Software Engineer, Client Infrastructure

Backend Engineer · Mid · Full Time

SF / NY / RemoteUSD 150k – 250k8mo ago
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Role

What you'll do.

Cursor seeks a Software Engineer for Client Infrastructure to build performant systems for their AI-powered desktop development tool. The role involves designing build systems, performance optimization, and telemetry infrastructure across macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms serving millions of developers.

Responsibilities

  • Client Infrastructure Design: Design and build core systems that make Cursor desktop experience performant and stable for millions of developers
  • Cross-Platform Development: Develop and maintain applications across macOS, Windows, and Linux platforms
  • Performance Optimization: Eliminate memory leaks, crashes, and frame-time inconsistencies to ensure near-perfect performance
  • Build Systems Architecture: Create and maintain build and distribution systems for rapid deployment cycles
  • Instrumentation Development: Design telemetry systems for profiling, structured logging, and performance measurement
  • Shared Abstractions: Build foundational abstractions and APIs that other engineering teams depend on
  • Release Velocity Optimization: Partner with product teams to enable daily shipping of updates to users safely
  • Architectural Decision Making: Evaluate Electron vs native approaches for critical code paths and guide technical tradeoffs
  • Internal Tooling: Build developer tools that enable engineering teams to ship safely and quickly on the client platform
  • Observability Implementation: Implement comprehensive monitoring, logging, and alerting systems for desktop applications

Qualifications

What we look for.

Technical

  • Client Infrastructure Expertise

    Deep experience in client infrastructure including build systems, performance optimization, distribution, or observability

  • Desktop Application Development

    Proven track record building or contributing to high-performance desktop applications, whether Electron-based or native

  • Performance Engineering

    Strong background in performance optimization, memory management, and system-level debugging

  • Cross-Platform Development

    Experience developing applications across multiple operating systems (macOS, Windows, Linux)

  • System Architecture

    Demonstrated ability in designing elegant, scalable system architectures

Education

  • Computer Science Degree

    Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

  • Systems Programming Knowledge

    Strong foundation in systems programming, operating systems, and computer architecture

Experience

  • Professional Experience

    3-5 years of professional software development experience with focus on client infrastructure or desktop applications

  • High-Performance Applications

    Experience building applications that serve large user bases with strict performance requirements

  • Build System Experience

    Hands-on experience with modern build systems, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment automation

  • Developer Tools

    Background in building internal tools and infrastructure that enhance developer productivity

Skills

Required

  • Systems Programming

    Proficiency in systems-level programming languages like C++, Rust, or Go

  • JavaScript/TypeScript

    Strong expertise in JavaScript and TypeScript for Electron-based development

  • Performance Optimization

    Deep understanding of performance profiling, memory management, and optimization techniques

  • Cross-Platform Development

    Experience with cross-platform desktop application frameworks and native development

  • Build Systems

    Expertise with modern build tools like Webpack, Vite, or native build systems

  • Observability

    Experience with monitoring, logging, and telemetry systems for desktop applications

Preferred

  • AI/ML Integration

    Nice to have

    Experience integrating AI/ML capabilities into desktop applications

  • Native Development

    Nice to have

    Background in native macOS, Windows, or Linux application development

  • Electron Framework

    Nice to have

    Deep experience with Electron framework architecture and optimization

  • Developer Experience

    Nice to have

    Passion for improving developer experience and building elegant developer tools

  • Open Source

    Nice to have

    Active contributions to open source projects related to developer tooling

Tech stack

Languages

TypeScriptJavaScriptC++Rust

Frameworks

ElectronNode.js

Databases

SQLiteRedis

Tools

WebpackDockerGitHub ActionsSentryPrometheus

Other

macOS DevelopmentWindows DevelopmentLinux Development

Compensation

Pay and benefits.

Base·USD 150,000 – 250,000

Equity·Stock options

Benefits

  • Office Locations

    Beautiful offices in North Beach, San Francisco and Manhattan, New York with well-stocked libraries

  • Hybrid Work

    Flexible hybrid work arrangement with option for in-person collaboration

  • Equity Package

    Competitive equity compensation in fast-growing AI company

  • Professional Development

    Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI technology and push the limits of developer tools

  • Small Team Environment

    Work in a flat organization with talent-dense team and direct impact on product direction

Process

Interview steps.

  1. 01

    Initial Screening

    Initial application review to assess fit based on background and experience

  2. 02

    Technical Interviews

    2-3 short technical interviews focusing on systems design and problem-solving skills

  3. 03

    Onsite Interview

    Full-day onsite in SF or NY office including hands-on project work, technical discussions, and team meetings

Full posting

Original listing.

Our mission is to automate coding. The first step in our journey is to build the best tool for professional programmers, using a combination of inventive research, design, and engineering. Our organization is very flat, and our team is small and talent dense. We particularly like people who are truth-seeking, passionate, and creative. We enjoy spirited debate, crazy ideas, and shipping code.

We're in-person with cozy offices in North Beach, San Francisco and Manhattan, New York, replete with well-stocked libraries.

About the Role

As an Engineer on the Client Infrastructure team at Cursor, you’ll design and build the systems that make our desktop experience performant and stable for millions of developers.

You’ll work across the core architecture of the Cursor client—from build and distribution systems to performance instrumentation and shared abstractions that other teams rely on. The work is deeply technical and central to the company’s success. Developers expect near-perfect performance and reliability from their trusted tools; your work will make that possible.

Cursor’s client is growing fast, spanning macOS, Windows, and Linux, and serving an increasingly diverse user base of professional engineers across many programming languages and developer ecosystems. You’ll shape the systems that let us ship safely and quickly, while pushing the limits of what’s possible in an AI-driven development environment.

Example projects include...

  • Building core client infrastructure: shared abstractions, build systems, and observability foundations.

  • Improving reliability and performance: eliminating memory leaks, crashes, and frame-time inconsistencies.

  • Designing instrumentation and telemetry systems for profiling, structured logging, and performance measurement.

  • Partnering with product teams to unlock faster release velocity—shipping updates to users daily.

  • Evaluating Electron vs. native approaches for critical code paths, guiding architectural tradeoffs.

  • Building internal tooling that enables other engineers to ship safely and quickly on the client platform.

You may be a fit if

  • You have deep experience in client infrastructure—build systems, performance, distribution, or observability.

  • You’ve built or contributed to high-performance desktop applications, whether Electron-based or native.

  • You care deeply about performance, reliability, and developer experience, and have an eye for elegant systems design.

  • You thrive in environments that are fast-moving, collaborative, and product-focused.

  • You’re excited to push the limits of what’s possible in AI-driven developer tools.

Applying

If there appears to be a fit, we'll reach to schedule 2-3 short technicals. After, we'll schedule an onsite in our office, where you'll work on a small project, discuss ideas, and meet the team.

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