Graduate AI software engineer (Madrid)
Meetup · Spain
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- €66,065 / year
- Spain
Job highlights
- Build AI-powered product experiences.
- Integrate AI into development workflows.
- Own software from idea to production.
- Work with diverse technology stacks.
- Shape culture in new Madrid office.
About the role
About Meetup and Bending Spoons
Meetup is a community-building platform used by millions to discover events and connect with others. Now part of Bending Spoons, a portfolio of innovative digital businesses, you'll contribute to a high-performing, collaborative environment focused on innovation and operational excellence. You may work directly on Meetup or other leading products within Bending Spoons.
About Bending Spoons' Mission
Bending Spoons aims to be one of the all-time great companies, serving a vast customer base, fostering team member growth, operating with exceptional effectiveness and efficiency, and generating extraordinary value for shareowners ethically. We acquire and operate digital businesses for the long term, transforming them to accelerate innovation and improve customer experience and business performance. Our structure features minimal hierarchy and small, talent-dense teams, blending the ambition of a startup with the stability of established products. We deeply integrate AI into our workflows, merging human judgment with machine intelligence.
Role Overview: AI Software Engineer in Madrid
As an AI Software Engineer in our new Madrid office, you will be among the first hires, playing a crucial role in shaping the office's culture and energy. You will be part of an integrated global team, collaborating across European hubs and contributing to Madrid's ambitious standards. You will work with product teams to identify and build AI-powered product experiences that transform user experiences for millions, driving projects from concept to production with robust, scalable code.
Key Responsibilities
- Build AI-powered product experiences by identifying high-impact opportunities for AI transformation.
- Drive AI solutions from concept to production, delivering robust and scalable code.
- Integrate AI tools into the development workflow (design, implementation, testing, documentation) to enhance speed and maintain high standards.
- Work across diverse technology stacks with end-to-end ownership, selecting appropriate technologies for each challenge (e.g., monoliths, microservices, gRPC, REST, Kubernetes, Docker, Python, Rust).
- Take ownership of software from idea to production, creating and evolving systems used by millions.
- Continuously simplify architectures, pipelines, and codebases for improved scalability and maintainability.
What We Look For
- Reasoning Ability: Solve complex problems using first principles, structure ideas sharply, resist bias, and identify critical details.
- Drive: Exhibit extreme ambition, initiative, effort, and tenacity, with a deep sense of responsibility and a consistently rising bar for performance.
- Team Spirit: Be generous, support the best ideas, readily help the team, and maintain honesty and transparency.
- English Proficiency: Read, write, and speak English proficiently.
What We Offer
- Talented Teams: Work in small, autonomous, result-oriented teams with exceptionally bright individuals.
- Growth Opportunity: Benefit from an environment designed for rapid learning and career progression, with opportunities to lead significant projects early on.
- Competitive Compensation: Receive competitive pay and equity, with typical starting salaries around €66,065 elsewhere in Europe. Salaries range significantly based on experience and impact, with potential for exceptional compensation for high performers. Participate in company value creation through discounted equity.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, remote working options, unlimited learning and training support, top-tier health insurance, relocation assistance, generous parental support, and an annual retreat.
- Flexible Start: Options for flexible start dates and part-time work, allowing you to join before graduation and transition to full-time as you complete your studies.
Commitment & Contract
Permanent or fixed-term. Full-time.
Location
Madrid, Spain.
The Selection Process
We value verifiable signals of excellence. Do not self-reject if you feel you lack experience; apply if you believe you can excel. The process includes challenging tests that may take several hours. Offers are extended only to candidates who meet our high standards. Roles may remain open or be reposted if the right candidate isn't found.
Important Information Before Applying
If you've applied before without an offer, wait at least one year before reapplying. Bending Spoons is a demanding, high-standard environment focused on extraordinary growth and achievement, requiring significant commitment.
Onboarding Recommendation
We recommend spending your first few months in our Milan office for rapid culture absorption and team integration, with support for travel and accommodation. Post-onboarding, you can work from Milan, London, or remotely from approved countries.
Key skills/competency
- AI Software Engineering
- Python
- Rust
- Machine Learning
- Software Development
- Product Development
- Scalability
- Problem-Solving
- Agile Methodologies
- Cloud Technologies
Skills & topics
- AI Software Engineer
- Machine Learning
- Python
- Software Development
- Cloud Computing
- Product Management
- Engineering
- Data Science
- Full-stack Development
- Developer
- Graduate
- Entry Level
How to get hired
- Research Bending Spoons' culture: Understand their mission, values, and focus on innovation and AI integration.
- Tailor your resume: Highlight AI project experience, problem-solving skills, and drive, using keywords from the job description.
- Prepare for tests: Expect challenging technical assessments that may require several hours and unfamiliar problem-solving.
- Showcase ambition and team spirit: Emphasize your drive, initiative, and collaborative approach in interviews and assessments.
- Demonstrate English proficiency: Ensure your communication skills are clear and effective throughout the application process.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the expected salary for an AI Software Engineer at Meetup/Bending Spoons in Madrid?
- For early-career AI Software Engineers in Europe, Bending Spoons typically offers an annual salary around €66,065. Compensation can vary based on location, experience, and expected impact, with potential for significantly higher earnings for candidates with considerable relevant experience or exceptional capabilities. Equity participation is also offered.
- Is this a remote or on-site position for the AI Software Engineer role in Madrid?
- While the position is based in Madrid, Bending Spoons offers a hybrid work arrangement. An initial period of 2-3 months in their Milan office is recommended for onboarding, with the possibility of working remotely from approved countries after that, depending on the offer stage agreements.
- What are the primary technologies used by the AI Software Engineering team?
- The team works across diverse stacks with end-to-end ownership. While specific technologies are chosen for each challenge, the description mentions Python and Rust as programming languages, and a broad range of infrastructure like monoliths, microservices, gRPC, REST, Kubernetes, and Docker.
- What kind of AI experience is required for the Graduate AI Software Engineer role?
- The role emphasizes building AI-powered product experiences and integrating AI tools into workflows. While 'Graduate' suggests entry-level, strong reasoning ability, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn and apply AI concepts are crucial. Practical project experience, even from academic work, is beneficial.
- How challenging are the technical tests for the AI Software Engineer position?
- The tests are described as challenging and may involve unfamiliar problems, potentially taking several hours to complete. Bending Spoons sets a high bar, so thorough preparation and a strong foundation in software engineering and problem-solving are recommended.
- Can I apply for the AI Software Engineer role if I haven't graduated yet?
- Yes, Bending Spoons offers flexible start dates and part-time options, allowing you to apply and begin working even before completing your degree. Many team members have joined prior to graduation and transitioned to full-time roles as they finish their studies.
- What is the culture like at Bending Spoons for an AI Software Engineer?
- The culture is high-performing, collaborative, and focused on rapid learning and growth. Teams are small, talent-dense, and autonomous. There's minimal hierarchy, and a deep integration of AI to enhance human judgment. Expect a demanding environment with high standards and significant commitment required.