership-driven mindset. This cultural fit enabled seamless integration into a tight-knit, fast-paced team. Beyond technical gains, the added engineering strength also helped boost investor confidence, contributing to successful follow-on funding rounds.

By identifying a candidate who matched both the technical requirements and the team’s ethos, DevsData LLC enabled Kanary to move forward with greater confidence and execution speed, proving once again that precision hiring at early stages can directly influence a startup’s trajectory.

Conclusion

At startups like Kanary, each new team member plays a pivotal role in shaping the product and overall trajectory. This hire was about more than filling a role – it was about bringing in someone who could lead with autonomy and contribute meaningfully to a privacy-first mission.

By identifying the right technical and cultural match, DevsData LLC helped Kanary strengthen its backend capabilities and stay on track with its ambitious roadmap, proving that precision hiring can directly accelerate business outcomes.

What’s next?

With the new backend engineer fully integrated, Kanary is focused on enhancing platform scalability, improving user-facing automation, and deepening its privacy infrastructure. As demand for personal data protection continues to rise, the company is well-positioned to expand its reach and refine its platform in response to a growing user base and market need.

Looking to hire engineers who bring both technical excellence and a startup-ready mindset?

DevsData LLC specializes in recruiting high-impact tech talent for fast-growing companies, whether you’re scaling a privacy-focused platform, launching a new SaaS product, or strengthening your backend architecture. We tailor each search to your business goals, culture, and technology stack, delivering vetted, mission-aligned professionals who make an impact from day one.

Get in touch at general@devsdata.com or visit www.devsdata.com to learn how we can support your next hire.

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Read full bio

Tsiala Jobava Copywriter and Marketer

Tsiala Jobava is a talented marketing specialist from Georgia. Tsiala holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Georgian American University and a master’s in Marketing and Communication from Barcelona Business School. She has built a diverse career, working as a copywriter and in marketing and PR, before returning to her first passion – writing. Along the way, she has gained valuable experience in social media management, content creation, and brand development.

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