Sr. Back End Software Engineer (AI)

About AIA Labs
AIA Labs is an in-house venture at Bridgewater Associates that is focused on using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to generate returns in markets. Its goal is to develop capabilities that enhance Bridgewater’s existing strategies as well as to manage a dedicated AI strategy for clients.  Bridgewater’s AIA Labs is combining a broad set of AI tools (de-optimized tabular data models, reasoning tools, and LLMs) using proprietary techniques developed in-house to build an AI-based Reasoning Engine capable of performing fundamental, systematic investment research.

About the Role

The Sr. Backend Software Engineer will be focused on the scalability, performance, and reliability of our products.  If successful, this person will allow AIA to run our workflows and applications faster and with more reliability.  The Sr. Backend Engineer will also focus on scalability for running 1,000s of simulations per day, delivering a subset of our capabilities as applications directly to clients.

You Will Drive the Following Responsibilities

• Optimize the speed and reliability of backend systems by designing and implementing fault-tolerant architectures.
• Build and maintain scalable, high-performance systems to meet a rapidly evolving, AI-driven environment.
• Build, deploy, and manage AWS infrastructure and services, ensuring systems are cost-effective, reliable, and secure.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the smooth integration of backend systems with frontend applications and third-party services.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4 years experience in a technically rigorous/elite environment with modern backend tech stacks and cloud infrastructure.
• Expertise in distributed systems, API driven backends, and a proficiency in designing systems that can scale horizontally and vertically to handle increasing loads.
• Deep proficiency in Python and similar backend languages.
• An in-depth knowledge of AWS services.
• Strong experience utilizing generative AI in your craft (Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Code, v0, or similar.), to incorporate additional AI techniques in your D2D work.

Location Requirements

The anticipated onsite requirement for this role is four days per week at our Manhattan New York City campus.

Compensation Band

The compensation range for this role is $500,000 to $800,000 inclusive of base salary, discretionary bonus, and long-term incentive. The expected base salary for this role is between 50-66% of the range.

Bridgewater Employee Benefits

One of our core priorities at Bridgewater is to enable our employees to build a great life and career, and we believe our benefits are an important extension of that philosophy. As such, currently Bridgewater offers a competitive suite of benefits including:

• Health insurance with 100% premium covered and access to additional concierge medical services
• 401(k) plan with generous employer match
• Paid time off, including fully paid parental leave and a competitive PTO package
• Workplace flexibility and access to back up chldcare
• Financial assistance for family building support, including adoption and egg freezing
• Workplace wellness, including on-site gyms, free meals and healthy snacks, and meditation rooms
• An engaged and active community that includes many company events, affinity networks, and extracurricular interest groups

Bridgewater reserves the right to change its current benefits program at any time, in a manner that is consistent with applicable federal and state regulations

About Bridgewater

Bridgewater Associates is a premier asset management firm, focused on delivering unique insight and partnership for the most sophisticated global institutional investors. Our investment process is driven by a tireless pursuit to understand how the world’s markets and economies work — using cutting edge technology to validate and execute on timeless and universal investment principles.

Founded in 1975, we are a community of independent thinkers who share a commitment for excellence. By fostering a culture of openness, transparency, and inclusion, we strive to unlock the most complex questions in investment strategy, management, and corporate culture.

Explore more information about Bridgewater on our website here.

Our Culture

Our culture is tied to our mission, which is to understand how the world’s markets and economies work, and to translate that into world-class investment performance. This requires an extraordinary team, defined by the best individuals and the best portfolio of people, operating in an idea meritocracy. In this, we are uncompromising on our shared values of excellence, truth, integrity, humility, and courage. Our aspiration of a vibrant idea meritocracy requires diversity of thought – this comes from diversity of background, identity, experience, and so much more. We pursue inclusion because it’s how we unlock the power of that diversity and make sure the best ideas get heard. To sustain this way of being through lots of years and lots of circumstances, we invest in meaningful work and meaningful relationships – the purpose and joy that comes from tackling something challenging and worthy, alongside people who make us better versions of ourselves.  

Explore more information about Bridgewater’s culture on our website here.

This job description is not a contract and confers no contractual rights, privileges, or benefits on any applicant or potential applicant. Bridgewater has the right to change any and all terms of this job description, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, qualifications and benefits. Nothing in this job description constitutes an offer or guarantee of employment. Please note that we provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Bridgewater Associates, LP is an Equal Opportunity Employer