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Software Engineer

CognitionSan FranciscoResearch & Development
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Salary
$260K - $300K USD
Job type
Full-time
Posted
6 Aug 2026
Status
Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Cognition is seeking a Software Engineer in San Francisco to join its Research & Development team and build advanced applied AI systems. This full-time position suits experienced systems builders who want to work on frontier artificial intelligence products used by millions of developers.

Role Overview

Software Engineers at Cognition tackle complex open-ended problems in applied AI rather than just building standard features. The mission focuses on creating intelligent agents capable of reasoning across extensive codebases, orchestrating subagents, and utilizing tools dependably for long-horizon tasks. Team members ship systems directly into Devin and Windsurf, impacting millions of developers who rely on these tools to write, debug, and ship software.

Key Responsibilities

Design and ship core agent infrastructure for Devin, including tool usage, multi-step planning, context management, subagent orchestration, and sandboxed code execution environments.
Enhance Windsurf as an AI-native IDE by working on editor intelligence, agent-in-the-loop workflows, real-time code comprehension, and overall developer experience.
Collaborate directly with researchers to convert new model capabilities into functional features and guide training priorities through feedback.
Construct high-performance, reliable systems capable of managing millions of agentic tasks efficiently.
Shape the future of AI-driven software engineering by providing direct input into upcoming product roadmaps.

Requirements

At least 5 years of professional experience, with a background at a frontier AI lab, applied AI firm, or developer tools company.
Deep systems engineering expertise in building reliable and performant distributed systems.
Strong product intuition and a history of shipping software used by real people.
Ability to thrive in ambiguous environments, make steady progress with incomplete specifications, and learn rapidly from outcomes.
Demonstrated velocity in shipping quickly without compromising on high code quality standards.
Genuine curiosity regarding large language models, agent failure modes, and reliable real-world AI deployment.
Strong proficiency in Python, including the ability to manage large production codebases.
A Bachelor's, Master's, or equivalent degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related technical discipline from a top-tier university.

Skills and Tools

Python
Distributed Systems
AI Agents and LLMs
Developer Tools

Salary and Benefits

Annual base salary ranging from $260,000 to $300,000 in USD
Significant early-stage equity
Fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
401(k) plan with company match
Onsite perks including a private chef, endless snacks, and cozy slippers

About the Company

Cognition is an applied artificial intelligence laboratory recognized as the creator of Devin, the first AI software engineer. The talent-dense team consists of world-class competitive programmers, former founders, and industry leaders from cutting-edge organizations such as Scale AI, Palantir, Cursor, Waymo, Tesla, Lunchclub, Modal, Google DeepMind, and Nuro.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should visit the official Cognition careers page to submit an application for this role.

Skills and tech stack

Python

Questions candidates ask

What is the location of the Software Engineer role?

The position is based in San Francisco, United States.

What products will I be working on at Cognition?

You will be working on Devin and Windsurf, two products used by millions of developers to write, debug, and ship code.

What is the salary range for this position?

The base salary ranges from $260,000 to $300,000 per year, accompanied by significant early-stage equity.

What programming language is primarily used in Cognition's codebase?

Python is the primary language used across the codebase, and candidates must show strong Python proficiency.

What benefits are included with the job?

Benefits include fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents, a 401(k) with company match, a private chef, endless snacks, and cozy slippers.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Cognition careers page.

Apply on company site