Software Engineer - New Grad

Chalk

San Francisco, CA

On-site

Who this role is best for

Systems engineering graduates with compiler or distributed systems experience will find this high-impact, in-office role at a fast-growing startup.

Best fit for

Recent graduates with systems engineering expertise and a passion for ML infrastructure
— “We are hiring Software Engineers to join our team. This is an opportunity to join us in-person as an early employee and make a large impact at a high growth start-up.”
Candidates with experience in compilers or query planners and a track record of learning quickly
— “Experience with distributed systems/compilers/query planners”
Individuals who are comfortable with building and maintaining real systems, not just coding challenges
— “Strong working knowledge of computer science fundamentals. We’re not looking for experience from drilling leet code – we need folks who are comfortable building and maintaining real systems”

Things to consider

In-office presence is mandatory, with no hybrid options available
— “We're in the office 5 days a week. When unavoidable conflicts come up, we’re flexible. This is not a hybrid role.”
The role demands ownership of existing software and development of new system components
— “Comfort with leading development of new components of existing systems, and with taking ownership of existing software”

How to stand out

Highlight your experience in systems engineering and real-world infrastructure projects
— “We are looking for a software engineer with a strong background in systems engineering.”
Emphasize your ability to work autonomously and make tradeoffs with business outcomes in mind
— “Ability to work autonomously & to make pragmatic tradeoffs with an eye towards business outcomes”
Showcase your work with Rust or C++ and your understanding of query planning and optimization
— “Write C++, Python and Rust”

Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

Designed and implemented significant components of the query planning and execution engine
Improved Chalk’s platform in response to customer needs

Typical background

Computer ScienceSystems EngineeringSoftware Development

Skills & requirements

Required

Systems EngineeringC++PythonRustQuery PlanningExecution EngineDistributed SystemsCompilersQuery PlannersData Infrastructure

Preferred

RustDistributed SystemsCompilersQuery PlannersPaas-like Software

Stack & domain

C++PythonRustDbms Query PlanningOptimizationCompilersDistributed Analytical Data Processing SystemsCommunicationMachine LearningData Platform

About the role

Original posting from Chalk via Ashby

About Chalk
Chalk is building the data platform that powers the future of machine learning applications. We tear down complexity, latency, and scale barriers that have traditionally constrained ML capabilities. Our platform combines Rust-speed performance with elegant tools that developers love to use. Leading companies depend on Chalk for everything from stopping fraudulent credit card swipes, verifying identities, and maximizing clean energy capture. We've recently raised a $50 million Series A https://www.reuters.com/business/databricks-competitor-chalk-raises-50-million-series-2025-05-28/, led by Felicis.
About the role
This position is scheduled to start in Spring 2027.
We are hiring Software Engineers to join our team. This is an opportunity to join us in-person as an early employee and make a large impact at a high growth start-up. You will tackle challenging engineering problems with a high degree of autonomy and ownership.
We are looking for a software engineer with a strong background in systems engineering. At Chalk we are solving problems drawn from the fields of DBMS query planning & optimization, compilers, and distributed analytical data processing systems.
Chalk uses dynamic and static analysis of Python programs in order to optimize arbitrary user Python code, infers and orchestrates infrastructure implied by the structure of that code, and tracks metadata about flow of data through these systems.
We're in the office 5 days a week. When unavoidable conflicts come up, we’re flexible. This is not a hybrid role.
What you will do
Work directly with Chalk’s co-founders
Write C++, Python and Rust
Design, implement, ship, and maintain significant components of our query planning and execution engine
Iterate rapidly to improve Chalk’s platform in response to customer needs
What we’re looking for
Graduation date in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 with a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (Computer Science, EECS)
Strong working knowledge of computer science fundamentals. We’re not looking for experience from drilling leet code – we need folks who are comfortable building and maintaining real systems
Comfort with leading development of new components of existing systems, and with taking ownership of existing software
Track record of learning new concepts quickly
Ability to work autonomously & to make pragmatic tradeoffs with an eye towards business outcomes
Strong communication skills
Bonus points
Experience implementing data infrastructure
Experience with distributed systems/compilers/query planners
Experience with Rust
Experience with developing PaaS-like software

Source: Chalk careers (Ashby)