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AstronomerAstronomerNew York, NY

Senior Software Engineer, Build

Build and scale Astronomer's AI-powered context layer for data platforms, focusing on semantic search, retrieval, code generation, and applied AI using LLMs and embeddings. Requires 5+ years software engineering experience with Python or Go, strong interest in data/AI tools, and comfort with ambiguity in early-stage product development.

200k – 230k/yr
Hybrid5+ YOEML Engineering

About the role

What you get to do

  • Shape the future of AI for data engineering - build intelligent systems that understand, reason about, and optimize the flow of data across entire organizations.
  • Design and engineer the brain of Astronomer’s context layer, crafting components that power data modeling, semantic search, retrieval, and code generation.
  • Push the boundaries of applied AI - experiment with LLMs, embeddings, and cutting-edge retrieval techniques to create developer tools that deliver insights to you and our customers.
  • Turn research into reality - work side by side with R&D and product teams to bring early AI concepts to life in the product experience.
  • Solve high-impact information retrieval and search challenges at a global scale, leveraging Astronomer’s unparalleled visibility into data pipelines across industries.
  • Influence the technical vision and architecture for the next generation of AI-driven data products.
  • Represent Astronomer in the community - through open-source contributions, technical talks, and publications that showcase our leadership in AI and data innovation.

What you bring to the role

  • 5-8 years of software engineering experience with Python or Go
  • Empathy for users, and a deep interest in improving the workflows of data professionals.
  • Familiarity with early-stage product development; comfortable working with ambiguity in a fast-changing field.
  • Experience with LLMs, vector databases, embeddings, or other applied AI areas—or a strong desire to dive in.
  • A creative, experimental mindset: you enjoy exploring uncharted areas, validating hypotheses, and learning through iteration.
  • Strong collaboration and communication skills—you can explain complex systems clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • A collaborative approach and comfort working in an evolving, research-driven environment where ideas move quickly.

Bonus points if you have:

  • A passion for AI systems for data, developer tools, or machine learning infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with Apache Airflow or other orchestration tools.
  • Demonstrated contributions to open source projects.
  • Experience in search, IR, or large-scale data infrastructure.
  • Exposure to early-stage startups or R&D organizations where ambiguity is the norm.
  • Experience building out agentic systems on top of frontier models.

Compensation: The estimated total compensation for this role ranges from $200,000 - $230,000 based on leveling and geography, along with an equity component and a comprehensive benefits package.

Skills

PythonGoLLMsVector DatabasesEmbeddingsapache airflowsemantic searchinformation retrieval

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