01 Software Engineer San Francisco, CA · Full-time

Softmax Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Softmax Inc. is seeking a Software Engineer who combines a scientist’s rigor with a founder’s drive in San Francisco. You will own products end-to-end, design and implement solutions, and measure impact while iterating. Expect to leverage AI tools to achieve 2–5x productivity and collaborate with a small, high-performance team.

You should have a deep analytical background, multi-language full-stack capability (Python and C++), and strong customer instincts to decide what to build and why.

Qualifications

• Graduate work in a quantitative field (CS, physics, etc.), or equivalent depth from industry.
• Full-stack capability across backend services, data pipelines, and frontend when needed.
• Proficiency in Python and C++.
• Strong customer instincts related to product decisions.
• AI-native workflow with daily use of AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Own products end-to-end: define, design, build, ship, measure and improve.
• Apply analytic rigor to feature decisions and interpret data.
• Move fast with quality: ship frequently and learn from real usage.
• Leverage AI tools aggressively to boost productivity.
• Collaborate with a small, high-ownership team with direct feedback.

Skills

Python

C++

Full-stack

Analytical

Education

Graduate work in a quantitative field

Research experience

Job description

We're looking for a Software Engineer who thinks like a scientist and operates like a founder. You'll own entire systems end-to-end: from identifying what to build, to designing and implementing solutions, to measuring impact and iterating. This isn't a role where you wait for specs — you generate clarity from ambiguity and ship with conviction.

You're also fluent in modern AI tools and use them to multiply your output. We expect engineers here to be exceptionally productive and to leverage that productivity toward bigger problems, not just faster typing.

What You’ll Do

• Own products end-to-end. Define what to build based on user needs and business goals. Design the technical approach. Build it. Ship it. Measure it. Improve it.
• Apply analytic rigor to feature decisions. Design experiments properly. Understand what your data can and can't tell you.
• Move fast with quality. We ship frequently and learn from real usage. Balance speed with craft.
• Leverage AI tools aggressively. We expect you to operate at 2–5x the productivity of a traditional engineer.
• Collaborate with a small, excellent team. Low process, high ownership, direct feedback.

What We’re Looking For

• Deep analytical background. Graduate work in a quantitative field (CS, physics, etc.), research experience, or equivalent depth from industry.
• Full-stack capability with multi-language strength. Comfortable across the stack — backend services, data pipelines, frontend when needed. Python and C++.
• Strong customer instincts. You understand why something should be built, not just how.
• AI‑native workflow. You already use AI tools daily and have opinions about how to use them effectively.
• Ownership mentality. You see problems, propose solutions, and drive them to completion.

Compensation

We hire based on impact, not years of experience. Compensation reflects your expected contribution. This covers a range of experience levels including what would be considered staff and principal engineer at larger organizations.

Softmax is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels, and consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in line with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.