Staff Software Engineer

About Bluebird Kids Health 

Bluebird Kids Health provides underserved communities with new access to value-based pediatric primary care. Our mission is simple and bold: provide exceptional care, so every child can thrive. We deliver comprehensive primary and urgent care with 24/7 support, proactive care coordination, chronic condition management, and population health programs that improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs — all while creating a joyful experience for families and a supportive environment for clinicians. 

Position Overview 

We’re hiring a Staff Software Engineer to play a foundational role on our engineering team. You’ll be joining a newly formed team of three engineers, collaborating on technical direction and fostering shared growth as we build the operating system for pediatric care. 

In this role, you’ll architect and build robust backend systems, scalable data workflows, and intuitive interfaces for families and care teams. You’ll partner closely with clinical operations, design, and product leaders to deliver seamless experiences that connect modern patient-facing apps, staff tools, and external systems like EHRs and payers.

You’ll work primarily in Django and AWS, with opportunities to contribute across our full stack (React/TypeScript). This is a rare opportunity to shape foundational systems and culture at an early stage — with meaningful impact on children and families nationwide. 

What You’ll Do  

• Shape and refine system design and architecture for core platform components, services, and APIs 

• Write clean, maintainable, and secure backend code using Django and Python 

• Strengthen infrastructure, reliability, and observability best practices in AWS 

• Support and mentor teammates through code reviews, pairing, and design discussions 

• Build integrations with external clinical and data systems (e.g., FHIR, HL7, SFTP, payers) 

• Contribute to internal tools and user-facing experiences across web/mobile 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with clinical, product, and operations partners 

• Help establish engineering standards, documentation, and team processes 

• Contribute to an engineering culture grounded in curiosity, accountability, and collaboration 

What You’ll Bring 

• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, including ownership of complex systems 

• Deep expertise in backend development and system design 

• Expert proficiency with Django (or equivalent Python frameworks) and AWS 

• Experience designing and scaling APIs, data models, and distributed systems 

• Good judgment for balancing progress and perfection — right-sizing solutions, avoiding scope creep 

• Experience mentoring peers and contributing to technical decision-making 

• Strong communication skills and comfort working with non-technical stakeholders 

• U.S.-based and authorized to work in the U.S. (Boston/Needham proximity is a strong plus) 

Bonus Points 

• Experience with healthcare data interfaces and standards (FHIR, HL7, CCD/CCDA, HIEs) 

• Background in early-stage environments building systems from first principles 

• Exposure to React, TypeScript, or other modern JS frameworks 

• Experience in regulated environments or handling sensitive data 

Bluebird Kids Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We embrace the richness of diversity and do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We recognize that traditional job requirements can sometimes inadvertently exclude talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds or those who have taken non-traditional paths to acquire their skills. Therefore, even if you do not meet every listed requirement or have gained your qualifications in unconventional ways, we wholeheartedly encourage you to apply.  We value passion, potential, and the drive to learn just as highly as formal qualifications, and we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone’s contributions are valued. 

What We Offer 

• The opportunity to serve within a mission-driven pediatric care delivery organization. 

• A competitive compensation package with performance incentives and, for some roles, equity participation. 

• A collaborative and dynamic workplace with significant professional growth opportunities. 

• A diverse and inclusive company culture that values every team member's contribution to our mission. 

• Competitive medical, vision, and dental insurance products. 

• Other programs including 401k matching, employee assistance, caregiver support, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, short- and long-term disability benefits, and other exclusive employee benefits. 

• Generous paid time off. 

• Fully remote or hybrid with an office in Needham, MA—complete with snacks, beverages, and friendly faces.