---
title: 'Software Engineer, Backend at Beacon AI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-backend-beacon-ai-san-carlos-ktrttmr6dzk6'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Software Engineer, Backend at Beacon AI 

- **Company:** Beacon AI 
- **Location:** San Carlos, CA
- **Compensation:** $135k–$190k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-27
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/beaconai/d4a28f68-1fd1-4cf5-9195-42d91804efbb

## Job description

## ABOUT BEACON AI

We’re a fast-moving team of aviators, engineers, and operators building an AI platform to make flying safer, more efficient, and more capable. Backed by top investors, we’ve secured a dozen Department of Defense contracts and partnered with major airlines to deliver mission-critical systems. We operate without silos or heavy processes. Small, focused teams own what they build, ship quickly, and learn fast, pushing the boundaries of how humans and AI work together in aviation.

## Role Overview

We are seeking a Backend Software Engineer to join our team and help build the backend systems that power our flight safety platform. In this role, you will work closely with senior engineers and product partners to design, build, and maintain backend services, APIs, and data pipelines. You’ll contribute to production systems, grow your backend engineering skills, and play a meaningful role in supporting mission-critical, real-world applications.

## What You’ll Do

- Design, implement, and maintain backend services and APIs used by web and mobile applications.
- Work with senior engineers to build reliable, scalable backend systems in production environments.
- Integrate with internal and external data sources, including real-time and batch data pipelines.
- Collaborate with product managers and cross-functional partners to deliver backend features that support user-facing functionality.
- Participate in code reviews and follow established backend best practices and architectural patterns.
- Help ensure system reliability, performance, and maintainability through testing, monitoring, and documentation.

What Will Make You Successful

- 2+ years of experience building backend systems, or equivalent experience through internships, projects, or coursework.
- Experience with at least one modern backend language such as Python or JavaScript/TypeScript (Node.js).
- Familiarity with designing or consuming APIs and working with databases or data stores.
- Exposure to production environments and an understanding of reliability, performance, and security fundamentals.
- Strong problem-solving skills and eagerness to learn from feedback and mentorship.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.

Bonus Points

- Passion for aviation and a desire to improve air travel efficiency and safety.
- Exposure to data pipelines, real-time data systems, or distributed systems concepts.
- Interest in machine learning, data-intensive systems, or large-scale data processing.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms, CI/CD workflows, or DevOps concepts.

Work Location This is a hybrid role based in San Carlos, CA, with 3+ days per week onsite and the option to work remotely on remaining days.

## Perks & Benefits (Full-Time Employees)

- Healthcare: 100%* of employee medical premiums covered; 25% for dependents
- Time Off: 3 weeks PTO plus 13+ paid company holidays
- 401(k): Offered (no current employer match, but we are committed to enhancing this benefit in the future)

Due to U.S. export control regulations, we can only hire U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, lawful permanent residents, or individuals granted asylum or refugee status). We are unable to provide visa sponsorship or support visa transfers. All work must be performed in the United States.

Beacon AI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We prohibit harassment or discrimination of any kind in the workplace and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

## About Beacon AI 

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Beacon AI builds an AI Copilot for pilots to enhance flight safety and operational efficiency, serving commercial airlines, defense fleets, and aircraft operators.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A – $15M led by Costanoa Ventures, August 2024)
- **Headquarters**: San Carlos, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Matt Cox (Co‑Founder & CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary Industry**: Aviation software / AI‑powered pilot assistance
- **Target Customers**: Airlines, Public & Government Fleets, Air Charter Operators, Corporate Flight Departments, OEMs, System Integrators
- **Mission Statement**: “An AI Assistant or Copilot in every professional flight deck; pulling forward the future.” – Beacon AI

## Products & Services
- **Safety Net**: AI‑driven procedures, checklists, configuration management, and pilot safety system (alerts, compliance monitoring)
- **Coach**: In‑flight debrief and playback, live flight support, fleet monitoring, third‑party integration
- **Superhuman**: Route optimization, divert calculations, and performance analytics – all running as a hardware‑lite onboard assistant

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding – **$21.25M** (Series A $15M, Seed $5M, Grant $1.2M, Pre‑Seed)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Costanoa Ventures (lead), Sam Altman (Apollo Projects / Hydrazine), JetBlue Ventures, Scout Ventures, Lachy Groom, Mischief, Countdown Capital
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Signed a **$49.5M Phase 3 Prototype OTA** with USSOCOM to bring first‑of‑its‑kind pilot assistant to production
  - Awarded a **U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command** contract (April 2026)
  - Employee count grew ~7.4% month‑over‑month (current ~18‑19 employees)
  - Job postings increased **+72.7% monthly** and **+137.5% quarterly** as of mid‑2026

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unique team blend**: Founders and engineers combine deep professional pilot experience with self‑driving car software expertise (e.g., autonomous driving, military aviation backgrounds)
- **Hardware‑lite AI assistant**: Differentiates from traditional avionics by focusing on intelligent software augmentation rather than complex hardware integration
- **Defense‑grade contracts**: Early validation from USSOCOM and U.S. Air Force demonstrates trust in safety‑critical environments

## Strategic Focus
- Scaling production of the AI Copilot for both defense and commercial fleets
- Expanding integrations with aircraft systems and third‑party platforms
- Aggressively hiring across engineering (backend, iOS, AI/LLM, cloud infrastructure, frontend) and business roles to meet contract demand

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Ratings**: 5.0/5.0 on LinkedIn (6 reviews); Career 5.0, Culture 4.8, Compensation 4.6 – employees highlight challenging work and high growth
- **Work Environment**: In‑office (onsite) at San Carlos, CA; small, tight‑knit team (≈19 people)
- **Notable Perks / Engineering**: Work on cutting‑edge AI for aviation safety with direct impact on pilots and passengers; cross‑discipline collaboration (aviation, AI, software)
- **Open Roles** (as of mid‑2026): Lead Backend Engineer, iOS/Mobile Engineer (EFB, Health Wearable), AI/LLM Engineer (multiple levels), Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Frontend Engineer, Product Designer, and more

## Sources
1. [beaconai.co](https://beaconai.co/)
2. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/beacon-ai)
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/beacon-ai)
4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/beacon-ai)
5. [jobs.beaconai.co](https://jobs.beaconai.co/)

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