Senior Software Engineer, Backend - San Francisco - Scale AI

    Scale AI
    Scale AI San Francisco

    1 week ago

    Description

    The Frontier Data team builds the data and systems that power Scale's most advanced Frontier AI use cases (agentic capabilities like coding agents, tool use, and GUI / computer-use automation). Our work sits at the intersection of applied AI and robust backend engineering: we turn messy, ambiguous problems into scalable platforms and pipelines that reliably produce high-quality outcomes.
    We're looking for a Senior Backend Engineer who thrives in ambiguity, moves fast, and enjoys tackling daunting challenges - someone who can design and build scalable systems while partnering closely with research, product, operations, and other engineering teams.
    What You'll Do

    • Own major backend systems for frontier agentic data products, driving projects from early exploration through production deployment.
    • Build scalable services and pipelines that support agent workflows (e.g., coding, tool-use orchestration, GUI/computer-use tasks), with strong reliability and observability.
    • Architect modular, reusable backend systems that adapt to evolving product needs while maintaining scalability, reliability, and clean interfaces.
    • Operate in high-ambiguity environments: break down open-ended problems, propose approaches, and execute with speed and clarity.
    • Partner cross-functionally with product, research/ML, and infrastructure teams to define requirements and ship impactful systems.
    • Improve system performance and cost efficiency through thoughtful architecture, profiling, and iterative optimization.
    • Raise the engineering bar through design reviews, code reviews, and pragmatic best practices.
    Ideal Experience
    • 5+ years of full-time software engineering experience (post-graduation).
    • Strong backend engineering fundamentals: distributed systems, API design, data modeling, and production reliability.
    • Strong experience with Docker and containerized development/production environments (building images, debugging, and operating container-based services.
    • Demonstrated ability to ship quickly in ambiguous, fast-changing environments (high-growth startup experience is a plus).
    • Experience building systems that scale: queues, async processing, workflow engines, data pipelines, or similar.
    • Comfort working close to AI/ML systems (production experience welcome; curiosity and strong fundamentals also valued).
    • Proficiency with SQL and modern database-backed application development.
    Compensation packages at Scale for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Scale employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process, and confirm whether the hired role will be eligible for equity grant. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, a learning and development stipend, and generous PTO. Additionally, this role may be eligible for additional benefits such as a commuter stipend.
    Please reference the job posting's subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the locations of San Francisco, New York, Seattle is:
    $216,200-$270,250 USD
    PLEASE NOTE: Our policy requires a 90-day waiting period before reconsidering candidates for the same role. This allows us to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all applicants.
    About Us:
    At Scale, our mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. Our products provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the world's leading models, and help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Cisco, DLA Piper, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.
    We believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work, which is why we are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status.
    We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at Please see the United States Department of Labor's Know Your Rights poster for additional information.
    We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision.
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