Start-up Ventures: Senior Software Engineer at Wisable

Wisable, a tech-enabled business brokerage that spun out from D. E. Shaw’s venture studio, seeks a senior software engineer to help design and build its core internal technology platform. This role will play a critical part in developing scalable, high-performance systems and AI-powered workflows that support deal execution and business operations. This is a hands-on role in an early-stage environment that will own meaningful technical problems end-to-end. This position is with Wisable, not the D. E. Shaw group. As a portfolio company of the D. E. Shaw group’s venture studio, DESCOvery, Wisable benefits from the firm’s industry expertise and network. Please note that Wisable will be reviewing all applications and making hiring decisions independently of the D. E. Shaw group. Responsibilities: You’ll design, build, and maintain the core systems that power Wisable’s internal platform, with an emphasis on reliability, scalability, and automation. Key responsibilities: Develop and maintain high-quality, performant backend applications primarily in Python, with ReactJS used as needed for data-driven interfaces. Design and evolve system architecture, including database schemas, service boundaries, and data flows across internal systems and external integrations. Own PostgreSQL-based data models, including schema design, migrations, performance optimization, and data integrity for complex workflows. Build and maintain integrations across core infrastructure components such as CRMs, document systems, cloud services, and internal tools. Develop and maintain AI-powered systems, including RAG pipelines that integrate structured and unstructured business data into production workflows. Improve the reliability, observability, and robustness of both AI-driven and non-AI systems as the platform scales. Design and implement automation and RPA-style workflows to reduce manual effort and improve operational efficiency. Optimize application performance, system latency, APIs, and overall availability. Apply best practices for security, with particular focus on handling sensitive financial and business data. Participate in code reviews, testing, and continuous integration to maintain a high standard of code quality. Collaborate closely with non-technical leadership to gather requirements, explain technical tradeoffs, and support business decision-making. Who We're Looking For: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Five or more years of professional experience building and operating production systems. Solid proficiency in Python, with familiarity in ReactJS a plus. Experience designing and operating distributed SaaS systems in modern cloud environments, and solid experience with PostgreSQL and relational data modeling. Ability to work with complex data structures and multi-step workflows, with a grounding in object-oriented design, SOLID principles, and common design patterns. Intermediate experience in Generative AI or AI engineering, including RAG pipelines; experience with LangChain or LangFlow is a plus. Demonstrated success improving system reliability, performance, and maintainability over time, and familiarity with workflow automation and background processing systems. Solid understanding of security best practices, particularly around sensitive financial data. Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a small, autonomous, and fast-moving team. Flexibility and curiosity when adapting to new tools, frameworks, and data techniques and comfort operating in an entrepreneurial, early-stage environment where priorities evolve quickly. The expected annual base salary for this position is $170,000 to $230,000. There will be variable compensation in the form of a year-end bonus.