Software Engineer (Backend) Save

About Cortico

Cortico is a non-profit committed to fostering constructive conversations and surfacing underheard voices. We believe that intentionally designed and intentionally deployed technology can enable communities to achieve these aims in ways that are more inclusive and scalable.

Our platform brings people together in recorded small-group conversations. Through a powerful combination of AI and human listening, this platform enables organizations to make sense of the conversations they collect, and surfaces community voices into public dialogue and decision making.

Communities have used our platform to lift up voices and perspectives in the selection of Madison, WI’s police chief and the election of Boston’s mayor. Local newsrooms have used our platform to understand citizen agendas and include underheard voices directly in their reporting. Global nonprofits are using our platform to elevate conversations on climate from around the world. Local non-profits have used our platform to surface experiences of people in the margins and amplify their voices through artist collaborations.

Whether in person, on a laptop, or on a phone, we are committed to meeting people where they are. Our platform continues to grow, in both mobile and web format, as we leverage emerging technologies to enhance the process of understanding rich conversation data.

Cortico’s unique human/machine system is the product of an effort led by Cortico in cooperation with MIT’s Center for Constructive Communication (MIT CCC).

About this role

We are looking for a backend-focused Software Engineer to join our small engineering team.

The primary responsibilities of this role include:

• Designing, building, and maintaining scalable backend services to enable our partners to hold conversations and to process, analyze, and store the resulting audio data and transcripts

• Working with our MIT collaborators to integrate AI/ML models into our production systems

• Building and enhancing APIs that connect our mobile and web applications

• Contributing to architecture decisions that shape our platform's future

• Writing clean, well-tested, and documented code

• Participating in code reviews and helping maintain high code quality standards

• Collaborating cross-functionally with product, design, and research teams

• Mentoring junior engineers and sharing knowledge with the broader team

At Cortico, we look at a number of things when setting compensation—like your experience, skills, certifications, training, and what the role needs. Where you land on our range depends on your unique background and experience, as well as where you live. For this role, the estimated pay range is $105,000 - $125,000. We have competitive benefits which can be found here.

Our team members must be based in the U.S. Unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visas at this time. 

About our culture

Cortico’s team is kind, collaborative, inquisitive and inclusive. We have high standards for quality. We help each other learn in order to reach our objectives. We think technology is best built by teams with a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences. Every team member is a human first, and we strive to create a culture and environment that supports your career goals and respects all of the hats you wear in life, not just the ones that earn you a paycheck.

About our AI approach

At Cortico, we recognize the complexity of building technology that thoughtfully balances human judgement and AI capabilities. We want to avoid push-button AI and instead champion responsible and responsive AI approaches that emphasize transparency, security, human agency, and collaboration.

About you

• You've read about our vision and values and they strongly align with yours.

• You’re passionate about the problems we're working on.

• You value sharing knowledge and learning from both technical and non-technical team members.

• You value accountability, equity and transparency in your work style and seek to design these values into the products you build.

• You have 5+ years of software engineering experience, mostly in a backend role.

• You're well-versed in database design and optimization with PostgreSQL

• You have experience with DevOps practices and tools, especially Kubernetes and AWS

• You are comfortable working on a small team and shifting around the backend, with tasks such as API development, performance optimization, data pipeline design, and operations.

Frontend

• Languages: TypeScript, JavaScript, SCSS

• Frameworks: React + Redux, React Native, Apollo+GraphQL

• Testing: Cypress, React Testing Library

• Visualizations: D3, deck.gl/Mapbox

Backend

• Python: Django, Flask, Falcon

• PostgreSQL

Operations

• Docker

• Kubernetes

• Terraform

Please apply here and include the following information:

• A little about you and your interest in the role. Please share with us why this role excites you and how you see yourself in this work.

• A resumé / cv

• Any links you think may be relevant (i.e. portfolio, GitHub, etc.)

This is not an entry-level position. However, we know great candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds. If you’re passionate about what we’re building at Cortico, don’t hesitate to apply—even if you’re not sure you meet every qualification.

We aim to review and respond to all applicants within three weeks of submission. Our interview process includes multiple rounds:

• An initial phone interview 
• Time bound (2-4 hours) Python take-home assignment. The assignment will give you a chance to work with some of our data, but won't involve building anything of value for Cortico. We want to make sure the take home isn't extractive, but instead gives you an opportunity to assess what it may be like to build software with us. This will be reviewed by members of the Cortico engineering team.
• “On-site” Interviews via Zoom (with breaks!)
  • 10-15 minute technical talk on any topic of interest to you, followed by answering questions from the Cortico engineering team.
  • Meet with members of the backend team to discuss how you might expand upon the take-home exercise, and a short architecture conversation
  • Conversation with a senior engineer and a member of our product team to discuss previous work experiences
• Reference checks.

Through all of these sessions we make sure that you have plenty of time to ask questions of Cortico team members.

Cortico maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations.