My Expertify
# Senior Software / ML Engineer, Story Systems## Hidden DoorFull-time Remote New York, NY### Job DescriptionSummaryHidden Door is seeking an experienced software engineer to design, build, and maintain the core of their narrative AI platform. This role involves developing systems that create compelling stories using modular plot structures, classical and generative machine learning, and a decision-making story governor. The server architecture is primarily in Python, leveraging ML systems like spaCy, PyTorch, and Hugging Face. The ideal candidate will collaborate with design and product teams to implement solutions, focusing on thoughtful design, rapid iteration, and user-centric development.Mus#### Qualifications* Experience in software engineering* Practical machine learning experience* Applied NLP and text-based ML techniques* Delivering production software with product mindset* Excellent communication and attention to detail* Love of close team collaboration* Ability to prioritize speed vs. craft* Interest in storytelling and narrative structure* Experience with relational databases* Building client-server API architectures (Python, FastAPI, Pydantic)* Building and scaling backend services from scratch* Background in consumer-facing apps (mobile, web, social, game engine)* Passion for storytelling and games* We're looking for an experienced software engineer to help design, build, and maintain the core of our narrative AI platform* This system builds compelling stories using a combination of modular plot structures, classical and generative machine learning approaches, and a decision-making story governor* You have a sense of what makes for a great character arc, and collaborate closely with game design, narrative design, and product folks on goals and to identify possible approaches* You would synthesize that with your understanding of our existing story architecture to propose and implement a solution* Experience with software engineering and practical machine learning (especially applied NLP and other ML techniques for working with text—not just ChatGPT)* Examples of delivering production software with a product mindset* You think about the big picture, always center the user, and believe that technology is a means to an end* Excellent written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and a love of close collaboration with a team* An experienced sense of when to prioritize speed-of-making and when to slow down for craft of execution* Interest in and engagement with how we tell stories!* You might be an avid D&D player, reader, writer, fanfic author, text-based RPG player, anthropologist, or have coursework in narrative design* No matter how you come by it, thinking about story and its structure are critical to the success of this role* Experience with relational databases* Experience building client-server API architectures with Python (we use FastAPI and Pydantic)* Experience building backend services from 0 to 1 and scaling them gracefully* Background in consumer-facing mobile, web, social, or game engine apps* Passion for telling stories and playing games — even better if you've worked on a game of any type!* Ideal candidates would work a couple of days per week in our Brooklyn office; fully remote (with occasional travel) considered for exceptionally strong candidates* We value curiosity, creativity, and diverse perspectives* Successful teammates here tend to be kind, experienced folks who care deeply about craft but are also highly pragmatic* We strongly encourage candidates from under-represented or non-traditional backgrounds to apply*
Work with authors and artists* Phone screen(s) with the hiring manager and a cofounder* Short technical take-home on a small, realistic ticket (~2 hours)* You will add a small story-related feature to a pared-down codebase in Python* Three 45-minute discussions with the team on practical topics like engineering practices or collaboration#### Responsibilities* This role involves developing systems that create compelling stories using modular plot structures, classical and generative machine learning, and a decision-making story governor* The server architecture is primarily in Python, leveraging ML systems like spaCy, PyTorch, and Hugging Face* The ideal candidate will collaborate with design and product teams to implement solutions, focusing on thoughtful design, rapid iteration, and user-centric development* That might involve expanding the part of the plot system that handles NPC goals, rapidly testing a few different ML models for a specific task, and/or proposing a how this project could share design and code metaphors from existing the system that handles plot arcs* We aim to design thoughtfully, ship a minimum version ASAP, and iterate on that* As an early employee, you’ll play a role in shaping the company as well as the product* 1-hour pairing session to extend the work you did on the take-home#### Benefits* Perks* Unlimited vacation (required minimum: 1 week per quarter)* 100% medical, dental, and vision for employees, and family coverage* Reproductive and gender-affirming care benefit* $1,000 annual home office budget ($2,000 your first year)* Work with authors and artists* No NFTs or crypto*
The base salary range for this role is $135,000 - $165,000, plus competitive equity*
Unlimited vacation (required minimum: 1 week per quarter)*
100% medical, dental, and vision for employees, and family coverage*
Reproductive and gender-affirming care benefit*
$1,000 annual home office budget ($2,000 your first year)### BenefitsDENTAL COVERAGE
HEALTH INSURANCE
PAID TIME\_OFF**Publisher:** Outscal**Employment Type:** Full-time**Location:** New York, NY**City:****State:****Country:****Posted:****Remote:** YesGive your work a short, clear name — e.g., 'Fix payment gateway bug' or 'Design mobile homepage'.Clearly define the scope of work to avoid misunderstandings. Include details like deliverables, deadlines, and any specific requirements. This helps ensure both parties are aligned on expectations.Your amount stays safe in your wallet and is only released after your approval. If you are not satisfied with the freelancer's work, reject the contract and withdraw the full amount — 100% secure. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Work with authors and artists* Phone screen(s) with the hiring manager and a cofounder* Short technical take-home on a small, realistic ticket (~2 hours)* You will add a small story-related feature to a pared-down codebase in Python* Three 45-minute discussions with the team on practical topics like engineering practices or collaboration#### Responsibilities* This role involves developing systems that create compelling stories using modular plot structures, classical and generative machine learning, and a decision-making story governor* The server architecture is primarily in Python, leveraging ML systems like spaCy, PyTorch, and Hugging Face* The ideal candidate will collaborate with design and product teams to implement solutions, focusing on thoughtful design, rapid iteration, and user-centric development* That might involve expanding the part of the plot system that handles NPC goals, rapidly testing a few different ML models for a specific task, and/or proposing a how this project could share design and code metaphors from existing the system that handles plot arcs* We aim to design thoughtfully, ship a minimum version ASAP, and iterate on that* As an early employee, you’ll play a role in shaping the company as well as the product* 1-hour pairing session to extend the work you did on the take-home#### Benefits* Perks* Unlimited vacation (required minimum: 1 week per quarter)* 100% medical, dental, and vision for employees, and family coverage* Reproductive and gender-affirming care benefit* $1,000 annual home office budget ($2,000 your first year)* Work with authors and artists* No NFTs or crypto*
The base salary range for this role is $135,000 - $165,000, plus competitive equity*
Unlimited vacation (required minimum: 1 week per quarter)*
100% medical, dental, and vision for employees, and family coverage*
Reproductive and gender-affirming care benefit*
$1,000 annual home office budget ($2,000 your first year)### BenefitsDENTAL COVERAGE
HEALTH INSURANCE
PAID TIME\_OFF**Publisher:** Outscal**Employment Type:** Full-time**Location:** New York, NY**City:****State:****Country:****Posted:****Remote:** YesGive your work a short, clear name — e.g., 'Fix payment gateway bug' or 'Design mobile homepage'.Clearly define the scope of work to avoid misunderstandings. Include details like deliverables, deadlines, and any specific requirements. This helps ensure both parties are aligned on expectations.Your amount stays safe in your wallet and is only released after your approval. If you are not satisfied with the freelancer's work, reject the contract and withdraw the full amount — 100% secure. #J-18808-Ljbffr