Software Engineer, Data Infrastructure & Acquisition - Champaign, IL, Champaign, IL

Software Engineer, Data Infrastructure & Acquisition - Champaign, IL, USA

The mission of Speechify is to make sure that reading is never a barrier to learning. Over 50 million people use Speechify’s text‑to‑speech products to turn whatever they’re reading – PDFs, books, Google Docs, news articles, websites – into audio, so they can read faster, read more, and remember more. Speechify’s products include its iOS app, Android app, Mac app, Chrome extension, and web app.

Google recently named Speechify the Chrome Extension of the Year and Apple named Speechify its 2025 Design Award winner for Inclusivity.

Today, nearly 200 people around the globe work on Speechify in a fully distributed setting. These include frontend and backend engineers, AI research scientists, and others from Amazon, Microsoft, Google, startup founders, and top Ph.D. programs.

We’re hiring a skilled Software Engineer to build and scale data collection pipelines that power our AI models. The role encompasses data sourcing, ingestion, and collaboration with scientists to drive cost, throughput, and quality.

• Scrape and ingest new audio data sources into our pipeline.
• Operate and extend the GCP‑based cloud infrastructure, managed with Terraform.
• Collaborate with scientists to improve cost, throughput, and quality of training data.
• Work with the AI team and leadership to craft the dataset roadmap for next‑generation consumer and enterprise products.

• BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or a related field.
• 5+ years of industry experience in software development.
• Proficiency with bash/Python scripting in Linux environments.
• Experience with Docker, Infrastructure‑as‑Code, and at least one major cloud provider (GCP).
• Experience building large‑scale data processing workflows or web crawlers is a plus.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• A fast‑growing environment where you can shape the company and product.
• An entrepreneurial‑minded team that supports risk, intuition, and hustle.
• A hands‑off management approach so you can focus on high‑impact work.
• An opportunity to make a large impact in a life‑changing product that millions of people use.
• Competitive salaries, a friendly and laid‑back atmosphere, and a commitment to building a great asynchronous culture.
• Products that directly support people with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADD, low vision, concussions, autism, and more.
• Work in one of the fastest‑growing sectors of tech: the intersection of AI and audio.

United States base salary range: $140,000–$200,000 + bonus + equity, depending on experience.

Speechify is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Speechify does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.