Lead Full-Stack Engineer (AI)

As a Lead Full-Stack Engineer (AI) at AlphaSense, your primary responsibilities will include architecting, designing, and implementing scalable services for our AI and search products. You will work on both frontend and backend components, improve the reliability and efficiency of our services, and deploy them in cloud environments. Additionally, you'll collaborate closely with product management to translate requirements into actionable software architectures.

To qualify for the Lead Full-Stack Engineer (AI) role at AlphaSense, candidates should possess at least 5 years of hands-on experience with JavaScript (TypeScript) and GraphQL, as well as proficiency in Python. Experience with cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, or Azure, alongside strong software engineering skills in complex applications, is crucial. Leadership experience in full-stack environments is also preferred.

Candidates for the Lead Full-Stack Engineer (AI) position at AlphaSense should be well-versed in modern development practices, including CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks. Familiarity with containers such as Kubernetes and Docker, as well as experience in deploying AI services to cloud environments, particularly single-tenant setups, is essential for this role.

At AlphaSense, you’ll find a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values diverse experiences and perspectives. Our product and engineering teams thrive on innovation, and we are dedicated to supporting professional growth while using cutting-edge technology to shape the future of AI and search.

The base compensation for the Lead Full-Stack Engineer (AI) role at AlphaSense ranges from $175,000 to $230,000, depending on experience and location. Additionally, employees may receive performance-based bonuses, equity, and a comprehensive benefits program, all designed to reward your contributions to the team.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you've utilized JavaScript and TypeScript. Discuss how you've implemented features, overcome challenges, and improved application performance. Make sure to mention any frameworks or libraries you've used, such as React or Node.js, and how they contributed to your development process.

To answer this question, outline the steps you’d take, such as defining service requirements, choosing the appropriate cloud platform, and leveraging containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes. Emphasize the importance of monitoring performance and cost efficiency and your experience in scaling applications effectively.

Discuss specific challenges you have encountered, like high latency or handling variances in response quality. Highlight your problem-solving skills and what strategies you've employed to mitigate these issues, such as optimizing algorithms or introducing caching mechanisms.

When answering, detail your familiarity with deployment processes in both SaaS and single-tenant environments. This might include discussing the tools you've used (like Terraform or Ansible), the deployment pipelines you’ve built, and how you've addressed challenges specific to each environment.

Share your best practices for maintaining code quality, such as implementing automated tests, adhering to code reviews, and using CI/CD practices. Mention tools and frameworks you've used for testing, like Jest for JavaScript or pytest for Python. Also, explain how these practices help in maintaining a robust application.

Discuss your experience with GraphQL in the context of specific projects or applications. Explain how using GraphQL has benefited you, such as improving data fetching efficiency, reducing over-fetching, and making APIs easier to work with. Give examples of particular use cases where GraphQL surpassed REST.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer. Briefly describe the project, the challenges faced, how you motivated your team, and the successful outcome. Emphasize your leadership and communication skills, showcasing your ability to guide a team through complex scenarios.

To answer this question, mention the resources you use, such as industry blogs, podcasts, webinars, and professional communities. Highlight any conferences, workshops, or courses you’ve participated in to deepen your knowledge, showing your commitment to continuous learning.

Share your systematic approach to debugging, such as isolating issues, inspecting logs, and recreating bugs in development environments. Discuss tools you use, like debuggers or performance monitoring tools, and emphasize your analytical skills and how you maintain calm under pressure.

In your answer, discuss the importance of communication, collaboration, and trust within a team. Highlight how diversity can enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities. Mention practices such as regular check-ins, open feedback loops, and fostering a supportive atmosphere that contributes to a team's success.