Software Engineer - AI-Assisted Development & Technical Operations

About Sphere

$45 trillion of retirement savings in the U.S. alone are forced to invest in fossil fuels, even though they've had the worst returns of any sector of the economy for the past two decades. While 81% of people are worried about climate change and want to do something about it, they're also required to vote their shares against common-sense climate improvements at the biggest companies in the economy, even though voting in favor of those shareholder proposals could set up companies for long-term success in a rapidly changing world. The 401(k) industry has been shaped by lawsuits over the past two decades, preventing expensive, actively-managed climate funds from making it onto 401(k) plans. Sphere makes it easy to add climate-friendly options to plans by offering funds that are designed to compare favorably to non-climate-friendly index funds on a purely financial basis. The company has spent the past four years getting on all major 401(k) platforms including Schwab, Vanguard, & Fidelity. Now we are seeking a part-time Software Engineer - AI-Assisted Development & Technical Operations to support backend engineering, AI-assisted development, integrations, and technical operations as we scale our products, expand our infrastructure with a security-first approach, and continue serving our expanding customer base and partners.

Role Summary

As Software Engineer - AI Development & Technical Operations, you will contribute directly to software development, API design, backend architecture, and technical and security operations. You will leverage modern AI-assisted development tools to build scalable systems, streamline data pipelines, manage cloud infrastructure, and maintain rigorous testing and security standards. You will work closely with the Head of Engineering & Security and cross-functional teammates to deliver robust digital experiences, implement cloud best practices, and accelerate software delivery using cutting-edge AI engineering workflows.

Key Responsibilities

Software & Application Development

• Design, build, and maintain performant backend services, RESTful APIs, and database structures

• Develop responsive web applications and cross-platform components aligned with design guidelines

• Refactor existing codebases to improve code quality, maintainability, performance, and scalability

• Integrate third-party platforms, financial data feeds, and client management systems

AI-Assisted Development

• Utilize modern AI developer tools (Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, custom MCPs/plugins) to accelerate feature delivery and automated testing.

• Use OpenAI Codex as a core development tool for building applications, coding, debugging, testing, refactoring, and automating development tasks.

• Leverage Claude Code alongside Codex to support software development, technical problem-solving, and collaboration with other engineering teams.

• Use AI coding agents to accelerate backend and frontend development, API integrations, and application enhancements.

• Independently review, test, and validate AI-generated code to ensure security, accuracy, reliability, and maintainability.

• Help establish and improve AI-assisted engineering workflows, coding standards, documentation, and development best practices.

Cloud Infrastructure & DevOps

• Develop, deploy, and maintain applications within AWS, including App Runner, Aurora PostgreSQL, ECR, S3, Cognito, and related services.

• Manage Docker environments, GitHub repositories, and CI/CD workflows using GitHub Actions.

• Support cloud configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and production deployments.

• Work with Supabase and Vercel for development and deployment when appropriate.

Testing, Security & Technical Operations

• Perform independent code reviews, automated testing, integration testing, and production readiness validation.

• Apply secure coding practices, access controls, and cloud security principles.

• Support AWS administration, identity management, vulnerability remediation, and security monitoring.

• Provide secondary technical coverage for critical systems, including troubleshooting, incident response, and service recovery.

• Assist with Google Workspace administration and internal technology systems as needed.

• Maintain technical documentation and collaborate with external developers and technology vendors.

Qualifications

Experience

• 3+ years of professional software engineering experience with strong focus on backend systems, API development, and data integrations

• Hands-on experience leveraging AI development tools (e.g., Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot) in daily workflows

• Proficiency in modern tech stacks such as Node.js, Python, FastAPI, REST APIs, PostgreSQL, and SQL.

• Experience with database design, SQLAlchemy or similar ORM frameworks, and data integrations.

• Experience with AWS, Docker, GitHub, CI/CD and OpenAI Codex is required. Candidates must be proficient in using Codex throughout the development lifecycle.

• Experience with automated testing, debugging, code reviews, and security fundamentals

Skills & Attributes

• Mission-aligned and excited to build technology that accelerates climate-positive investing

• Strong technical engineer capable of balancing strategic thinking with the ability to work independently across multiple projects

• Deep understanding of modern software architecture, cloud infrastructure, APIs, and distributed systems

• Strong knowledge of application security, cloud security, identity management, and secure software development practices

• Excellent cross-functional communicator who builds trust across engineering, product, design, operations, and leadership

• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, collaborative startup environment with a bias toward action and ownership

Education & Licenses

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

• Security certifications are a plus

• Experience in finance and fintech, in particular transaction processing or data reconciliation, are a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

This position offers an opportunity to play a core role in building technologies that enable climate-positive investing. You will work alongside a collaborative, high-performing team in a mission-driven environment. Compensation for this part-time contract role is $85-95 / hour and commensurate with experience. Sphere provides a flexible, remote-first work setup and a collaborative environment focused on impact and continuous learning.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Sphere, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our team believes that diversity, equity and inclusion are critical to the success of any team or company. In addition to federal law requirements, Sphere complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location.

Part-time, remote position with flexible working hours.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter explaining why you might be a great fit for Sphere and this role to careers@oursphere.org. Applications without this information will not be considered. Please make sure the subject line states: "Software Engineer - AI Development & Technical Operations Application: [Your Name]".