Staff Software Engineer (Applied AI)

Traba; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 240,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Start-up equity

Competitive Salary

100% Paid health, dental & vision coverage

Dinner Provided via DoorDash

Commuter benefit

Gympass Benefit

Job summary

Traba is looking for an experienced product engineer to build AI-driven applications and automate staffing pipelines. This role requires strong leadership and technical skills across the stack, with a focus on architecture and backend performance.

The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience with TypeScript/Node.js or Python, and a history of successfully delivering projects in high-pressure environments. You will join a pioneering team and contribute directly to scaling Traba's innovative platform.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with TypeScript/Node.js or Python.
• Track record of shipping high-velocity projects.
• Experience with AI/LLM systems in production is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and core systems for real-time matching.
• Automate staffing pipeline using AI-assisted tooling.
• Drive backend performance and reliability.

Skills

TypeScript/Node.js

Python

PostgreSQL

Kafka or RabbitMQ

API Design

Data Modeling

Distributed Systems

Job description

Traba is the AI operating layer for the industrial supply chain. We started in workforce—temp staffing, the biggest operational pain point for the manufacturing and logistics customers we serve—and used it to embed ourselves inside their daily operations and create a far better customer experience through technology. Now those same customers are pulling us beyond staffing into the broader operational workflows that run their facilities. That foundation gave us proprietary data from millions of shifts and deep enterprise relationships. But our edge is more than data: by connecting to the systems running across every facility and activating the workers already on our platform to execute against them, we are building applied AI that drives real productivity gains and transforms how the global supply chain operates at scale. Traba is backed by Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures, and General Catalyst.

You’ll build Traba’s product on top of AI agents—and set the standard for how we do it. You’ll put frontier models and existing agents to work across our staffing marketplace to automate the pipeline that sources, vets, matches, and places workers on millions of shifts—and own the core backend services and platform it all runs on. (Our AI Agents team builds the agent platform; you make it real across the stack.) This is a platform‑engineering role first, so you’ll go where the priorities are: the infrastructure an agent needs one quarter, a matching, data, or scaling problem the next. You’ll join the founding team, partner with our CTO on key architectural decisions, iterate on the roadmap, and build the foundational platform that scales over the next several years.

About You:

• An applier who sets the bar. You wire frontier models and existing agents into real product across the stack—and set the standard for how the team does it. You don’t need to own the orchestration internals; you make them real in production, and you know which corners are safe to cut at an early stage.
• Voracious learner. You move easily from API design to deployment infrastructure.
• Deep full‑stack experience. You’ve designed performant, scalable applications with real expertise in APIs, data modeling, query optimization, and distributed systems.

You Will:

• Set the standard for how we apply agents across the stack to automate the staffing pipeline—and for how the team builds with AI‑assisted tooling.
• Architect and lead core systems—from real‑time matching to autonomous vetting pipelines powered by ML and agents.
• Own architecture for the platform, thinking ahead to what the company will need a year or two out.
• Drive backend performance, reliability, and scale.

You Have:

• 7+ years with TypeScript/Node.js or Python, PostgreSQL, and messaging (Kafka or RabbitMQ).
• A track record of shipping and leading projects at scale with high velocity.
• Experience building or integrating AI/LLM systems in production is a plus—what matters most is the judgment to lead the team into it.
• Comfort owning ambiguity and direction in an early‑stage environment.

Benefits:

• Start‑up equity
• Competitive Salary
• 100% Paid health, dental & vision coverage
• Dinner Provided via DoorDash, free DashPass & stocked kitchen for NY employees
• Commuter benefit
• Gympass Benefit
• Additional: One Medical Membership, Gympass, HSA via Optum, Talkspace, HealthAdvocate, Teledoc Health

Salary Range Details

The compensation range for this position is set between $240,000 and $300,000, reflecting our market analysis and other relevant considerations. However, exceptions may be made for candidates with qualifications that significantly differ from those outlined in the job description.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Traba is dedicated to promoting Equal Opportunity employment practices. We evaluate all applicants without discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation and identity, genetic information, veteran status, citizenship, or any other characteristics that are legally protected by local, state, or federal regulations. We encourage applicants from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets.

Our Values

Dream Big - We are on a path to change the world for the better. We create and communicate a bold direction that inspires a life‑changing vision. We don’t sacrifice long‑term value for short‑term results.

Olympian’s Work Ethic - Changing the world never comes easy. We work harder, longer, and smarter, not just two out of three. We put everything we have on the field.

Growth Mindset - We confront the toughest challenges head‑on and persevere. Sometimes we fail, but we brush ourselves off, adapt, learn, and push forward with resilience.

Customer Obsession - We go the extra mile for our workers and businesses. We remain focused on delivering high‑quality products and services that solve this massive and overlooked industries’ problems.

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