Advanced Software Engineer

Alert Venture Foundry; North Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Alert Venture Foundry in North Billerica, MA is seeking an Advanced Software Engineer to develop and scale software for our automated dispensing platform. You will work across middleware, cloud services, simulation, and system integration and own technical problems from definition to implementation.

Applicants should have strong Python or C++, experience building production software, and familiarity with AWS cloud services.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional software development experience.
• Strong fundamentals and production software experience.
• Proficiency in Python or C++, with willingness to use both.
• Experience with APIs, middleware, or backend services.
• Cloud platforms experience, preferably AWS.
• Ability to debug distributed software systems.
• Independent problem solving and cross-stack collaboration.
• Eagerness to learn unfamiliar technologies and domains.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain middleware, APIs, and backend services connecting dispenser, picking system, and cloud.
• Build software that communicates with and supports operation of physical equipment.
• Develop and maintain AWS-based services and infrastructure.
• Improve simulation, picking algorithms, and automation software.
• Integrate software across cloud, local apps, databases, automation, and hardware.
• Create software/workflows for system operation and configuration (e.g., QR codes).
• Troubleshoot across software, networking, cloud, and hardware.
• Enhance system reliability via testing, logging, error handling, and diagnostics.
• Collaborate with software, electrical, mechanical, and quality engineers to deploy integrated systems.

Skills

Python

C++

APIs

Cloud

Distributed systems

Debugging

Ownership

Teamwork

Tools

AWS

Job description

Alert Venture Foundry (AVF) is a technology venture studio that creates and develops technology-driven businesses from pure research stage through to positive cash-flow, and then launches them as independent companies. Our projects span a diverse range of technologies and markets, including Flying Tools, robots with long flexible-arm and flying end effectors; Georgie's Kitchen, a direct-to-consumer food business delivering chef-crafted, premium chilled meals through a proprietary distribution technology; and several other projects still in early-stage research.

About the Role

We're seeking an Advanced Software Engineer to help develop and scale the software systems that power Georgie’s Kitchen, our automated food dispensing platform. This role will work across the software that powers our automated dispensing and picking systems, spanning middleware, cloud services, simulation, automation algorithms, and system integration.

We are looking for a versatile software engineer with strong fundamentals who can take ownership of technical problems from definition through implementation and is comfortable working across multiple layers of an integrated system. You do not need experience in every area listed below. We value strong engineering judgment, adaptability, curiosity, and a demonstrated ability to become productive in unfamiliar technologies. This role is four days per week on-site.

What You'll Do

• Develop and maintain middleware, APIs, and backend services that connect the dispenser, picking system, cloud services, and other software components
• Build software that communicates with and supports the operation of physical equipment
• Develop and maintain AWS-based services and supporting infrastructure
• Develop and improve simulation, picking algorithms, and other automation-related software
• Integrate software across cloud services, local applications, databases, automation systems, and physical equipment
• Develop supporting software and workflows needed to operate and configure the system, such as QR code generation and web redirection
• Troubleshoot issues across software, networking, cloud services, and hardware
• Improve system reliability through testing, logging, error handling, and diagnostics
• Work closely with software, electrical, mechanical, and quality engineers to bring integrated systems from development through deployment

What We're Looking For

Required Skills

• 4+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong software engineering fundamentals and experience building production software
• Strong proficiency in Python or C++, with experience or willingness to work in both
• Hands-on experience developing APIs, middleware, backend services, system integration software, or similar applications
• Working knowledge of cloud platforms, with hands-on experience using them, preferably AWS
• Demonstrated ability to debug interconnected or distributed software systems
• Ability to independently own and solve moderately complex technical problems
• Demonstrated ability to learn and work effectively in unfamiliar technical areas
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to work across different parts of the software stack
• Strong communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering disciplines

Nice to Have

• Professional experience with both Python and C++
• Experience with AWS Lambda or other serverless and event-driven architectures
• Experience with robotics, automation, embedded systems, or software that interacts with physical equipment
• Experience developing software for automated dispensing, inventory management, order fulfillment, or similar operational systems
• Experience with system integration, device communication, or software supporting physical workflows
• Hands-on experience with SQL or NoSQL databases
• Familiarity with CI/CD, automated testing, and software deployment practices

Why Alert Venture Foundry

At Alert Venture Foundry, engineers work directly on products that combine software, robotics, automation, cloud infrastructure, and AI. Our teams are small, highly collaborative, and hands-on, giving engineers the opportunity to work across disciplines and see their software move quickly from development into real physical systems.

This role provides the opportunity to work across a broad technical stack while developing deeper expertise in the areas that best match your strengths and interests.

Alert Venture Foundry is an equal opportunity employer. We value different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive workplace.