Software Engineer

About the role

About Chalk

Chalk is building the data platform that powers the future of machine learning applications. We tear down complexity, latency, and scale barriers that have traditionally constrained ML capabilities. Our platform combines Rust-speed performance with elegant tools that developers love to use. Leading companies depend on Chalk for everything from stopping fraudulent credit card swipes, verifying identities, and maximizing clean energy capture. We've recently raised a $50 million Series A https://www.reuters.com/business/databricks-competitor-chalk-raises-50-million-series-2025-05-28/, led by Felicis.

About the role

We are hiring Software Engineers to join our team. This is an opportunity to join us in-person as an early employee and make a large impact at a high growth start-up. You will tackle challenging engineering problems with a high degree of autonomy and ownership.

We are looking for a software engineer with a strong background in systems engineering. At Chalk we are solving problems drawn from the fields of DBMS query planning & optimization, compilers, and distributed analytical data processing systems.

Chalk uses dynamic and static analysis of Python programs in order to optimize arbitrary user Python code, infers and orchestrates infrastructure implied by the structure of that code, and tracks metadata about flow of data through these systems.

We're in the office 5 days a week. When unavoidable conflicts come up, we’re flexible. This is not a hybrid role.

What you will do

- Work directly with Chalk’s co-founders

- Write Python and Rust

- Design, implement, ship, and maintain significant components of our query planning and execution engine

- Iterate rapidly to improve Chalk’s platform in response to customer needs

What we’re looking for

- 4+ years experience of professional backend software engineering experience

- Strong working knowledge of computer science fundamentals. We’re not looking for experience from drilling leet code – we need folks who are comfortable building and maintaining real systems

- Comfort with leading development of new components of existing systems, and with taking ownership of existing software

- Track record of learning new concepts quickly

- Ability to work autonomously & to make pragmatic tradeoffs with an eye towards business outcomes

- Strong communication skills

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Bonus points

- Experience implementing data infrastructure

- Experience with distributed systems/compilers/query planners

- Experience with Rust

- Experience with developing PaaS-like software