Cantina
Senior Staff Software Engineer, Search & Recommendation
About this role
Description: Join Cantina Labs as a Senior Staff Software Engineer to lead search and recommendations for AI characters. Own the architecture, roadmap, and quality metrics for search, retrieval, and ranking systems. Requirements: 10+ years of experience in production software, particularly in search, ranking, or ML-driven relevance. Hands-on expertise with production search engines like OpenSearch or Elasticsearch. Strong understanding of relevance measurement and experience with A/B testing frameworks. Proficiency in distributed systems and backend development, preferably in Go or similar languages. Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with Product teams. Preferred experience with AI-generated content and cold-start conditions. Benefits: Competitive salary and generous equity options. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with 99.99% premium coverage. 42 days of paid time off, including PTO, sick days, and holidays. Generous parental leave and fertility support. 401(k) retirement savings plan. $500/month lifestyle spending account. Complimentary lunch and snacks for in-office employees.