Staff Software Engineer

Staff Software Engineer | AI-Native Platform

Location: San Francisco, CA (Financial District)

Work Model: Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite (Typically Mon–Wed)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Base Salary: $290,000–$340,000

Additional Compensation: 25% Annual Performance Bonus + Competitive Equity + Relocation Assistance

Visa Sponsorship: Open to eligible visa transfers, including H-1B

About the Opportunity

We are hiring a Staff Software Engineer on behalf of our client, a fast-growing, well-funded AI startup transforming how financial institutions evaluate investments and make critical financial decisions.

Our client is building an AI-native platform for private equity, private credit, and commercial banking professionals. Its technology transforms complex financial documents and unstructured data into actionable insights, investment-grade analysis, and automated reports, helping financial teams evaluate opportunities over 60% faster.

With $29M+ in funding, backing from leading venture capital investors, and growing adoption among major financial institutions, the company is entering an exciting phase of expansion.

This is a high-impact opportunity to join a small, exceptionally talented engineering team, take ownership of critical product areas, and help shape the technical direction of an ambitious AI platform.

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-End Engineering Ownership: Design, develop, and scale complex product features across frontend, backend, and database systems.
• AI-Native Development: Leverage AI coding agents extensively for software development, code generation, testing, and reviews.
• Technical Leadership: Own major product initiatives from architecture and technical design through deployment and ongoing improvement.
• Build AI-Powered Products: Develop sophisticated AI agents capable of transforming complex financial information into investment-grade presentations, reports, and actionable insights.
• Engineering Excellence: Establish best practices for architecture, code quality, scalability, and system reliability.
• Mentorship & Collaboration: Review technical designs, mentor experienced engineers, and elevate engineering standards across the team.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate directly with product, sales, customer success, and customers to translate complex business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
• Product Innovation: Identify opportunities to improve performance, automate workflows, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience (exceptional candidates with 7+ years may be considered).
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong full-stack engineering capabilities, with experience building and shipping production-grade applications.
• Hands-on experience using AI coding agents as an integral part of daily software development.
• Demonstrated ownership of major product areas, complex infrastructure initiatives, or large-scale engineering projects.
• Proven technical leadership, including mentoring senior engineers, improving engineering practices, and influencing architectural decisions.
• Strong engineering background at reputable technology companies, ideally combining established technology organizations with high-growth startup experience.
• Experience working in fast-paced environments with significant ownership and minimal organizational hierarchy.
• Excellent problem-solving, technical communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Genuine enthusiasm for early-stage startups, AI-powered products, and building technology from the ground up.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at venture-backed startups, ideally from Seed through Series E.
• Previous experience as a Staff Engineer, Senior Staff Engineer, Technical Lead, or Member of Technical Staff.
• Strong Python development experience.
• Experience building AI-powered applications, agentic workflows, or LLM-based products.
• Demonstrated success leading technically complex projects from concept to production.
• Experience working directly with enterprise customers or developing sophisticated B2B SaaS products.
• A track record of improving engineering productivity and helping other senior engineers grow.

Technology & Engineering Environment

Primary Technology: Python

The engineering team operates with an AI-native development philosophy, using AI agents extensively for coding and code reviews while maintaining rigorous human-led architectural design and technical decision-making.

Engineers work across the full stack and are encouraged to take complete ownership of the systems and products they build.

Why Join Our Client?

• Exceptional Compensation: $290K–$340K base salary, plus a 25% annual performance bonus and competitive equity.
• Strong Financial Backing: Over $29M raised from prominent venture capital investors.
• High-Growth Opportunity: Join a rapidly expanding AI startup with strong commercial traction and enterprise adoption.
• Meaningful Ownership: Take responsibility for major components of a sophisticated AI platform.
• Small, High-Caliber Team: Work alongside a lean engineering team of approximately five experienced engineers.
• Cutting-Edge AI Development: Build with advanced AI coding agents and contribute to next-generation financial technology.
• Direct Business Impact: Collaborate closely with technical leadership, product teams, and enterprise customers.
• Career Growth: Help shape engineering culture, technical architecture, and product direction during a critical growth phase.
• Relocation & Visa Support: Relocation assistance and eligible visa transfers are available.

Work Location

This position is based in San Francisco's Financial District and follows a hybrid schedule requiring at least three days per week in the office, typically Monday through Wednesday.

Candidates must be based in the San Francisco Bay Area or willing to relocate.