Full-Stack Software Engineer

Are you passionate about building innovative web applications and using AI to address real-world learning challenges? Do you want to help shape the future of education?
PrairieLearn is an early-stage EdTech startup. We are hiring talented Full-Stack Software Engineers.

Location: Fully remote (anywhere in the US)
Position Type: Full-time
Visa Sponsorship: Unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visas at this time.

PrairieLearn is an open-source assessment platform, originally developed at the University of Illinois and now used at top universities across the US, including Berkeley, Princeton, Michigan, and UIUC. We empower mastery-based learning and large-scale assessment with an emphasis on reliability and innovation. We are like a "power-user" version of Gradescope/Canvas/Moodle. We’re also developing AI tooling in the product, including LLM agents to help instructors create content, and vision-language models to help grade student work. This is practical, user-facing AI work with real-world impact — not a research sandbox.

We are a small, profitable, open-source, bootstrapped company growing quickly. Our users love us and we have very high retention and rapid spread through word of mouth. As an early-stage hire, you’ll work across the stack and enjoy meaningful ownership from day one. You’ll help deliver practical, user-facing features with clear guardrails and authentic educational impact.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain systems across the stack: Node.js/TypeScript backend, Postgres, and React. We use tRPC, TanStack, and AWS.

• Design features end-to-end, from conception to rollout, working in a small team to architect and iterate on these features

• Collaborate directly with educators and TAs to translate academic needs into high-quality features

You Might Be a Fit If You…

• Have experience with full-stack web development

• Enjoy engaging directly with users—especially instructors and TAs

• Love owning projects from initial idea through to production

• Love using the cutting edge of AI development tools (Claude, Codex)

• Even if you don’t meet every requirement: If you’re a quick learner and passionate about education and engineering, we encourage you to apply!

• Node.js / TypeScript backend

• Postgres, Redis, AWS, Docker

• React / tRPC / TanStack

• Open source: PrairieLearn on GitHub

• Bootstrapped & Profitable: We’re growing quickly and sustainably

• Open Source: Collaborate with a global community of developers and educators

• Stock Options: As an early hire, you’ll receive stock options with your offer

• Remote Culture: Work from anywhere in the US with a flexible schedule

• Unlimited PTO & Flexible Hours: Take time when you need it and work when you perform best

• Career Growth: Early-stage team members have outsized opportunities for impact and learning

Location: Remote (US only)
Salary: $100k-$180k depending on experience
Benefits: Stock options (0.5% - 1.5%), unlimited PTO, flexible hours
Type: Full-time
Visa sponsorship: Not available

PrairieLearn is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Thank you for applying to PrairieLearn!