Staff Software Engineer - Data Platform

Build a safer world with us, one incident at a time.
Ambient.ai is a unified, AI-powered physical security platform helping the world’s leading enterprises reduce risk, improve operational efficiency, and gain critical insights. Seven of the top 10 U.S. technology companies, along with multiple Fortune 500 organizations, rely on Ambient.ai to modernize their physical security infrastructure.

Our platform uses advanced AI and computer vision to seamlessly integrate with existing camera and sensor systems, enabling real-time monitoring and proactive threat detection. By reducing false alarms by over 95%, Ambient.ai allows security teams to focus on real threats and prevent incidents before they occur.

Founded in 2017 and backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, and Allegion Ventures, Ambient.ai is a Series B company on a mission to make every security incident preventable.

We’ve found that in-person time meaningfully supports collaboration, creativity, and team alignment. Our engineering, product, design, and marketing teams work from our Redwood City office 3 days per week. All other Bay Area employees join on Fridays to stay connected and close out the week together.

Ready to learn more? Connect with us on LinkedIn and YouTube

About the role:

Reporting to Raghu Nallamothu, this Staff Data Platform Engineer role is a unique opportunity to establish the foundational direction and strategy for the data platform team. As the founding member, you will take the lead in designing, building, and scaling data storage and caching systems to petabyte-level capacity, setting the standard for reliability, availability, and performance in support of mission-critical applications. Additionally, you’ll have a pivotal role in pioneering retrieval-augmented generation systems, setting a precedent for cutting-edge data-driven capabilities at Ambient.ai.

What you'll do:

• You will lead the design, development, and scaling of our data storage and caching systems to petabyte scale while also spearheading the development of advanced retrieval augmented generation systems. 

• Develop highly efficient caching systems that obliterate latency, ensuring lightning-fast data access.

• Tackle data infrastructure challenges head-on, swiftly troubleshooting and resolving issues to minimize downtime.

• Lead groundbreaking efforts in the retrieval of augmented generation systems, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

What you'll bring:

• Foundational Engineering Leadership: Significant experience in software engineering with a specialization in architecting, optimizing, and scaling data infrastructure, ideally as a founding or principal engineer.

• Visionary Data Store Architecting: Proven track record of architecting and scaling data stores to accommodate petabyte-level data volumes, with a clear vision for long-term data infrastructure strategy.

• Advanced Caching System Design: In-depth experience in designing high-efficiency caching systems to eliminate latency, enabling near-instantaneous data access across applications.

• Database & Infrastructure Mastery: Hands-on expertise in scaling, managing, and fine-tuning complex database systems, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, and OpenSearch, to meet enterprise-level demands.

• Programming & Software Development Excellence: Strong programming skills, particularly in Python and C++, with expertise in applying software development best practices to ensure robust, maintainable code.

• Distributed Data Processing Frameworks: Familiarity with distributed data processing frameworks, and a comprehensive understanding of various database management systems to guide strategic technology decisions.

• Retrieval-Augmented Generation Systems Expertise: A solid background in retrieval-augmented generation systems and their application within data workflows, with the ability to leverage this technology for innovation.

Salary and Equity:

At Ambient.ai, we take a market-based approach to compensation. Final offers are based on job-related skills, experience, location, and internal equity.

Base salary is just one part of our total rewards package, including stock options and the opportunity to share in the company’s growth.

The starting base salary range for this role in Redwood City: $188,000 - $230,000

Why join us:

• We are creating an entirely new category within a 180+ billion-dollar physical security industry and looking for team members who are also passionate about our mission to prevent every security incident possible 

• We partner with an incredible customer roster of F500 companies, including Adobe, TikTok, Gap and SentinelOne

• Regular Full-time employees receive stock options for the opportunity to share ownership in the success of our company 

• Comprehensive health + welfare package (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, EAP, Legal Services, 401k plan)

• We offer flexible time off to rest and recharge, including Winter Break (time off between Christmas and New Year’s for most roles, depending on customer demand)

• The latest tech and awesome swag will be delivered to your door

• Enjoy a full range of opportunities to connect with your awesome co-workers

• We love to hike, are foodies, and love music! Check out our most recent Ambient Spotify Playlist

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Ambient.ai is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Ambient does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. Ambient is an E-Verify participant.