Graduate AI software engineer (Madrid)
Evernote · Spain
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- €66,065 / year
- Spain
Job highlights
- Build AI-powered product experiences for millions.
- Integrate cutting-edge AI into development workflows.
- Own diverse tech stacks end-to-end.
- Solve complex problems with strong reasoning.
- Shape culture in new Madrid office.
About the role
About Evernote and Bending Spoons
Evernote is a leading note-taking and organization platform used by millions. Now part of Bending Spoons, a company focused on innovation and operational excellence, you will contribute to a portfolio of outstanding digital businesses. By applying through Evernote, you join the wider Bending Spoons team, potentially working on Evernote or other innovative products. You'll be part of a high-performing, collaborative environment with opportunities for significant impact. Bending Spoons aims to build an exceptional company that serves a large customer base, fosters employee growth, operates with high effectiveness and efficiency, and creates extraordinary value for shareholders while upholding ethical standards. We acquire and operate digital businesses for the long term, implementing deep transformations to accelerate innovation, benefit customers, and enhance business performance. Our structure features minimal hierarchy and talent-dense, small teams, operating established products with startup agility. AI is deeply integrated into our workflows, fostering synergy between human judgment and machine intelligence. For driven individuals, Bending Spoons offers unparalleled opportunities for learning, impact, and rapid career progression.Role in Madrid
As one of the initial hires in our new Madrid office, you will play a crucial role in shaping its culture and environment. You'll set the standard for collaboration and work ethic locally, while being part of an integrated global team that spans across European hubs and beyond.Key Responsibilities
- Build AI-powered product experiences: Collaborate with product teams to identify opportunities where AI can significantly enhance user experiences for millions, and then develop these transformative solutions.
- Drive projects from concept to production: Deliver robust, reproducible, and scalable code, managing the entire development lifecycle.
- Amplify impact with AI: Integrate advanced AI tools into your development workflow—including design, implementation, testing, and documentation—to increase speed and maintain high standards of correctness and reliability.
- Master your toolkit: Own diverse technology stacks end-to-end, selecting appropriate technologies for each challenge, whether it's monoliths or microservices, gRPC or REST, Kubernetes or Docker, Python or Rust. Focus on depth and purpose over fleeting trends.
- Build impactful software: Take full ownership from idea conception to production, creating and evolving systems used by millions.
- Simplify relentlessly: Continuously question complexity, improving architectures, pipelines, and codebases to create simpler, more scalable, and maintainable systems.
What We Look For
- Reasoning ability: Solve complex problems with given knowledge, think from first principles, structure ideas sharply, resist biases, and focus on critical details.
- Drive: Exhibit extreme ambition, initiative, effort, and tenacity. Take deep responsibility for your work and maintain a high, consistently rising standard.
- Team spirit: Be generous, supportive of the best ideas, willing to help your team, and maintain honesty and transparency.
- Proficiency in English: Read, write, and speak English fluently.
What We Offer
- Talented, entrepreneurial teams: Work in small, results-oriented, autonomous teams with exceptionally bright colleagues.
- Exceptional growth opportunities: We hire individuals with outstanding potential and prioritize their development. Spooners in their 20s often lead products worth hundreds of millions, and you can quickly take on essential roles in major projects.
- Competitive pay and equity: Annual salary typically around €66,065 in Europe (adjusts by location and impact). Potential for significant compensation growth with experience. Option to receive part of your pay in discounted company equity. Potential 50% tax cut for relocation to Italy.
- Comprehensive benefits: Flexible hours, remote working options, unlimited learning and training support, top-tier health insurance, generous relocation package, parental support, and a yearly retreat. We support you in creating optimal working conditions.
- Flexible start date and part-time options: Apply before graduation with flexible start dates and part-time possibilities, transitioning to full-time as you complete your degree.
Commitment & Contract
- Permanent or fixed-term.
- Full-time.
