Software Engineer – Foundry Systems

Airtree is advertising this role on behalf of one of our portfolio companies, who are currently in stealth mode. We exist to drastically increase access to advanced medicines. We're hiring a software engineer to build the systems behind the foundry: software that runs lab and factory equipment, coordinates production work, tracks materials and creates the records regulated manufacturing requires. Why this role exists This is an early-career role with a high bar. We're looking for people who've done hard work well and can sustain a high rate of delivery, whatever field that evidence comes from. You will work with scientists and operators to understand real problems, decide what matters most and choose how to solve it. You will get broad goals and own the detailed path from need to live software. Our products are AI-native: AI agents will write a large share of the code. Your job is to understand what each system must achieve, turn that into clear tests, and verify the generated code on live lab and factory systems. That takes care, technical judgement and thorough testing. You stay responsible for the result, regardless of what wrote the code. What you'll own During your first 3-6 months, you will help build and improve software for equipment control, process coordination, electronic work records and material tracking. Work with scientists and operators to turn real needs into clear requirements and prioritiesBuild Python services, process-control software, TypeScript and React interfaces, APIs and PostgreSQL data modelsConnect software to physical equipment through interfaces such as Modbus and OPC UADeploy and operate systems on AWSUse AI agents to generate, review, test and debug software, and take responsibility for what they produceVerify that software does what it needs to, through code review, automated tests, simulation and controlled trials on live equipmentTest normal operation, failure cases, data integrity, equipment responses and safe recoveryOwn production systems: monitoring, support, incident response and on-call work. Much of this work supports regulated, mission-critical or safety-affecting systems. You're responsible for their behaviour, including code an AI agent produced. Cloud and infrastructure work exists to support the core job: improving lab and factory systems. Requirements What we're looking for Essential 2-4 years of professional software engineering experienceA bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science or another engineering fieldStrong fundamentals across APIs, databases, testing, debugging and production systemsClear evidence of high performance, from academic results, professional work, difficult projects, research, open source work or another demanding fieldExperience building and shipping software that people actually useAbility to work out what software must achieve, turn that into testable behaviour and verify the result thoroughlyRegular use of AI coding agents, with the discipline to review and test generated code across normal operation, edge cases, failures and recoveryComfortable working directly with users, setting sound priorities and staying hands-on through delivery and supportThe right to work in Australia, work on-site in inner Sydney and join an on-call roster Nice to have Experience with Python, TypeScript, React, PostgreSQL, AWS or TerraformExperience with process control, state machines or event-driven systemsExperience connecting software to lab, factory or other physical equipmentExperience with audit trails, electronic records or regulated software What success looks like Within three months, scientists or operators are using software you delivered. You understand the need, have verified it on the real system and can support it in daily use. Within six months, you own several production systems outright. You understand their users, code, data, equipment links and failure modes, and can find and deliver valuable improvements with little direction. You use AI to keep your rate of delivery high. Thorough testing, monitoring and controlled releases keep the software reliable. How we work We're a small team with fast development cycles and direct communication. Goals often start broad; engineers work with scientists and operators to define the work and carry it through to live use. The role is based in inner Sydney. You'll work at a desk, in the lab and around factory equipment, and help support whatever you release. This is primarily an on-site role.