At Just Appraised, we’re replacing outdated, manual local government workflows with modern software used by hundreds of government agencies across the United States. Our cutting-edge, AI-powered software, which replaces manual data entry to eliminate delays, backlogs, and errors. This work directly impacts how communities fund schools, infrastructure, and public services.
About the Role
As a Software Engineer at Just Appraised on our API platform team, you'll be the foundation other engineers build on, owning the platforms and systems that power our products and enable our teams to move fast, ship confidently, and scale without friction.
This is a rare opportunity to shape the technical backbone of a company modernizing critical government infrastructure. You won't just write code, you'll define how we build, set the standards others follow, and have a direct hand in expanding access to better public services across the country.
We don't have QA teams, dedicated designers, or product managers. We believe the best software is built by engineers who are empowered to own the entire journey. Here, you aren’t just executing on a spec; you are the architect, the designer, and the guardian of your code. You will scope the solution, build the interface, and support the production systems that keep local governments running. If you thrive in ambiguity and find "hand-offs" more frustrating than fulfilling, you’ll fit right in. If you prefer a neatly defined roadmap and a team to catch bugs before they ship, we’re likely not the right place for you.
What You Will Work On
- Design & Build: Lead the development and operation of our API platforms and shared backend systems, ensuring high availability and performance.
- Empower Developers: Improve the Developer Experience by creating systems that allow our product teams to move faster.
- Iterate and Improve: Focus on developing features in pieces, allowing the team to move quickly and build off of reusable building blocks.
- Navigate Ambiguity: Work closely with stakeholders to turn evolving product needs into concrete technical roadmaps.
- Modernize Workflows: Utilize and advocate for modern AI-augmented development tools to keep our engineering velocity high.
Tech Stack
- Backend: Java, Kotlin, NodeJS, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, SpiceDB, CockroachDB, GraphQL
- Frontend: React, TypeScript
- Infrastructure: AWS, Docker, Terraform, CI/CD
- Developer Tools: GitHub, Linear, Cursor, Claude Code
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for an engineer who thinks deeply about systems and cares about the people using them. We value trajectory as much as experience — if you've grown fast, taken on hard problems, and consistently leveled up, we want to talk. You should have:
- Platform Expertise: Proven experience building and operating backend systems and managing infrastructure as code.
- Technical Depth: A strong command of GraphQL and REST API design principles and a "platform-as-a-product" mindset.
- Security Mindset: Practical experience with authentication and authorization frameworks (OAuth, ReBAC, etc.).
- Modern Tooling DNA: Experience with AI-native workflows (Claude Code, Cursor) and robust CI/CD practices.
- Competitive compensation and stock equity plan
- Comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Company sponsored pre-tax retirement savings program (401k)
- A flexible work environment that supports working from home
- Flexible PTO
- Parental Leave
- Home office stipend
Skills Required
- Proven experience building and operating backend systems and managing infrastructure as code.
- Strong command of GraphQL and REST API design principles.
- Practical experience with authentication and authorization frameworks.
- Experience with AI-native workflows and robust CI/CD practices.
What We Do
Just Appraised makes software for local governments. Our goal is to empower local government employees with the tools, technology, and support they need so they can deliver exceptional service to their taxpayers and feel proud of the work they do for their communities. We contribute by building software to streamline local government tax assessors’ workflows using machine learning. Specifically, we streamline the change of ownership process for real estate and create more seamless ways for tax offices to communicate digitally with their taxpayers.
