Staff AI Developer

The Opportunity Lumen Dynamics is looking for a Staff AI Developer to help define and drive the technical direction of our grant research platform. This is a hands-on, individual contributor role where you’ll shape architecture, build critical systems, and push the boundaries of AI-enabled software development. You’ll work across two complementary systems: A multi-tenant, cloud-native SaaS application built with Ruby on Rails (7+) A Python-based data and discovery platform powered by FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Redis, and AI-driven ingestion workflows If you’re an AI-forward engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, working deeply in the code, and influencing system design at scale—this role is for you. What You’ll Do Partner with Product to translate roadmap priorities into technical designs, implementation plans, and delivery strategies Design and implement features across application, data, and infrastructure layers Own and evolve core platform architecture across both Rails and Python systems Make high-impact architectural decisions (service boundaries, modularization, data access patterns, scalability) Build and optimize high-scale background processing systems (notifications, scoring, ingestion, exports, etc.) Develop workflows spanning APIs, background jobs, ingestion pipelines, search/discovery, and reporting Investigate production issues, identify root causes, and improve platform reliability Implement AI-powered features including LLM orchestration, prompt workflows, and observability controls Leverage AI-assisted development tools for coding, testing, refactoring, and documentation Document architectural decisions and system behavior for long-term maintainability Collaborate with Engineering, Product, Customer Success, and Support teams to continuously improve the platform What You Bring Proven experience as a Senior or Staff-level engineer building production SaaS or data platforms Deep expertise in Ruby on Rails, including performance, architecture, and long-lived systems Strong hands-on experience with Python (FastAPI or similar frameworks preferred) Experience across both application platforms and data systems (APIs, ingestion, pipelines, reporting) Strong background in background processing systems (e.g., Sidekiq, Redis, queues, schedulers) Solid understanding of PostgreSQL schema design and performance optimization Experience designing and operating production APIs (REST, auth, versioning, validation) Comfort working in cloud-native, containerized environments Experience with search and discovery systems (full-text, semantic, vector search) A demonstrated AI-first development approach, using LLMs and automation tools Strong understanding of security best practices (auth, data isolation, secrets management) Experience with CI/CD pipelines, testing frameworks, and code quality tooling Excellent communication skills, especially around technical decision-making Nice to Have Experience with enterprise or government-adjacent applications (compliance, auditability, security) Familiarity with modern Rails frontend patterns (Hotwire, Turbo, Stimulus, Tailwind, ViewComponent) Experience with async Python, Redis Streams, or workflow orchestration systems Hands-on experience with LLM tools (OpenAI, Anthropic), embeddings, or vector databases Experience with observability tools (Sentry, New Relic, Honeybadger, etc.) Location: This position will be remote with preference given to EST time zone Compensation Range: $165,000 - $200,000 We believe in openness, so we publish our range from the start. Where an offer will land depends on your background, strengths, and how you’ll contribute to the work ahead. This role fills an existing vacancy. Euna uses AI responsibly to assist in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants. AI helps us work smarter, but people lead the process. AI Mindset at Lumen Dynamics We believe the future of work is human + AI. At Lumen Dynamics , we encourage our team members to leverage AI tools to enhance creativity, efficiency, and decision-making. We’re looking for people who are curious about emerging technologies, eager to experiment, and committed to using AI responsibly to augment—not replace—their expertise. If you enjoy exploring new ways to solve problems, learning continuously, and applying AI to make your work smarter and more impactful, you’ll thrive here. What It's Like to Work at Lumen Dynamics At Lumen Dynamics , we carefully foster a work environment where employees have a safe space for creative and intellectual freedom, and the opportunity to work cross-functionally. We offer a dynamic environment with considerable opportunities for professional growth and advancement. Here are some of the perks that Euna employees enjoy: 💵 Competitive wages We pay competitive wages and salaries, and we only expect an honest 40-hour week for it. 🧘‍♀️ Wellness days What’s better than a long weekend? An extra-long weekend! Twice a year, Euna employees enjoy an extra day on top of th