Software Engineer I, Annotations

Handshake•San Francisco, CA

8d•$150,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Handshake AI is building the infrastructure that powers how AI work gets delivered at scale. Every project our operators launch, every fellow who works on those projects, and every task that flows through our platform relies on systems built by the HAI Annotation team. As a Software Engineer I on this team, you'll build the core platform that enables operators to configure customer projects, manage complex tasking workflows, and ensure work moves reliably through our delivery pipelines. You'll work on foundational systems that are used across the organization and serve as building blocks for other engineering teams. This is a highly cross-functional role where you'll partner closely with operators, product managers, product designers, and engineers across Handshake AI to create scalable, extensible solutions that improve both fellow and operator experiences.

Requirements

1+ years of professional software engineering experience through internships, full-time roles, research, or significant project work
Strong programming fundamentals and experience building production software
Experience with backend development and distributed systems concepts
Familiarity with modern web technologies and APIs
Experience working with databases and data modeling
Ability to break down complex problems and develop scalable solutions
Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset
Excitement about working closely with operational stakeholders and solving workflow challenges

Nice To Haves

Experience with TypeScript
Experience building internal tools, workflow systems, or platform infrastructure
Exposure to workflow orchestration, pipeline systems, or task management platforms
Experience designing systems that support multiple teams or stakeholders
Familiarity with AI, annotation, or human-in-the-loop workflows
Experience working in fast-moving startup environments

Responsibilities

Build and maintain backend systems that power project configuration and delivery workflows
Develop tools that operators use to set up and manage customer projects
Create scalable tasking and pipeline systems that support complex data generation processes
Improve fellow tasking experiences through automation and workflow enhancements
Design extensible platform capabilities that can be leveraged by multiple teams across Handshake AI
Collaborate closely with operators to understand pain points and translate operational needs into durable, efficient software solutions
Partner with engineers across the organization to ensure platform systems are reliable, flexible, and easy to build upon
Contribute to system architecture, technical design reviews, and engineering best practices