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Staff Engineer, Data Platform

Lila Sciences· Software
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Hybrid (Cambridge, MA; San Francisco, CA)$192k - $288kfull-timePosted 4mo ago

About the role

Staff Engineer to set the technical direction for core data infrastructure, including ingestion, storage, orchestration, and data interfaces for scientists and ML researchers at Lila Sciences.

Responsibilities

  • Data Platform Architecture: Design and evolve the core data infrastructure that ingests, stores, and serves data across scientific and ML workflows. Make principled build-vs-buy decisions and establish architectural patterns adopted by the broader engineering organization.
  • Ingestion and Integration: Build reliable pipelines that bring in data from diverse sources: laboratory instruments, public scientific datasets, and external research literature. Own the interfaces between upstream producers and downstream consumers.
  • Orchestration and Reliability: Operate and extend workflow orchestration systems that run complex, multi-step scientific pipelines. Ensure observability, fault tolerance, and reproducibility across the data stack.
  • Data Modeling and Schema Strategy: Define and maintain data models, schema evolution practices, and data contracts that ensure consistency, discoverability, and long-term durability of scientific and platform data assets.
  • Cross-Functional Technical Leadership: Partner with ML researchers, lab scientists, and product engineers to translate scientific and research requirements into platform capabilities. Drive alignment on data standards and integration patterns across teams.
  • Engineering Standards and Mentorship: Establish coding, review, and design standards for the data platform team. Mentor engineers, lead design reviews, and raise the technical bar across the group.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, and 8+ years as a software or data engineer with a focus on building and operating data infrastructure.
  • Designed and shipped data platform components from the ground up, including ingestion frameworks, storage abstractions, and orchestration systems. Fluent in Python and SQL and writes production-quality code.
  • Production experience with relational and NoSQL databases, schema design, query optimization, and operational concerns at scale. Comfortable working across structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.
  • Proven track record of working cross-functionally with scientists, ML researchers, and engineers. Able to translate domain requirements into platform decisions and explain technical trade-offs to diverse audiences.
  • Experience with cloud infrastructure and containerized deployment (AWS, Kubernetes).
  • Hands-on experience with modern table formats and open lakehouse patterns (Iceberg, Delta Lake, Hudi).

Skills

Required:Data platform designPythonSQLDatabases (SQL/NoSQL)Cloud infrastructure (AWS)Containerization (Kubernetes)Data modeling & schema evolutionCross-functional collaborationMentorship
Nice to have:Orchestration systems

Benefits

  • Compensation is competitive with base salary, bonus potential, and generous early-stage equity.
  • U.S. Benefits: comprehensive medical, dental, and vision; employer-paid life and disability; flexible time off with holidays; paid parental leave; educational assistance; commuter benefits; lunch program.
  • International Benefits: regionally tailored programs; USD salaries apply to U.S. positions; international salaries set to local market.
Last updated Oct 21, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Lila Sciences

Pioneering Scientific Superintelligence

Pioneering Scientific Superintelligence to solve humankind’s greatest challenges.

Scientific SuperintelligenceAIAutonomous LabsLife SciencesChemical SciencesMaterials Sciences
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