Software Engineer, The Stacks
Job description
About the role
The role shapes a public content platform that organizes and delivers scientific and technical work. You build and scale systems as the product identity evolves, bringing strong architectural judgment to user-centered tools.
Software engineers turn product ideas into working code. Engineers work in small teams, review each other's work, and ship in small batches. Most teams follow agile practices such as sprints and daily standups. Engineers also write tests, fix bugs, and improve performance. The field values clear communication as much as technical skill. Engineers spend part of every week on planning, code review, and debugging, not just writing new code. The ability to explain a technical decision in plain words separates strong engineers from the rest.
Key facts
What you'll do
User-facing interfaces and experiences are implemented with modern web technologies to serve scientific and technical audiences.
Content-management APIs and services are built to enable structured access and reuse of knowledge assets.
Features are developed with team members and iterated quickly based on feedback to align product direction with user needs.
Cloud infrastructure is managed to ensure high availability, observability, and smooth development workflows for content platforms.
Open-source components of The Stacks are contributed to when appropriate to support broader knowledge infrastructure.
Work across Astera's internal programs and external partners is coordinated to align The Stacks with connected initiatives.
Requirements
A Bachelor's in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent experience is required for this role.
2-3+ years of experience building and maintaining software systems is necessary for this position.
Interest in content-heavy or knowledge-based platforms, including publishing systems, large documentation or archival sites, and user-generated content, is required.
Strong engineering fundamentals and problem-solving skills are essential for success in this role.
Experience with modern backend and frontend technologies such as TypeScript, React, Node.js, Express.js/Hono, SQL databases, Prisma/Drizzle, and related tools is required.
The ability to move quickly in environments with evolving requirements, ambiguity, and rapid iteration cycles is mandatory.
High adaptability and comfort working across disciplines are required to navigate cross-team collaboration.
Practical notes
You will work on site at the Emeryville, CA office, with some travel for in-person collaboration as needed.
Benefits are summarized separately and do not define specific entitlements or conditions.
Typical interview steps
Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.
Good to know
The role centers on content platforms that organize and deliver knowledge through software.
Modern web stacks such as TypeScript, React, and Node.js are commonly used in this field.
Generalist engineers who can shift context across backend, frontend, and infrastructure are typical in this type of role.
Open-source collaboration often appears in positions that build public digital infrastructure.
Teams move quickly when product identity is still evolving, requiring comfort with ambiguity.
Career growth
Engineering careers usually progress from individual contributor to senior, staff, and principal levels. Some engineers move into management and lead teams of five to twenty people. Others stay on the technical track. Growth follows demonstrated impact, not tenure alone. A typical engineering ladder has clear levels with defined expectations for scope, quality, and mentorship. Moving up usually requires owning outcomes end to end rather than completing assigned tickets.
About the company
Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future for all. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation.