Forward-Deployed Software Engineer - Recidiviz

Recidiviz is hiring Forward-Deployed Software Engineers to join our team! We’re a small, fast-moving group that uses complex criminal justice data from our state partners to build products that target the drivers of incarceration. We’re looking for new teammates to be the technical bridge between our core engineering team and our state partners, scoping and deploying solutions into government environments on the front lines to help our products increase their impact across the country.

About Recidiviz

Recidiviz is creating safer, healthier communities by improving outcomes for people in the criminal justice system. We build technology to safely reduce the number of people in prison and to help criminal justice leaders embrace data-driven decision-making.

About the Role

As a Forward-Deployed Software Engineer, you will be directly on the front lines of our work, collaborating with state Departments of Corrections, government IT staff, and justice-impacted individuals to scope, adapt, and integrate Recidiviz’s data platform and products into their existing environments. You will partner with state leadership to understand their goals and constraints, define the right technical solutions, and then dive into complex, real-world data systems to make those solutions a reality.

You will also act as a crucial feedback loop. By gaining first-hand context of what works and what doesn't "in the wild," you will collaborate with our core product, design, and engineering teams to level up our platforms.

Core Responsibilities

• Scope for impact: Collaborate with state agency leadership and IT staff to translate their needs into clear technical approaches and deployment roadmaps.
• Problem-solve in the wild: Untangle messy data and legacy systems, writing scripts and crafting creative technical solutions to ensure successful deployments in unique customer environments.
• Level up the product: Translate on-the-ground challenges into actionable insights for our core engineering and product teams, contributing code to our platform and products.
• Build trust: Engage directly with customer stakeholders—from database administrators to agency executives—balancing technical rigor with empathy and clear communication.
• Travel occasionally: Join state partners on-site (10%) to scope new projects, build relationships, and unblock technical hurdles in person.

Minimum Qualifications

• High empathy and kindness
• 3+ years of practical experience building, customizing, and deploying software in a collaborative environment
• Experience scoping technical projects, defining product requirements, or translating business/policy needs into technical solutions
• Experience in a customer-facing and/or cross-functional role
• Strong proficiency in SQL and relational databases
• Experience writing code and scripts in Python, Javascript/Typescript, or similar languages
• High tolerance for ambiguity and the grit to explore, experiment, and document solutions in complex legacy environments
• Willingness to travel occasionally to partner states
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent experience

What We Offer

• 90% medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your dependents
• Flexible time off, including 20 days of PTO, 3 days of paid volunteering time, and 13 paid holidays
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% company match and no vesting period
• Complimentary One Medical membership (depending on location)
• Inclusive fertility, family-forming, and hormonal health benefits through Carrot
• Monthly ClassPass credit for personal wellness
• Free mental health support via Talkspace
• Well-located offices in Oakland and Manhattan, with the flexibility to work remotely or go into either office as you choose
• An annual company offsite and other ad-hoc gatherings