Staff Software Engineer, AI/ML Focus

Role Overview:

As Cambiar expands its national portfolio of education innovation initiatives, we are scaling our digital ecosystem—integrating systems, data, and tools and building products that power our mission. We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer, AI/ML Focus to join our Technology team, reporting to the SVP, Technology. This role is critical in building the next generation of our products and internal tools.

You will be a lead software engineer skilled at AI and product development; passionate about using technology to drive positive social impact. In this role, you will take significant ownership of technical projects and building tools and products directly or guiding the work of product development contractors/vendors in partnership with various Cambiar product teams. The ideal candidate brings deep technical acumen and user-focussed problem solving, combined with the ability to move fast and lay sound groundwork for future scale. This role requires balancing operational excellence with the flexibility and creativity that drive innovation.

What you’ll do:

This role requires hands-on execution, a builder mindset and expertise in AI and software development (esp backend and data systems). You will be building tools and products to enable both internal efficiencies and external products; in partnership with product teams and where relevant dev vendors. 

Core Responsibilities:

• AI Product Development: Lead the design, prototyping, development, and deployment of new user-facing products and internal tooling, with a heavy emphasis on leveraging Artificial Intelligence both within the product and in product development. Implement AI applications/models and tuning/RAG where needed. Build products/features, starting with MVPs and iterating based on user feedback, while establishing reusable patterns for future development.
• System Architecture, Health & Sustainability: As part of broader product development, build and ensure systems are reliable, secure, performant, and aligned with business objectives leveraging both existing or (where needed) helping build new organizational infrastructure and data systems. Support the health and sustainability of the codebase—notice and advocate for patterns that allow code to be flexible, scalable, and approachable to other engineers. 
• Communication, Collaboration & Iteration: While leading and owning AI product development and related aspects, communicate and collaborate closely across multiple roles/stakeholders eg. with Product Management to scope and execute product features per prioritization and roadmap or with Software Development Vendors to design/build/maintain parts of the product. Lean into our value of rapid learning cycles—gathering and improving product per constant feedback.
• Security & Compliance Champion: Champion security and privacy, including looking for ways to make it easier to safeguard FERPA/COPPA compliance for sensitive data and incorporate security best practices. Implement data privacy and security best practices within products and AI applications.

This Role Is for You If…

• You bring 5+ years of software engineering experience with 2+ years of hands-on AI/ML product development ; including developing new web/mobile and AI applications from scratch with rapid iterations. We value proven ability to ship AI features over years of general experience; including leveraging AI for automations and product experience with LLM tools eg. LangChain.
• You possess backend expertise and proficiency in building scalable, robust APIs and systems; including microservices architecture and agile development methodologies.
• You thrive in dynamic, entrepreneurial settings, balancing structure with adaptability and creative problem-solving. You possess a comfort with a startup mindset, taking initiative, and dealing with ambiguity.
• You can collaborate effectively with cross-functional partners in product, data, policy, and more.
• You are an excellent communicator who can translate and motivate complex technical topics into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• You have some core tech/AI skills:  Python, experience with LLM applications (LangChain/similar), and modern web frameworks (AWS/GCP). Nice to have: Experience with our specific stack (Rails, React, PostgreSQL)
• Experience in education, nonprofit, or social impact organizations (EdTech) is a plus.

What you’ll get:

• Salary range of $140,000-$170,000 per year depending on experience, location and aligned title
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision benefits
• Paid vacation and sick time, plus organizationally-observed holidays throughout the year
• Access to optional benefits such as 401(k) Retirement Plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), HSA/FSA, pet insurance, etc.
• Stipends to partially cover phone and internet costs, home office set-up, and wellness
• Team retreats and meetings during the year to meet your teammates or see our work in-person

Work environment:

Although our team works remotely, you are expected to engage in overnight travel at least 2x throughout the year to various US cities to meet up with other team members (in-person retreats, other program-related meetings and events), and be ready to play an active role in contributing to our collaborative, inclusive culture.

We’re looking for applicants who are comfortable working remotely and who have experience successfully collaborating with team members across different time zones. Your core working days and hours will be M-F within 8am-6pm, with the ability to flex according to workload, scheduled calls and in-person/virtual meetings.

About our organization:

Founded in 2016 as the first K-12 nonprofit venture studio, Cambiar Education saw untapped potential in the marketplace that could change the world of education - an opportunity to foster and advance radical, innovative ideas that massively accelerate student success for all. Since then, Cambiar has propelled over 100 game-changing ventures that operate at the speed of innovation, cultivated a diverse portfolio of bold and visionary leaders, and built a connected community anchored in a commitment to creating and scaling solutions that center our most vulnerable youth. As a member of the Cambiar Education team, you will help change the marketplace for education innovation to prove undeniably that every student can succeed and thrive.

Our Core Values:

We’re committed to living our organization's core values:

• CREATE 🌎 We create to make a transformative difference in the world. We are eternally optimistic and develop game-changing solutions.
• LOVE ❤️ We do this work because we believe in the tremendous talent and human potential of all; we seek to discover, engage, and celebrate everyone's unique "superpowers." We seek out and lean into diverse ideas, joyful debates, and direct feedback.
• GROW 🌱 We have a crazy curiosity, love big challenges, and aren't afraid to fail. We accelerate growth and impact so change agents and change efforts reach their fullest potential.
• LAUGH 😄 We laugh often and out loud; creativity is best fostered when we are having fun! We defer judgment so we can all laugh, dance, sing, and express "like no one is watching."
• DARE 🚀 We dare to dream big, take bold action, and challenge the impossible. We embrace risk, push boundaries, and step into the unknown with strength and courage, knowing that growth lies beyond comfort.

Our Equal Opportunity Employer Intentions:

At Cambiar Education, we believe everyone can make a positive impact. To support that view, we aim to cultivate an inclusive workplace that champions educational success for all and advances the communities we serve. We believe that a variety of perspectives and experiences strengthens our community and enhances our impact. Our commitment to provide an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where every individual feels respected and valued, underscores our mission of creating life changing impact for one million youth.

Cambiar Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles, including braids, locks, and twists), ethnicity, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, sex (including childbirth, breast feeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age (40 and over), protected medical condition (including cancer and genetic conditions), genetic information, disability (mental and physical), reproductive health decision-making, medical leave or other types of protected leave (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This policy extends to all aspects of our employment practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, compensation, benefits, training, leaves of absence, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Together, we can create a welcoming environment that empowers every member of our community.