Software Development Engineer I

Neptune Ops is the Influence Operating System for the AI Age. We build and deploy the most advanced digital tools to drive outcomes in public affairs and other precision advertising campaigns across the country.

We help our clients avoid the pitfalls of technology disruptions, and capitalize on the opportunities created by these changes.

As our company continues to grow, you’ll be an important part of building tools for the future of AI-driven persuasion. You’ll see in real time how empowering clients to leverage the latest technology has a tremendous impact on policy, public affairs, elections, and precision B2B advertising. This role is ideal for software engineers with experience contributing to real-world, production systems. You’ll work across the stack to build and improve core product features, collaborate closely with other engineers and product stakeholders, and use modern infrastructure and AI-integrated systems. You’ll also support the development of early-stage systems where patterns are still being defined, with the opportunity to influence both product and technical direction. This position reports directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). As a scaling start-up company, there are endless opportunities to take on challenging assignments and grow.

What you’ll do:

This position designs and builds core full-stack systems across our platform, including:

• End-to-end features spanning frontend interfaces and backend APIs that power data-heavy applications
• Data models and APIs that support complex workflows (e.g., campaigns, entities, influence networks)
• Interactive frontend experiences for exploring, managing, and acting on real-time data
• Systems that connect user actions to backend state, analytics, and decision-making workflows
• Integrations with external APIs and data providers across both frontend and backend layers
• AI-assisted workflows, including research interfaces, memo systems, and agent-driven features
• Early-stage product surfaces where both system design and user experience are still being defined

What we’re looking for:

• 2-4 years of hands-on software development experience
• Strong proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript and/or Python
• Familiarity with modern web frameworks (React, Next.js, or similar)
• Experience working with APIs and backend services
• Understanding of databases (SQL and/or NoSQL)
• Ability to work across the stack and learn new technologies quickly in a flexible fast-paced start-up environment
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Excellent project and time management skills
• Professional, highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Must be located in San Francisco Bay Area
• Must be comfortable being part of an on-call rotation to support emergency issues
• Basic understanding or experience with some of following:

Frontend

• React
• Next.js
• TypeScript
• TailwindCSS

Backend

• Python (FastAPI)
• Node.js / TypeScript

Data \& Storage

• PostgreSQL
• NoSQL / non-relational data stores

Infrastructure \& DevOps

• Docker
• AWS (EC2, S3)
• Nginx
• GitHub Actions

Other Tools

• External APIs
• LLM APIs and AI tooling

Nice to haves:

• Exposure to LLMs or AI/ML-powered applications
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS)
• Experience with Docker and CI/CD pipelines
• Interest in data visualization or analytics platforms
• Interest in public affairs, advocacy, or related fields
• Prior experience of knowledge graph databases

How you'll work:

• We prioritize shipping quickly to \~80% and refining based on real usage.
• We value engineers who can balance speed and polish.
• We value engineers who can think across the full stack, connecting user experience with system design and data models.
• You’ll be expected to make decisions around both frontend implementation and backend architecture, not just one layer.

What to expect:

Our interview process is straightforward and designed to be respectful of your time. You'll start with an informational interview to learn more about the role and share your background. From there, you'll meet with our CTO for a technical conversation that includes a coding exercise. Final-round candidates will join a conversation with both the CTO and CEO.

This is a remote, full-time benefits eligible position. Occasional in person co-work time will be required in San Francisco, and candidates must be based in the San Francisco Bay area. Neptune Ops provides a robust suite of benefits including: discretionary time off, health, dental, vision, mental health, pet, and legal insurance as well as 401(k) match, sick time, holiday pay, and paid time off for bereavement and jury duty. The anticipated base salary range for this position is $125,000-145,000\.

Base compensation is determined by many factors including: geography, the candidate’s skills, experience, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees are eligible for our annual discretionary bonus program.

For consideration, please apply via LinkedIn.

Neptune Ops is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), pregnancy (including childbirth, breastfeeding, and other related medical conditions), marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, hairstyle, reproductive health decision-making, exercise of right to bereavement leave, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the law.