Software Engineer - AI

Threekit is seeking an experienced Software Engineer fluent in cutting-edge AI technologies. You'll collaborate with our product team to prototype and productionize features built on LLMs, vector embeddings, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and related technologies-transforming bold concepts into reliable, scalable services.

This is a hybrid position coming into the Chicago-based office 2 days per week. Interested? Apply now!

Who We Are

You will be joining a fast-moving AI team, laser-focused on putting the best AI tools into our customers' hands. We help brands create experiences that wow customers.

Our rapidly growing client roster spans industries and continents- from savvy startups to Fortune 500 enterprises. We also partner with the "who's who" of eCommerce and CRM, including Salesforce, Adobe, SAP, Shopify, BigCommerce, Commerce tools, and many more.

Want to make sure you are betting on success? Our team has decades of experience building and scaling great software companies, including BigMachines (Acquired by Oracle), Steelbrick (Acquired by Salesforce), and G2. With over $65M in backing from top-tier VCs (Shasta Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, ServiceNow, CapGemini) and strong results, we are well on our way to building an amazing organization.

What We Value

At Threekit, our core values are summed up with the acronym GRIT:

• Getting Things Done: We're the drivers of Threekit's success.
• Revenue: Being revenue-focused allows us to be customer-focused.
• Innovation: We're risk takers.
• Team: We point the finger at the problem, not the person.

These principles guide our actions and decisions, shaping the way we work and interact with each other and our customers.

At Threekit, GRIT is more than just an acronym - it is the driving force behind our success and growth.

What You'll Do

• Design, build, and operate LLM-powered services-including vector search, prompt orchestration, and RAG pipelines
• Participate in, or lead design reviews with peers and stakeholders, to decide amongst available technologies.
• Benchmark and evaluate open-source and commercial LLMs for accuracy, latency, and cost; recommend the right model for each use case.
• Contribute to existing documentation or educational content and adapt content based on product/program updates and user feedback.
• Coach teammates on best practices for prompt engineering, embedding generation, and data curation.

What Catches Our Eye

• 5+ years as a Software Engineer with at least 2 years building production systems that use LLMs, NLP, or advanced ML
• Demonstrated ability to take green-field AI prototypes to production (ideation → MVP → scaled service)
• Excellent written and verbal communication

Preferred Skills

• Has delivered and supported a product in the market
• Background with startups
• Experience in a modern programming language such as Python, TypeScript, Rust, Go, Java, or similar
• Hands-on familiarity with vector databases and embedding pipelines
• Experience integrating commercial LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) and fine-tuning or hosting open-source models (e.g., Llama 3, Mistral)

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics, or similar

Preferred Education

• Master's Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics, or similar

Who You'll Report To

• This role will report directly to the Engineering Manager

What You Can Expect From Threekit

• A transparent recruitment process that includes an initial Cognitive Assessment, discussions with key stakeholders, and a live test. Looking to move quickly? So are we!
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• A 401K plan plus an employer match.
• Unlimited PTO policy as well as paid holidays so you can relax and recharge when needed.
• Long-term incentive (e.g., stock options).
• A hybrid work model that allows you to work in a manner that is best for you.
• In-office lunches and snacks.
• Home wifi stipend.
• Reimbursement of approved tuition and trainings.
• A positive culture that embraces employee input.

The successful candidate must reside within a reasonable daily commuting distance of our Chicago office and be present in the office two days a week.

• Threekit's salary ranges are determined based on market data for our industry and company size, and take into account work location, skills, experience, and education/certifications.