• Review AI research projects and raise the quality of their Python code design (module/class/function structure, typing, testing, packaging)
• Build out the production framework for AI solutions: a well-designed package/library API, async scalable orchestrators, coherent REST endpoints, and the data models the solution requires
• Take research and prototype AI code to scalable, reliable production, owning quality and standards before release
• Apply low-level language skills (C, C++, or Rust) to optimize performance-critical paths as needed
• Lead optimization of the firm’s PHP workloads: implement low-level alternatives where warranted, or re-architect so Python (or a low-level service) owns the business logic and PHP simply calls it
• Partner with QA to define and meet testing and acceptance goals; build monitoring and validation around AI pipelines
• Contribute to shared frameworks (private PyPI/polyrepo packaging) and DevOps (GitHub Actions, Helm-based deployment)
• Mentor analysts and associates and act as a senior reviewer for AI and engineering work

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer science, Engineering, a quantitative field, or equivalent practical experience
• 6+ years of software/data engineering experience, including production ownership and demonstrable technical leadership or mentorship
• Expert Python: idiomatic, well-structured code (modules/classes/functions), strong testing and packaging discipline, and hands-on experience taking research/prototype code to scalable production
• Production experience with Celery (or comparable async/distributed task orchestration), Flask (or similar) services, and SQLAlchemy (or comparable ORM) data modeling
• Working proficiency in at least one low-level language (C, C++, or Rust) for performance optimization
• Demonstrated ability to lead code review and own quality for a team - not just individual deliverables
• Strong communication skills; comfortable partnering with research teams and owning JIRA coordination

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• AI engineering experience: ETL and RAG pipelines, LLM API integration, document extraction
• Experience profiling and optimizing performance-critical code, and interfacing low-level code with Python (e.g., bindings/extensions)
• Familiarity with PHP
• Familiarity with Kubernetes and GitHub Actions (or comparable CI/CD)
• Familiarity with finance, private markets, or investment data domains, Candidates must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Salary Range: $140,000

The salary range is an estimate of pay for this position. Actual pay may vary depending on job-related factors that can include location, education, skill, and experience. The salary range does not include any benefits or other forms of possible compensation that may be available to employees.

LI-Hybrid

At StepStone, we believe that our people are our most important asset and crucial to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to create an environment that empowers our employees and allows them to be heard, regardless of title or tenure. Our organizational community features multiple Employment Resource Groups as well as mentorship programs to enhance the employee experience for all.