๐ Job Overview
Job Title: Software Engineer, Frontier Prototyping
Company: Anthropic
Location: San Francisco, CA | New York City, NY | Seattle, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Engineering
Date Posted: 2025-06-05
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (6+ years)
Remote Status: Hybrid (1 day/week in the office)
๐จ Role Summary
- Rapidly prototype full stack applications showcasing emerging AI capabilities
- Collaborate with research teams to create intuitive user interfaces
- Gather feedback from customers and partners to iterate quickly and validate product concepts
- Coordinate across multiple teams to ensure prototypes integrate with existing infrastructure
๐ผ๏ธ Primary Responsibilities
- Prototype full stack applications to demonstrate emerging AI capabilities in novel user experiences
- Collaborate closely with research teams to understand new model capabilities and translate them into intuitive user interfaces
- Build and deploy prototypes for internal test users and external partners, shipping early and often to maximize learning
- Work directly with customers and early access partners to gather feedback, iterate quickly, and validate product concepts
- Coordinate across multiple teams at Anthropic to ensure prototypes integrate with existing infrastructure and capabilities
- Advocate for user experience considerations in the research and development process
- Provide valuable feedback to research teams about the effectiveness of new model capabilities and where model quality can be improved
- Generate insights and documentation to guide transition of successful prototypes to full product teams
- Flexibly contribute to various frontier initiatives based on organizational priorities and emerging opportunities
๐ Skills & Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience
Experience: 6+ years of experience building full stack applications with a focus on user experience and rapid iteration
Required Skills:
- Strong technical skills across modern web development stacks (React, Node.js, Python, etc.)
- Experience with rapid prototyping and discarding prototypes based on learning
- Comfortable working with APIs, databases, and cloud technologies
- Strong communication skills and user empathy to translate complex AI capabilities into intuitive experiences
- Results-oriented with a bias toward flexibility, impact, and continuous learning
- Enjoy collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including researchers, designers, and product managers
- Pick up slack, even if it goes outside your job description
- Exposure to cutting-edge AI research and its practical applications
- Care about the societal impacts and ethics of your work
Preferred Skills:
- Experience building products that involve AI/ML components or APIs
- Experience with large language models or other AI technologies
- Experience conducting user research, interviews, and usability testing
- Experience with real-time applications and WebSocket implementations
- Experience working with design systems and frontend component libraries
- Background in both B2B and B2C product development
- Developed products for a variety of audiences in multiple industries
๐จ Portfolio & Creative Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing full stack applications with a focus on user experience and rapid iteration
- Include case studies that highlight your ability to create intuitive user interfaces for complex AI capabilities
- Showcase your ability to gather feedback and iterate quickly based on user input
- Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
Process Documentation:
- Include documentation that outlines your approach to rapid prototyping and user experience design
- Showcase your ability to provide valuable feedback to research teams about the effectiveness of new model capabilities
- Demonstrate your ability to generate insights and documentation to guide the transition of successful prototypes to full product teams
๐ต Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $320,000 - $485,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Optional equity donation matching
- Generous vacation and parental leave
- Flexible working hours
- Lovely office space in San Francisco
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work arrangement (1 day/week in the office)
๐ฏTeam & Company Context
๐ข Company & Design Culture
Industry: Research Services
Company Size: 501-1,000 employees
Founded: 2021
Team Structure:
- Anthropic works as a single cohesive team on just a few large-scale research efforts
- The Frontier Prototyping team works closely with both customers and researchers to create innovative interfaces and interactions
- The team is highly collaborative, and communication skills are valued
Methodology:
- Anthropic views AI research as an empirical science, which has as much in common with physics and biology as with traditional efforts in computer science
- The team hosts frequent research discussions to ensure that they are pursuing the highest-impact work at any given time
- The team values impact over working on smaller and more specific puzzles
Company Website: Anthropic
๐ Career & Growth Analysis
Design Career Level: Mid-Senior level (6+ years of experience)
Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Frontier Prototyping team lead and works closely with researchers, designers, and product managers
Design Impact: The role has a significant impact on the development of innovative user interfaces and the successful integration of emerging AI capabilities
Growth Opportunities:
- As Anthropic continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the role to expand and take on more responsibility
- The role provides exposure to cutting-edge AI research and its practical applications, offering opportunities for professional development
