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Senior Software Engineer at Idler
Job Description
Idler builds reinforcement learning environments that teach AI models to code like 0.01% engineers. Our training environments are based on real-world coding scenarios that frontier models will actually encounter.
We've closed a multimillion-dollar contract with a leading foundation lab (the largest they've issued to date). Demand is outpacing our capacity to deliver, so we're scaling the team fast.
What you'll doBuild agentic systems that create and QA coding environments at scale. Most of your day will be spent designing these systems to be extremely sound. A big part of our work is thinking critically about what makes a coding environment and task "good" and "fair". This requires high agency and philosophical thinking alongside technical execution.
Concretely, you'll:
Design and build scaleable systems that generate RL environments
Create automated QA systems to validate environment quality and fairness
Work directly with AI researchers at leading labs to understand what makes training data effective
Support new product lines as we expand beyond coding environments
The founding team, a founding engineer, and a small group of engineers (we're hiring quickly). You'll have direct access to AI researchers at frontier labs.
Tech stackTypescript, React, NodeJS, Postgres, Redis, Vercel, Cursor
BenefitsHealthcare coverage, 401(k), and 15 days PTO.
Meals, coffee, and snacks (that you will actually enjoy) covered during working days.
Latest MacBook Pro and equipment.
Relocation assistance available.
Team offsites and events (we love hanging out).
This is an in-person role in San Francisco. We're a tight-knit founding team and we play to win. Join us if you like to win too.
Typical senior pay: $169k for Software Developers nationally
Senior roles pay 64% more than entry—experience is well rewarded.
Strong candidate leverage
High demand and responsive wages. Negotiate confidently on all fronts.
Who this leverage applies to
Where to negotiate
Likely Possible Unlikely
Use competing offers and timing to your advantage.
Does this path compound?
Both the field and your earnings can grow significantly.
Good time to build expertise—demand will chase supply.