The RoleWe're hiring a Software Engineer to build the core infrastructure behind underwriting, pricing, and policy workflows. This is high-leverage work. The systems you build will directly impact revenue, loss ratios, and how we scale.
You'll work closely with engineers, actuaries, and underwriters to turn messy real-world logic into clean, durable systems. A lot of what we do starts in Excel and ends in production code. We care deeply about correctness, clarity, and speed.
This is an ownership-heavy role. You'll be expected to reason from first principles, ship quickly, and improve things that feel broken.
What You'll Do- Build and own backend systems that power pricing models, underwriting workflows, and policy lifecycle infrastructure
- Translate complex actuarial and underwriting logic into maintainable, production-grade services
- Improve the performance and reliability of our core rating and decision systems
- Contribute to architectural decisions that set the foundation for how we scale
- Work directly with domain experts to define the right abstractions, not just implement tickets
- Hold a high bar for code quality, simplicity, and long-term maintainability
What We're Looking For- 4+ years of professional software engineering experience
- Strong backend experience in TypeScript, Python, or similar
- Experience designing APIs and working with data-heavy systems
- Comfort operating in ambiguous, high-responsibility environments
- A bias toward ownership and shipping
- Good judgment - knowing when to move fast and when to slow down
Our Tech StackFrontend
- React & Next.js
- Typescript
- GraphQL w/ Apollo
Backend
- Node.js
- Postgres & Redis
- Typescript
- GraphQL APIs
You'll Likely Thrive Here If- You like building foundational systems, not surface-level features
- You enjoy working at the intersection of business logic and engineering
- You want your work to directly impact company outcomes
- You prefer small teams, high standards, and real accountability
- You care about building something durable
Why JoinWe're still early. The decisions we make now will shape the company for years. If you want to build core infrastructure, work closely with domain experts, and help modernize a massive industry, this is a rare opportunity to do it at the right stage.
How we workShepherd runs on four values. Here's what each one means in this seat.
- Think big, build big. We exist to protect progress and the industries that rely on it. The work here is aimed at a system that runs on its own, and the roadmap gets sequenced backward from that rather than forward from what's easy.
- Win together. We rise as one. We support each other, raise the bar, and celebrate collective success. As the first PM you set a standard the rest of the team inherits, and the milestones belong to the team rather than to product.
- Cross the aisle. Collaboration wins. We listen deeply, work across boundaries, and prioritize shared success over individual lanes. The best product calls here come from engineers who've sat with underwriters and underwriters who understand where the model breaks, and much of this job is listening closely enough on both sides to make that happen.
- Go get it. We act with urgency, move with confidence, take smart risks, and push forward with intention. Nobody hands you the roadmap, the data, or the meeting invite. You pull the failing runs, book the time with the underwriters, and decide what matters.
Benefits Premium Healthcare100% contribution to top-tier health, dental, and vision
🥕
Fertility benefits and family building support Unlimited PTOFlexibility to take the time off, recharge, and perform
🥗 Daily lunches, dinners, and snacksWe work together, and enjoy meals together too
SF, NYC, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and LA Offices Professional DevelopmentAccess to premium coaching, including leadership development
Competitive401(k) Plan Dog-friendly officePlenty of dogs to play with and make friends with in the SF office
