Software Engineer

Chalk; New York (NY); On-site; USD 170,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA/FSA

Retirement savings

Company holidays

Paid time off

Commuter benefits

Meals provided

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Chalk, a New York-based data platform startup, is hiring software engineers to work in person as early-team members. You will build and own core parts of the query planning and execution engine, using Python and Rust, with significant autonomy and ownership.

We seek engineers with strong CS fundamentals, 2+ years of backend experience, and a track record of learning quickly. This is a non-hybrid, in-office role in New York, offering competitive compensation and equity.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional backend software engineering experience.
• Strong working knowledge of computer science fundamentals.
• Ability to own and lead new components of existing systems.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with Chalk’s co-founders.
• Write Python and Rust.
• Design, implement, ship, and maintain components of the query planning and execution engine.
• Iterate rapidly to improve Chalk’s platform in response to customer needs.

Skills

Backend experience

CS fundamentals

Autonomy

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science

Job description

About Chalk

Chalk is building the data platform that powers the future of machine learning applications. We tear down complexity, latency, and scale barriers that have traditionally constrained ML capabilities. Our platform combines Rust-speed performance with elegant tools that developers love to use. Leading companies depend on Chalk for everything from stopping fraudulent credit card swipes, verifying identities, and maximizing clean energy capture. We’ve recently raised a $50 million Series A, led by Felicis.

About the role

We are hiring Software Engineers to join our team. This is an opportunity to join us in-person as an early employee and make a large impact at a high growth start-up. You will tackle challenging engineering problems with a high degree of autonomy and ownership.

We are looking for a software engineer with a strong background in systems engineering. At Chalk we are solving problems drawn from the fields of DBMS query planning & optimization, compilers, and distributed analytical data processing systems.

Chalk uses dynamic and static analysis of Python programs in order to optimize arbitrary user Python code, infers and orchestrates infrastructure implied by the structure of that code, and tracks metadata about flow of data through these systems.

We’re in the office 5 days a week. When unavoidable conflicts come up, we’re flexible. This is not a hybrid role.

What you will do

• Work directly with Chalk’s co-founders

• Write Python and Rust

• Design, implement, ship, and maintain significant components of our query planning and execution engine

• Iterate rapidly to improve Chalk’s platform in response to customer needs

What we’re looking for

• 2+ years experience of professional backend software engineering experience

• Strong working knowledge of computer science fundamentals. We’re not looking for experience from drilling leet code – we need folks who are comfortable building and maintaining real systems

• Comfort with leading development of new components of existing systems, and with taking ownership of existing software

• Track record of learning new concepts quickly

• Ability to work autonomously & to make pragmatic tradeoffs with an eye towards business outcomes

• Strong communication skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Bonus points

• Experience implementing data infrastructure

• Experience with distributed systems/compilers/query planners

• Experience with Rust

• Experience with developing PaaS-like software

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA)

Expert Healthcare Guidance

Retirement savings

15 company holidays each year

15 days of personal time off each year

Flex Commuter Benefits

Daily lunch and dinner on Chalk

Office is fully-stocked with drinks and snacks to fuel your work day.

Staying late? Dinner is on us

Staying even later? Grab an Uber / Lyft home on Chalk

Compensation

Chalk offers early team members a generous salary + equity package based on experience and competitive benefits.

Actual compensation awarded to successful candidates will be based on several factors, including but not limited to: market, location, scope of the position and individual qualifications objectively assessed during the interview process.

Our comprehensive total package plays a major role in how we recognize individuals for the impact they will have on Chalk’s growth and us achieving our goals.

Inclusivity

Chalk is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and provide reasonable accommodations to anyone in need of individualized support.

Compensation

$170K – $280K • Offers Equity