Location
Madrid, Spain.The Selection Process
We prioritize verifiable signals of excellence. Don't hesitate to apply if you believe you can excel, even with a non-traditional CV or perceived lack of experience. Our screening process is followed by challenging tests that may take several hours. We extend offers only when confident in the candidate's fit. This rigorous process may lead to jobs remaining open or being reposted. We accommodate individuals with disabilities; please use the provided form. If you've applied before without an offer, we recommend reapplying after one year. Bending Spoons is a demanding, ambitious environment requiring high commitment, but offering extraordinary learning, achievement, and career growth. For a quick ramp-up and success, spending the initial months in our Milan office is recommended, with relocation support provided. Post-initial period, you can work from Milan, London, or remotely from approved countries, as agreed upon during the offer stage. If this role excites you and you're ready to give your best, apply now!Key skills/competency
Key skills for an AI Software Engineer at Evernote include AI-powered product development, software engineering, full-stack development, understanding of AI tools and integration, scalable system design, problem-solving, Python, Rust, gRPC, REST, Kubernetes, Docker, and strong English communication skills.Skills & topics
- AI Software Engineer
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Software Development
- Python
- Rust
- Cloud Computing
- Kubernetes
- Docker
- Problem Solving
- Product Development
- Engineering
- Developer
- Graduate
- Entry Level
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight AI/ML projects, problem-solving skills, and contributions to scalable systems relevant to Evernote's AI-first approach.
- Ace the tests: Prepare for challenging technical assessments that measure reasoning and problem-solving abilities under pressure.
- Showcase drive and team spirit: Emphasize your ambition, initiative, collaborative nature, and commitment to high standards in your application and interviews.
- Demonstrate English proficiency: Ensure your written and spoken English communication skills are excellent, as required for this role.
- Embrace the culture: Understand Bending Spoons' focus on innovation, operational excellence, and continuous growth to align your aspirations with theirs.
Technical preparation
Master Python and Rust for AI development.,Practice algorithms and data structures.,Learn Kubernetes and Docker for deployment.,Build AI projects with real-world data.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex problem you solved.,How do you handle ambitious goals?,Share an example of teamwork success.,How do you ensure code quality?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the typical technical challenges for an AI Software Engineer at Evernote?
- AI Software Engineers at Evernote tackle challenges like building scalable AI-powered product features, integrating AI tools into development workflows for enhanced efficiency, and optimizing complex systems for millions of users. You'll work across diverse stacks, from monoliths to microservices, using technologies like Python, Rust, Kubernetes, and Docker, focusing on robust and maintainable code.
- How important is prior experience for the Graduate AI Software Engineer role at Evernote?
- While formal experience is valued, Evernote (Bending Spoons) prioritizes verifiable signals of excellence, strong reasoning ability, drive, and team spirit. If you believe you can excel over time, don't self-reject due to perceived lack of experience. The role is designed for growth and learning.
- What is the expected career progression for an AI Software Engineer at Evernote?
- Evernote, as part of Bending Spoons, offers exceptional growth opportunities. Spooners in their 20s often lead significant products. You can expect rapid career progression, taking on essential roles in major projects and growing your responsibilities as you demonstrate capability and contribute to the company's success.
- Does Evernote offer remote work for AI Software Engineers?
- While the role is based in Madrid, Bending Spoons offers flexibility. After an initial onboarding period in Milan, you may have the option to work remotely from approved countries, depending on the agreement at the offer stage. The company supports various work arrangements to help employees do their best work.
- What kind of AI technologies are used at Evernote?
- Evernote integrates AI deeply into its products and workflows. As an AI Software Engineer, you'll work with cutting-edge AI tools to build AI-powered experiences and enhance development processes. This includes exploring opportunities where AI can transform user experiences and improve internal efficiency across design, implementation, and testing.
- How does Bending Spoons foster a collaborative environment for its AI Software Engineers?
- Bending Spoons emphasizes small, talent-dense teams with minimal hierarchy, fostering a highly collaborative and results-oriented environment. You'll work alongside exceptionally bright individuals, supporting the best ideas and contributing to a culture of shared responsibility and transparency.
- What is the salary range for an AI Software Engineer at Evernote in Europe?
- For early-career professionals in Europe, the typical annual salary is around €66,065. Compensation varies by location and expected impact, and can grow rapidly with experience. Candidates with considerable relevant experience may see offers between €107,837 and €188,848.