Associate Engineer Software

Socket.dev; Town of Pittsford (NY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Paylocity’s AI Labs is seeking an early-career software engineer to join a foundational Rochester, NY-based team (Pittsford). You’ll build real AI-enabled features, ship prototypes, and work hands-on with data and production systems in a collaborative, hybrid environment.

You’ll use frontier AI tools regularly and grow technical depth through close mentorship, sprint cycles, and direct feedback, with ownership increasing as you demonstrate readiness.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• Hands-on coding experience from coursework, internships, or personal projects.
• Knowledge of programming fundamentals and at least one modern language; exposure to .NET/C# is a plus.
• Some exposure to AI/LLM technologies.

Responsibilities

• Build and ship features and prototypes across AI Labs' bets with production-relevant data.
• Use frontier AI tools as part of daily development workflow.
• Participate in sprint planning, code reviews, demos, and retros.
• Work closely with manager and teammates to build technical depth with regular feedback.
• Take on increasing ownership and complexity as readiness is shown.

Skills

Software engineering fundamentals

.NET/C# familiarity

AI technologies interest

Frontier AI tools

Growth mindset

Education

BS/BA in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Claude

Copilot

Job description

Description

AI Labs & the Team

AI Labs is Paylocity's team for rapid AI experimentation — we test and validate new AI-driven ideas quickly, with a bias toward hands-on building over long planning cycles. We're growing a new, early-career-focused engineering team based in the Rochester, NY area. You'll join a small, founding team of early-career engineers based in the Rochester, NY area (Pittsford), working hands-on across real AI Labs bets under a dedicated technical manager.

Who You Are

• Solid foundation in software engineering fundamentals like data structures, algorithms, and at least one modern programming language built through coursework, internships, or personal projects.
• Comfortable picking up new languages and stacks quickly; familiarity with .NET/C# is a plus.
• Genuinely curious about AI technologies, with real interest in integrating AI services and LLMs into working software, not just reading about them.
• Fluent, or eager to quickly become fluent, in frontier AI tools (Claude, Copilot, or similar) as part of your daily workflow.
• Curious and growth-oriented, energized by learning something new every week.
• Looking for real ownership and mentorship early in your career, not a rotation through busywork.
• Based in the Rochester, NY area, working hybrid alongside your team and manager.
• Graduated within the last 12 months from a Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related program (or equivalent experience).

What You Will Do

• Build and ship real features and prototypes across AI Labs' active bets, working directly with production-relevant systems and data.
• Use frontier AI tools as part of your everyday development workflow.
• Participate fully in the team's agile process like sprint planning, code review, demos, retros.
• Work closely with your manager and teammates to build technical depth quickly, with regular, direct feedback on your work.
• Take on increasing ownership and complexity as you demonstrate readiness.

What You Bring

• BS/BA in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Hands-on coding experience from coursework, internships, or personal projects.
• Working knowledge of programming fundamentals (data structures, algorithms) and at least one modern language; exposure to .NET/C# is a plus.
• Some exposure to, or genuine interest in, AI/LLM technologies.
• Strong communication skills and comfort collaborating closely in a small, in-person team.

Physical requirements

Ability to sit for extended periods: The role requires sitting at a desk or workstation for long periods, typically 7-8 hours a day.

Use of computer and phone systems: The employee must be able to operate a computer, use phone systems, and type. This includes using multiple software programs and inquiries simultaneously.

Paylocity is an equal-opportunity employer. Paylocity is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. At Paylocity, we believe diversity makes us better.

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, culture, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We actively cultivate these differences through our employee resource groups (ERGs), employee experiences, perspectives, talents, and approaches to drive innovation in the software and services we provide our customers.

We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail]. This email address is exclusively designated for such requests, aligning with federal and state disability laws. Please do not send resumes to this email address, as they will be removed.

The base pay range for this position is $70,000 - $100,000 /yr; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to a full range of benefits outlined here. This information is provided per the relevant state and local pay transparency laws for the location in which this position will be performed. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via www.paylocity.com/careers.