# Senior Software Engineer, Build

**Company:** [Astronomer](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/astronomer)
**Location:** New York, NY
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Salary:** $200k – $230k/yr
**Experience:** 5+ years
**Skills:** Python, Go, LLMs, Vector Databases, Embeddings, apache airflow, semantic search, information retrieval
**Posted:** 2026-07-24

> 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.

## Job Description

## 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.

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