- The collaborative nature of the role offers opportunities to build relationships and gain mentorship from experienced researchers and team members
๐ Work Environment
Studio Type: Anthropic's office space in San Francisco is designed to facilitate collaboration and creativity
Office Location(s): San Francisco, CA
Design Workspace Context:
- The office space is designed to accommodate both individual focus and collaborative work
- The team works closely together, with a strong emphasis on communication and collaboration
- The office is equipped with modern technology and tools to support the team's work
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week) with a hybrid work arrangement (1 day/week in the office)
๐ Application & Portfolio Review Process
Design Interview Process:
- The interview process includes a technical assessment, a portfolio review, and a behavioral interview
- The technical assessment focuses on the candidate's ability to rapidly prototype full stack applications
- The portfolio review assesses the candidate's ability to create intuitive user interfaces and gather feedback
- The behavioral interview focuses on the candidate's communication skills, user empathy, and collaboration abilities
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight case studies that demonstrate your ability to create intuitive user interfaces for complex AI capabilities
- Demonstrate your ability to gather feedback and iterate quickly based on user input
- Showcase your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
Challenge Preparation:
- The technical assessment may include a take-home challenge or an on-site coding exercise
- The challenge will focus on the candidate's ability to rapidly prototype full stack applications
- The challenge will be designed to mimic real-world scenarios and assess the candidate's ability to work under time constraints
ATS Keywords: Full Stack Development, User Experience, Rapid Prototyping, Web Development, APIs, Databases, Cloud Technologies, Communication Skills, User Empathy, Collaboration, AI/ML Components, User Research, Real-Time Applications, Design Systems, B2B Product Development, B2C Product Development
๐ Tools & Technology Stack
Primary Design Tools:
- React, Node.js, and Python are the primary tools used for full stack development
- The team uses modern web development stacks and cloud technologies
- The team values tools that facilitate rapid prototyping and collaboration
Collaboration & Handoff:
- The team uses version control systems and collaboration tools to manage code and facilitate communication
- The team values tools that enable real-time collaboration and feedback
Research & Testing:
- The team uses user research methods and tools to gather feedback and validate product concepts
- The team values tools that enable user testing and data analysis
๐ฅ Team Culture & Values
Design Values:
- Anthropic values collaboration, communication, and impact-driven research
- The team values a user-centered approach to design and a focus on creating intuitive user interfaces
- The team values a results-oriented approach and a bias toward flexibility, impact, and continuous learning
- The team values a culture of experimentation and a willingness to take risks and learn from failures
Collaboration Style:
- The team works closely together, with a strong emphasis on communication and collaboration
- The team values a culture of open feedback and a willingness to learn from one another
- The team values a culture of experimentation and a willingness to take risks and learn from failures
โก Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Design Challenges:
- Rapidly prototyping full stack applications to demonstrate emerging AI capabilities
- Creating intuitive user interfaces for complex AI capabilities
- Gathering feedback from customers and partners to iterate quickly and validate product concepts
- Integrating prototypes with existing infrastructure and capabilities
- Advocating for user experience considerations in the research and development process
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Exposure to cutting-edge AI research and its practical applications
- Opportunities to collaborate with experienced researchers and team members
- Opportunities to gain mentorship and guidance from experienced team members
๐ก Interview Preparation
Design Process Questions:
- How do you approach rapid prototyping and discarding prototypes based on what you learn?
- How do you gather feedback and iterate quickly based on user input?
- How do you advocate for user experience considerations in the research and development process?
Company Culture Questions:
- How do you collaborate with cross-functional teams, including researchers, designers, and product managers?
- How do you contribute to a culture of open feedback and a willingness to learn from one another?
- How do you approach a culture of experimentation and a willingness to take risks and learn from failures?
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Highlight case studies that demonstrate your ability to create intuitive user interfaces for complex AI capabilities
- Demonstrate your ability to gather feedback and iterate quickly based on user input
- Showcase your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
๐ Application Steps
To apply for this design position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Prepare a portfolio that showcases your ability to rapidly prototype full stack applications and create intuitive user interfaces for complex AI capabilities
- Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant skills and experience in full stack development, user experience design, and rapid prototyping
- Prepare for the technical assessment by brushing up on your skills in React, Node.js, and Python
- Research Anthropic's mission, values, and culture to ensure a strong fit with the team and company