Staff Software Engineer (Full Stack, AI Platform, Life Sciences)

Client is a 25-person AI startup accelerating drug discovery for pharma and biotech. Hypergrowth, top-priority hire.

You'll own foundational systems on a platform used by world-class researchers — from design through production.

• →Build across the full stack from scratch — frontend and backend
• →Design and own scalable backend services, APIs, and data pipelines
• →Ship fast within sprint cycles, contributing to production within your first few weeks
• →Translate complex scientific workflows into clean, high-performance software

• 4+ years professional full-stack or backend engineering (no internships)
• Built and shipped production systems at an early-stage or high-growth startup — founder or early employee background a strong plus
• Experience with data-intensive applications and scalable system design
• Proficiency in Python and React; Django and GraphQL a plus
• BS in CS, STEM, or equivalent technical background from top school
• Interest in life sciences, drug discovery, or computational biology

• Intellectually curious, asks good questions, engages deeply with the problem space
• Thrives in high-communication, in-person team environments
• Based in SF or willing to relocate; 4–5 days on-site

• Pure big pharma/life sciences software backgrounds with no startup exposure
• Big tech only, no product-forward experience
• Multiple stints under 8 months