Software Development Engineer，SDE

📍 Location: San Francisco (Onsite / Hybrid)
About Topify.ai Topify.ai is a Silicon Valley–based technology company pioneering Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) — the world’s first dedicated approach to optimizing brand visibility in AI-driven search. We help clients improve accuracy, visibility, and conversion performance across LLM search, AI-driven recommendations, and multimodal generation platforms. Backed by over $10M in funding, our team brings experience from Stanford, Kuaishou, and Tencent, blending expertise in algorithms, strategy, creativity, brand investment, and execution. As a Founding Member + Head of Engineering, you’ll not only lead the technical direction, but also write core code yourself, working side by side with the founding team to bring the platform from 0 →1.
Responsibilities

• Hands-on coding: Take ownership of core backend and infrastructure code, ensuring high quality and performance in the critical path.
• Technical leadership: Define the technical architecture, engineering vision, and long-term roadmap for the platform.
• Backend architecture: Build a microservices ecosystem with Spring Boot 3 + Kotlin/Java, designing high-concurrency APIs, task scheduling, and access control systems.
• Data infrastructure: Design and optimize PostgreSQL models and queries, powering large-scale data collection, ETL pipelines, and real-time analytics.
• System evolution: Drive caching, messaging, CI/CD, and containerized deployment, ensuring performance and scalability.
• Team building: While coding, help build and mentor an engineering team, shaping the company’s engineering culture and practices.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with frontend and algorithm teams to integrate LLM-driven intelligence into data analytics products.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related fields.
• Strong coding expertise in Kotlin/Java + Spring Boot 3.
• Proficiency with PostgreSQL, Redis, Linux, Docker/Compose or Podman.
• Experience with distributed systems, async task handling, and high-concurrency architecture.
• A founder’s mindset: self-driven, hands-on, and comfortable taking responsibility across architecture, coding, and team leadership.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Kafka, Flink, Redis, or other distributed systems.
• Experience with headless crawlers or large-scale data processing.
• Background in AI Agent development or LLM integration, understanding data + AI use cases.
• Prior experience as a Tech Lead or Founding Engineer in an early-stage startup.

What We Offer

• Hands-on challenges: work daily on massive data pipelines, low-latency services, and cross-platform deployment.
• Growth path: clear trajectory from Core Engineer → Tech Lead → Head of Engineering.
• Collaboration: work closely with Stanford researchers and senior architects from Tencent/Kuaishou, combining academic insight with industry expertise.
• Long-term opportunities: support for CPT/OPT/H1B, with official headcount and global growth potential.