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# Lead Software Engineers

- **Company:** Next Step Systems
- **Location:** San Francisco, CA, United States (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Software Quality, Code Review, Machine Learning, Large Language Models, Backend
- **Published:** September 3, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/a6aa9c84-8435-441d-9e1c-4da9e1c598a8

## About the Role

Artificial Intelligence (AI) experience is required.

 - Significant experience leading application or product engineering for complex systems.

 - Strong hands-on background building and shipping backend systems used in production.

 - Experience building AI-powered products or systems that integrate with modern Machine Learning (ML)/Large Language Model (LLM) capabilities.

 - Strong technical judgment and the ability to make decisions with incomplete information.

 - Comfortable working across backend and client platforms, with deep expertise in at least one.

 - A strong bias toward ownership, shipping, and learning from real-world usage.

 - High standards for code quality, reliability, and engineering fundamentals.

Benefits include medical insurance, Dental, Vision, Savings Plan Options, PTO, etc.

Keywords: San Francisco CA Jobs, Engineering Lead, AI, Artificial Intelligence, AI Email Applications, APIs, Backend, Desktop, IT Lead, LLM, Large Language Model, Lead Software Engineer, ML, Machine Learning, Mobile, Work From Home, Remote, California Recruiters, IT Jobs, California Recruiting

## Description

Own the application engineering strategy and execution across backend, mobile, and desktop.

 - Design reliable systems for AI-powered workflows, including state, orchestration, tool use, retries, fallbacks, and failure handling.

 - Build the APIs and abstractions that connect Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to real-world product experiences.

 - Lead a small, senior engineering team and raise the technical bar through design reviews, code reviews, and hands-on mentorship.

 - Make high-impact trade-offs across latency, reliability, cost, security, and user experience.

 - Establish strong production foundations: observability, monitoring, testing, and operational excellence.

 - Partner closely with Machine Learning (ML) leadership to turn model capabilities into robust, shippable product experiences.

 - Move quickly while keeping the architecture simple, maintainable, and ready to scale., Looking to hire a Lead Software Engineer in San Francisco, CA or in other cities? Our IT recruiting agencies and staffing companies can help.


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