Senior Software Engineer, Backend — Frontier Data
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Job Location:
San Francisco, CA - USA
Monthly Salary:
$ 216200 - 270250
Posted on:
10 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
The Frontier Data team builds the data and systems that power Scales 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.
Were 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 Youll 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. Youll 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 postings 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:
$216200 - $270250 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 worlds most important decisions. Our products provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the worlds 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 Labors Know Your Rights poster for additional information.
We comply with the United States Department of Labors Pay Transparency provision.
PLEASE NOTE: We collect retain and use personal data for our professional business purposes including notifying you of job opportunities that may be of interest and sharing with our affiliates. We limit the personal data we collect to that which we believe is appropriate and necessary to manage applicants needs provide our services and comply with applicable laws. Any information we collect in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our internal policies and programs designed to protect personal data. Please see our for additional information.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Key Skills
- Spring
- .NET
- C/C++
- Go
- React
- OOP
- C#
- AWS
- Data Structures
- Software Development
- Java
- Distributed Systems
About Company
Trusted by world class companies, Scale delivers high quality training data for AI applications such as self-driving cars, mapping, AR/VR, robotics, and more.
