Application Software Engineer

Siftstack

San Francisco, CA

On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to early-career engineers with a knack for customer collaboration working in aerospace, autonomous systems, or advanced engineering applications.

Best fit for

Early-career engineers with a passion for aerospace or autonomous systems and strong customer collaboration skills
— “passion for aerospace, autonomous systems, or advanced engineering applications.”
Candidates who enjoy translating customer needs into technical solutions and working in dynamic environments
— “thrive in dynamic, customer-facing environments”
Individuals with a background in data engineering or software engineering and a willingness to learn new technologies
— “Eagerness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced startup environment.”

Things to consider

Requires 10-15% travel, with in-person work four days a week in either San Francisco or Los Angeles.
— “collaborate in person four times a week—Monday through Thursday”
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder due to regulatory compliance.
— “Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder due to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) / EAR (Export Administration Regulations) compliance requirements.”

How to stand out

Highlight experience with Python and REST APIs in your resume and interview responses.
— “Proficiency in Python and familiarity with REST APIs.”
Showcase projects involving data analysis, visualization, or integration with engineering tools.
— “Create and maintain integrations with common engineering tools to enhance customer workflows.”
Emphasize your ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
— “Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.”
Demonstrate knowledge of data streaming or time-series databases if applicable.
— “Data streaming technologies or time-series databases (e.g., Kafka, InfluxDB).”
Include examples of adapting software to solve complex, real-world engineering problems.
— “bridge the gap between Sift’s cutting-edge telemetry platform and our customers’ complex engineering challenges.”

Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Junior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

adapting Sift’s platform to meet customer needs
developing custom solutions and integrations
translating customer requirements into actionable insights

Typical background

2+ years of experience in software engineering or data engineeringproficiency in Python and familiarity with REST APIs

Skills & requirements

Required

Software EngineeringData EngineeringCustomer-facing SolutionsCustom Solutions And IntegrationsCustomer Requirements TranslationIntegration With Common Engineering ToolsTechnical Onboarding And Training

Preferred

Aerospace SystemsSatellite OperationsAutonomous Vehicle DevelopmentData Streaming TechnologiesTime-series DatabasesCloud PlatformsSoftware Integration ChallengesMachine Learning Or AI Applications In Engineering

Stack & domain

PythonREST ApisAerospaceAutonomous SystemsRenewable Energy

About the role

Original posting from Siftstack via Ashby

ABOUT SIFT
Sift is the data infrastructure platform for hardware engineering teams. Sift turns high-frequency telemetry into engineering insights for mission-critical systems. Teams use Sift to build and operate rockets, satellites, autonomous vehicles, energy systems, defense platforms, and more.
Founded by former SpaceX engineers who built the tools behind Dragon and Starlink, Sift is building the data infrastructure to herald the AI era for physical systems.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Application Software Engineers bridge the gap between Sift’s cutting-edge telemetry platform and our customers’ complex engineering challenges. In this role, you’ll work directly with customer teams to adapt Sift’s capabilities to their needs, build custom solutions, and foster deep partnerships. You’ll collaborate with product and engineering teams to translate customer requirements into actionable insights, ensuring our platform evolves to meet real-world demands.
We’re looking for an engineer who thrives in dynamic, customer-facing environments and is passionate about industries like aerospace, autonomous systems, and renewable energy. This is a rare opportunity to join an early-stage startup and directly impact the success of next-generation machines. You will report to the team's Lead and play a critical role in delivering value to our customers.
IN THIS ROLE, YOU’LL
Partner with customers to understand their technical challenges and adapt Sift’s platform to meet their specific needs.
Develop custom solutions and integrations using Sift APIs to solve customer problems.
Translate customer requirements into actionable feedback for product and engineering teams.
Create and maintain integrations with common engineering tools to enhance customer workflows.
Prepare materials and assist in technical onboarding and training sessions for customer teams.
Build strong, trust-based relationships with customers, acting as a technical partner and advocate.
THE SKILLSET YOU’LL BRING
2+ years of experience in software engineering or data engineering.
Proficiency in Python and familiarity with REST APIs.
Basic understanding of data analysis and visualization techniques.
Strong problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Passion for aerospace, autonomous systems, or advanced engineering applications.
Eagerness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced startup environment.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, math, physics, or a STEM discipline.
BONUS POINTS
Experience in any of the following:
Aerospace systems, satellite operations, or autonomous vehicle development.
Data streaming technologies or time-series databases (e.g., Kafka, InfluxDB).
SQL and database concepts.
Cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure).
Software integration challenges in complex systems.
Machine learning or AI applications in engineering.
Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and apply new technologies.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Someone with a customer-first mindset who’s excited to solve real-world engineering problems in the field.
An engineer who thrives in ambiguity and can adapt quickly to evolving customer needs.
A collaborative team player who can work effectively with customers, engineers, and go-to-market teams to drive impact.
LOCATION & TRAVEL
This role is located in San Francisco, CA. We collaborate in person four times a week—Monday through Thursday—and come together for a full week every quarter at our HQ in LA. We are open to relocating candidates to LA or our San Francisco office.
Ability to travel 10-15% required. Varies by location and customer needs.
Sift headquarters is located in Los Angeles (Marina del Rey), and we work in a hybrid environment. We work closely with hardware companies building everything from autonomous vehicles to spacecraft, and it's essential to be nearby for site visits and collaboration.
Salary range: $125,000 - $175,000 per year. Plus equity and benefits.
ELIGIBILITY
US Person Required: Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder due to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) / EAR (Export Administration Regulations) compliance requirements.

Source: Siftstack careers (Ashby)