Senior Software Engineer (Backend) - Materia AI

Senior Backend Engineer, Materia AI

Are you excited about building AI-driven software that redefines how professionals work? Join a dynamic and highly skilled team at Thomson Reuters, where we combine the agility and innovation of a startup with the stability and resources of a global leader. As a Senior Backend Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in developing AI-powered systems that enhance accounting workflows through automation, intelligence, and seamless orchestration.

About the Role:
In this role as a Senior Backend Engineer, you will:

Innovate in a Startup-Like Environment

Be part of a fast-moving, forward-thinking group that is creating AI-driven software for accounting professionals. You’ll work with top AI and software development experts, leveraging cutting-edge technology to build intelligent and scalable systems. This role is for the CoCounsel for Accounting team, formed from the recent acquisition of the startup Materia.

Build AI-Driven Systems

Be part of a fast-moving, forward-thinking group that is creating AI-driven software for accounting professionals. You’ll work with top AI and software development experts, leveraging cutting-edge technology to build intelligent and scalable systems. This role is for the CoCounsel for Accounting team, formed from the recent acquisition of the startup Materia.

Collaborate Across Functions

Work closely with AI/ML engineers, frontend developers, product managers, and designers to build robust services that support generative AI experiences. Help to build out our core AI interfaces such as Conversations, Workspaces, Grid, and Knowledge Base.

Key Responsibilities:

Backend Development & AI Integration

• Develop and maintain backend services using Python, FastAPI, and PostgreSQL.
• Implement AI orchestration systems integrating LLMs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and other providers.
• Design APIs and backend logic for real-time AI interactions.
• Help to design our AI Platform to automate many different AI driven tasks across the accounting domain

Performance & Scalability

• Ensure backend systems are secure, scalable, and optimized for AI-driven applications.
• Monitor and enhance system performance, across millions of documents and AI driven interactions

Collaboration & Leadership

• Work closely with AI researchers, engineers, and product teams to translate AI capabilities into real-world applications.
• Foster a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement, exploring new AI technologies and methodologies.

About You:
You are a fit for the position of Senior Backend Engineer if your background includes:

Required Experience & Skills:

• Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Related Field, or Equivalent Experience 4+ years of experience in backend development, building scalable web services and APIs.
• Strong Python skills, with experience in FastAPI, PostgreSQL, and AWS.
• Experience in API and data model design.
• Strong debugging skills and a track record of building production-grade software.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
• Passion for AI-driven software and new engineering paradigms.
• A creative problem solver who enjoys exploring new technologies.
• Dedicated to building high-quality, reliable AI-first systems.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience with AI-driven systems, agent-based architectures, or AI APIs from providers like OpenAI and Anthropic.
• Knowledge of vector databases, embeddings, or search-based AI.
• Strong opinions on backend testing strategies and automation.

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What’s in it For You?

• Hybrid Work Model: We’ve adopted a flexible hybrid working environment (2-3 days a week in the office depending on the role) for our office-based roles while delivering a seamless experience that is digitally and physically connected.

• Flexibility & Work-Life Balance: Flex My Way is a set of supportive workplace policies designed to help manage personal and professional responsibilities, whether caring for family, giving back to the community, or finding time to refresh and reset. This builds upon our flexible work arrangements, including work from anywhere for up to 8 weeks per ye