Senior Engineer at Harvard University — Cambridge, MA

The Berkman Klein Center is hiring practitioners from industry and elsewhere to develop products, tools, and protocols for existing and new social media platforms. Teams of technologists will generate and drive new ideas, projects, and experiments. The output will range from white papers to fully-functional product prototypes.

A Senior Engineer will work with a small team of engineers to design, build, and test new kinds of social media technology. We are looking for generalists, engineers that can work on building technology that spans the entire stack, from back-end storage to front-end user interfaces. In concert with staff including other engineers, designers, product managers, and leadership, the engineer will ensure that the new technology satisfies traditional engineering goals like scalability and robustness while meeting goals that center responsible technology principles (e.g., giving users more control over their data, or strengthening a user's ability to defend against online harassment).

As a Senior Engineer you will:

• Design, build, and test new social media infrastructure using appropriate software languages and methodologies.
• Engage with senior management and external stakeholders (e.g., open-source project leaders) to integrate technology with the larger tech ecosystem.
• Collaborate with others to identify technical areas of cross-pollination.
• Engage with the larger Berkman Klein Center communities (e.g., by attending workshops and seminars) to learn from the Center’s dynamic intellectual environment and share individual and team learnings.

Basic Qualifications

Minimum of five years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for people who have:

• Technical experience with coding, testing, UX design, or other CS skills
• The ability to work on open-ended problems in ambiguous spaces
• A strong sense of communication with both technical and non-technical audiences
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Experience in the trust and safety space is a plus

Appointment End Date: This is a term appointment expected to extend through December 31, 2026, subject to departmental funding and need.

Standard Hours/Schedule: Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education

Other Information:

Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that the duties and responsibilities can effectively be performed fully remotely at a non-Harvard location. Employees in fully remote positions must work all scheduled hours in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University’s Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. At the discretion of the department, fully remote employees may occasionally be required on site at a Harvard location. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks