Job Description
SandboxAQ is a high-growth company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world's greatest challenges. The company’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) power advances in life sciences, financial services, navigation, cybersecurity, and other sectors.
We are a global team that is tech-focused and includes experts in AI, chemistry, cybersecurity, physics, mathematics, medicine, engineering, and other specialties. The company emerged from Alphabet Inc. as an independent, growth capital-backed company in 2022, funded by leading investors and supported by a braintrust of industry leaders.
At SandboxAQ, we’ve cultivated an environment that encourages creativity, collaboration, and impact. By investing deeply in our people, we’re building a thriving, global workforce poised to tackle the world's epic challenges. Join us to advance your career in pursuit of an inspiring mission, in a community of like-minded people who value entrepreneurialism, ownership, and transformative impact.
The Opportunity
Introduction to the team:
We are a multidisciplinary team solving challenging problems with AI + Quantum for positive impact. Our team enables cross-pollination across physics, computer science, neuroscience, and mathematics, coalescing diverse talent to create an environment where experimental thinking yields breakthrough solutions in drug discovery and chemistry simulation.
Introduction to the role:
The Engineering Team is looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to join our team. This role is central to our efforts to: build and scale the platform that powers our R&D in life sciences and chemistry simulation, contributing to core functionalities, APIs, and data/control planes.
This person will achieve the following goals:
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Develop a high-impact simulation platform by writing high-quality, readable, and well-tested code for chemistry and life sciences R&D.
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Bridge Engineering and R&D by embedding closely with researchers to gather feedback, prioritize requirements, and immediately see the impact of your software.
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Scale Infrastructure and DevOps by contributing to CI/CD pipelines, IaC-managed infrastructure, and cloud orchestration.
Why Join Us?
You will join a culture where thought leadership and technological impact create the "next tech uproar." This is an entrepreneurial environment where you will work across the entire software stack to solve problems that directly advance global scientific initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
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Develop Core Platform Functionalities: Contribute to the design and development of SandboxAQ’s chemistry and life sciences simulation platform, including APIs, data planes, and control planes.
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Collaborate with Product & Research: Work closely with the product team and researchers to gather feedback, measure the impact of developed code on users, and iterate on software solutions.
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Build & Manage Infrastructure: In collaboration with the engineering team, build and manage infrastructure for our simulation and data platforms using IaC and cloud orchestration.
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Drive Engineering Excellence: Participate in planning, design, and sprint ceremonies; review code and lead architectural discussions to ensure software design principles are met.
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Embed with R&D Teams: Work closely with internal scientific stakeholders to assist in delivering project goals and drive the adoption of modern engineering practices and tooling.
Essential Skills & Experience
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3+ years of experience with Python, including deep knowledge of software design principles and architectural patterns.
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API & Database Fundamentals: Experience building REST APIs (best practices) and knowledge of database systems (ORMs, schemas, transactional vs. analytic systems).
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Cloud & Orchestration: Experience with at least one major cloud provider (GCP preferred) and knowledge of cloud orchestration (K8s, batch-type systems) or workflow management (Airflow or similar).
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DevOps & IaC: Proficiency with Terraform (or other IaC), GitOps, and building robust CI/CD pipelines.
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Soft Skills: Excellent communication and collaboration skills with an entrepreneurial, customer-obsessed mindset and the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
Highly Desired Skills & Experience
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Domain Expertise: Experience in advanced materials, drug discovery, or cheminformatics, especially involving AI systems.
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Scientific Computing: Experience delivering scientific code for R&D projects, specifically in simulation and numerical optimization domains.
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High-Performance Computing: Exposure to HPC systems, GPU programming, and optimization.
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AI Applications: Knowledge of AI agents, knowledge graphs, and multi-agent systems.
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Code Quality: A proven track record of writing clean, readable, well-tested, and maintainable code in a fast-moving environment.
Why Join Us?
We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work.
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Compensation: Competitive base salary, performance-based incentives or bonuses (where applicable), and equity participation.
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Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents with generous employer premium contributions, retirement savings with company matching, paid parental leave, and inclusive family-building benefits.
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Work-Life Balance: Flexible paid time off, company-wide seasonal breaks, and support for flexible work arrangements that enable sustainable performance.
Career Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and growth through on-the-job development, cross-functional collaboration, and access to internal learning and development programs.
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