Software Engineer (Backend) – Labs Legal Tech

Thomson Reuters • Ann Arbor, MI

28d • Hybrid

About The Position

Are you a seasoned software engineer with expertise in cloud-based system design and implementation? Thomson Reuters Labs is offering an exciting opportunity to join a cutting-edge team processing millions of documents monthly using advanced AI/ML technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs). Our services power innovative applications like CoCounsel. As a senior engineer in this role, you'll spearhead the design, planning, implementation, and deployment of new services while maintaining and supporting existing ones. You'll be at the forefront of applying AI technologies to legal and business information processing, driving innovation in a fast-paced, high-impact environment. About the Role: In this opportunity as Software Engineer (Backend), you will: Contribute to technical decision-making, influencing the direction of our product design, cloud infrastructure, and application architecture. Implement scalable cloud-based solutions that process millions of documents using cutting-edge AI/ML technologies, including LLMs. Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, product managers, scientists, legal experts, and stakeholders to deliver innovative, market-leading software products. Collaborate on initiatives with autonomy, contributing to a culture of excellence, self-organization, and continuous improvement. Stay at the forefront of evolving technologies, adapting swiftly to changes in cloud platforms, AI/ML advancements, and industry trends. Ensure robust support for client applications and backend services, optimizing performance and reliability. Be involved in the entire software development lifecycle, from conception through deployment, advocating best practices in planning, implementation, testing, and CI/CD. Champion process improvements, implementing methodologies that enhance team efficiency, code quality, and overall project outcomes. Mentor junior engineers, promoting engineering culture and skill development across the team and the enterprise.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
• 4+ years of extensive software development experience, with a strong focus on cloud-native application hosting and maintenance.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in maintaining large-scale distributed applications, preferably using Azure (experience with AWS or GCP is also valuable).
• Proven track record (3+ years) in backend application development using Python, with proficiency in containerization (Docker & Kubernetes), SQL databases, CI/CD tools (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions), version control systems (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitHub), etc.
• Comprehensive understanding of the entire software development lifecycle, including agile methodologies, testing, monitoring, and incident management.
• Experience providing technical leadership within a development team, including but not limited to: mentoring junior developers, reviewing code, training on new technologies / concepts, providing input on technical decisions.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to: Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders Contribute positively to long-term team dynamics and health
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems creatively and effectively.
• Adaptability and eagerness to learn new technologies and methodologies in a rapidly evolving field.
• Interest in learning and using Rust to implement services.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with other languages (e.g. C#, C++, Java, etc.) and/or cloud providers (AWS, GCP) is useful.
• Experience with AI/ML technologies – especially model hosting and deployment (“MLOps”), processing large document volumes, and/or NLP (Natural Language Processing) – is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the legal industry is helpful but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to technical decision-making, influencing the direction of our product design, cloud infrastructure, and application architecture.
• Implement scalable cloud-based solutions that process millions of documents using cutting-edge AI/ML technologies, including LLMs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, product managers, scientists, legal experts, and stakeholders to deliver innovative, market-leading software products.
• Collaborate on initiatives with autonomy, contributing to a culture of excellence, self-organization, and continuous improvement.
• Stay at the forefront of evolving technologies, adapting swiftly to changes in cloud platforms, AI/ML advancements, and industry trends.
• Ensure robust support for client applications and backend services, optimizing performance and reliability.
• Be involved in the entire software development lifecycle, from conception through deployment, advocating best practices in planning, implementation, testing, and CI/CD.
• Champion process improvements, implementing methodologies that enhance team efficiency, code quality, and overall project outcomes.
• Mentor junior engineers, promoting engineering culture and skill development across the team and the enterprise.

Benefits

• Hybrid Work Model: We’ve adopted a flexible hybrid working environment (2-3 days a week in the office depending on the role) for our office-based roles while delivering a seamless experience that is digitally and physically connected.
• Flexibility & Work-Life Balance: Flex My Way is a set of supportive workplace policies designed to help manage personal and professional responsibilities, whether caring for family, giving back to the community, or finding time to refresh and reset. This builds upon our flexible work arrangements, including work from anywhere for up to 8 weeks per year, empowering employees to achieve a better work-life balance.
• Career Development and Growth: By fostering a culture of continuous learning and skill development, we prepare our talent to tackle tomorrow’s challenges and deliver real-world solutions. Our Grow My Way programming and skills-first approach ensures you have the tools and knowledge to grow, lead, and thrive in an AI-enabled future.
• Industry Competitive Benefits: We offer comprehensive benefit plans to include flexible vacation, two company-wide Mental Health Days off, access to the Headspace app, retirement savings, tuition reimbursement, employee incentive programs, and resources for mental, physical, and financial wellbeing.
• Culture: Globally recognized, award-winning reputation for inclusion and belonging, flexibility, work-life balance, and more. We live by our values: Obsess over our Customers, Compete to Win, Challenge (Y)our Thinking, Act Fast / Learn Fast, and Stronger Together.
• Social Impact: Make an impact in your community with our Social Impact Institute. We offer employees two paid volunteer days off annually and opportunities to get involved with pro-bono consulting projects and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
• Making a Real-World Impact: We are one of the few companies globally that helps its customers pursue justice, truth, and transparency. Together, with the professionals and institutions we serve, we help uphold the rule of law, turn the wheels of commerce, catch bad actors, report the facts, and provide trusted, unbiased information to people all over the world.
• In the United States, Thomson Reuters offers a comprehensive benefits package to our employees. Our benefit package includes market competitive health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance programs, as well as a competitive 401k plan with company match. In addition, Thomson Reuters offers market leading work life benefits with competitive vacation, sick and safe paid time off, paid holidays (including two company mental health days off), parental leave, sabbatical leave. These benefits meet or exceeds the requirements of paid time off in accordance with any applicable state or municipal laws. Finally, Thomson Reuters offers the following additional benefits: optional hospital, accident and sickness insurance paid 100% by the employee; optional life and AD&D insurance paid 100% by the employee; Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts; fitness reimbursement; access to Employee Assistance Program; Group Legal Identity Theft Protection benefit paid 100% by employee; access to 529 Plan; commuter benefits; Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance; Tuition Reimbursement; and access to Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level