Software Engineer III Data Infrastructure The
Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.
The
Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) drives computational and technological innovation across the Allen Institute by advancing engineering excellence, developing scalable technology solutions, and enabling scientific discovery. Through strategic partnerships and technical leadership, OCTO accelerates research, enhances operational efficiency, and fosters collaboration in support of the Institute's mission.
The Allen Institute
Scientific Computing team is focused on driving open science by building data management tools that enable rapid, high-quality sharing of data. The team develops scalable data management infrastructure that support the full data lifecycle, from acquisition and metadata capture through processing, storage, discovery, and reuse. By partnering closely with scientists and engineering teams across the Institute, Scientific Computing helps ensure that complex biological datasets are reliable, accessible, and ready to accelerate discovery.
We are seeking a
Software Engineer to serve as a technical contributor responsible for designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable data management infrastructure that supports large-scale scientific data collection and sharing across the Allen Institute. This role will focus on the reliable transfer of data and metadata to cloud storage systems, execution of standard processing pipelines, and development of infrastructure that facilitates data sharing and discovery in the public cloud. The ideal candidate is facile with the complexities of large-scale biology, comfortable with modern cloud-native tools and technologies for data management, and sets high standards for code quality, sustainability, and operational reliability.
At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.
We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
Essential Functions - Collaborate with product management, leadership, and scientists to manage a cloud-based data collaboration platform
- Develop databases and APIs that standardize metadata and scripts that migrate data rapidly to the cloud
- Develop infrastructure to facilitate monitoring and analysis of complex, varied biological data
- Provide technical mentorship to engineers through design reviews, code reviews, documentation, and shared engineering standards
- Establish and maintain industry software development best practices at the institute - develop unit and integration tests, participate in code reviews, version code, track issues, and write documentation
Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Required Education and Experience - Bachelor's Degree in computer science, computer engineering, or relevant field; or equivalent combination of degree and experience
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in a similar role
- Experience providing technical leadership for complex software systems, including architecture, code review, and cross-functional collaboration
- Extensive programming experience in Python
Preferred Education and Experience - Ph.D. in computer science, computational biology, or relevant field
- Modern, working knowledge of cloud services in AWS and Google Cloud Platform
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Working knowledge of agentic software development best practices
Physical Demands - Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work - This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with the flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.
Travel - Attendance and participation in national and international conferences as appropriate
Additional Comments - **Please note, this opportunity does offer relocation assistance**
- **Please note, this opportunity may offer work visa sponsorship**
Annualized Salary Range * Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.
Benefits - Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute's Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute's 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute's benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: .
It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities
