Staff AI-Native Software Engineer

Company Description

Cricut® empowers people to make and personalize almost anything—from custom cards and apparel to everyday items and home décor. Our smart cutting machines, design apps, and materials make creativity easy and accessible for everyone. We believe everyone is born creative, and our mission is to put the power of handmade into the hands of all. With a passionate community of Makers around the world, Cricut helps turn inspiration into real, tangible creations—one project at a time.

Let’s make.

Job Description

We're looking for a Staff AI-Native Software Engineer to architect the future of a cross-platform design product—spanning desktop and mobile apps for manual and AI-assisted design creation, cloud-saved projects, and rock-solid connectivity and execution on cutting machines over Bluetooth, USB, and Wi-Fi.

This role demands deep systems thinking across client apps, backend services, device connectivity, and hardware/firmware integration, with a mandate to make the entire stack secure, scalable, extensible, maintainable, observable, and genuinely delightful to use. Just as important, you'll shape how AI gets woven into both the product experience itself and the way our engineering organization builds software.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion AI-native engineering practices (agentic coding, AI-assisted review, test generation, AI-augmented design/ADRs) while staying hands-on in critical code paths and maintaining quality, security, and human oversight.
• Drive end-to-end architecture across app, cloud, and device layers—data/control flow, latency, reliability, failure recovery, APIs/integration contracts (with versioning), cross-platform app design, and reliable Bluetooth/USB/Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Lead architecture governance up front for major initiatives: author/review ADRs, run architecture reviews, and keep major PRs traceable to their ADR.
• Own planning, estimation, and delivery accountability—scrutinizing estimates and separating engineering effort from calendar time.
• Ensure reliability, security, and performance through retries, secure auth, encryption, certificate validation, and permissions.
• Partner cross-functionally with product, design, QA, manufacturing, firmware/EE, AI/ML, support, and security, and mentor engineering leaders on performance/UX/reliability/cost tradeoffs.
• Own safe shipping and release health—feature flags, progressive rollout, kill-switches, A/B experiments, and telemetry-driven tracking of crash-free rate, performance budgets, and defect counts.

Qualifications

• 8+ years shipping production software across the full stack—client apps, backend services, and device integration—with strong proficiency in several of the following technologies: Swift, Kotlin, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, React, and Python.
• At least a year of hands-on, pragmatic use of modern AI engineering tools (Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot, agentic SDKs), with the credibility to lead a team in adopting them safely—paired with production experience integrating AI/LLM capabilities: model orchestration, retrieval, agentic patterns, evals, and managing latency/cost/reliability tradeoffs.
• Experience developing backend APIs using at least one modern technology stack, such as .NET/ASP.NET Core, Node.js with NestJS/Express, Java with Spring Boot, or Python with FastAPI/Django.
• Proven track record building cross-platform products at scale across iOS, Android, desktop, and web, using shared code, platform abstraction layers, and disciplined API contracts; React Native or Flutter experience a plus.
• Strong expertise in device connectivity—Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB—including BLE GATT design, Wi-Fi provisioning, and mDNS/SSDP discovery, plus the real-world grit of pairing, interference, bandwidth, reconnection, and platform constraints.
• Working knowledge of embedded and hardware integration: firmware constraints, command protocols, calibration, safety, OTA updates, and error codes/telemetry.
• Strong backend experience with REST APIs, microservices, and backend integration, plus a solid security foundation including hands-on asymmetric cryptography.
• A track record leading large-scale refactors and modernization efforts, with the ability to communicate architecture clearly—diagrams, ADRs, tradeoffs—and influence across teams.
• Comfortable operating at roughly 90% hands-on implementation, 10% architecture leadership: someone who leads by building, not just directing.

Soft Skills 

• Communicates complex technical ideas with clarity—written and verbal—across engineering, product, and design.
• Influences without authority, building genuine stakeholder alignment even when priorities compete.
• Mentors with intent, with a track record of leveling up senior engineers into stronger technologists and leaders.
• Thinks strategically without losing sight of implementation detail—equally comfortable setting direction and getting into the weeds.
• Stays genuinely curious, tracking advances in software development, tooling, and platforms, and pulls the best of what's new into the team's everyday practice.

Additional Information

We’ve Got You Covered

At Cricut, we take care of our people. Enjoy competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, a 401(k) match, generous PTO, tuition reimbursement, and a yearly lifestyle stipend to support your wellness and passions. You’ll also receive exclusive employee discounts—and best of all, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most talented, creative, and curious minds out there.

A Quick Note Before You Apply…

Cricut is in an exciting chapter of transformation. We’re evolving fast—refining our strategy, growing our teams, and raising the bar across everything we do. This is an incredible opportunity for the right kind of person—but it’s not for everyone.

We’re looking for A-players—people who thrive in dynamic environments, turn challenges into momentum, and consistently deliver their best work. If that sounds like you, read on.

Here’s what makes someone a great fit for this role (and for this moment at Cricut):

• You move with urgency. You don’t wait for perfect clarity to act—you start, learn, and adjust.
• You set high standards. You take ownership, deliver quality, and hold yourself accountable.
• You stay focused when things move fast. You prioritize what matters most and tune out the noise.
• You collaborate like a pro. You elevate others, communicate clearly, and bring a low-ego, high-output energy.
• You embrace AI as part of your toolkit. From idea exploration to data analysis and creative problem-solving, you leverage AI to accelerate innovation and amplify impact—because technology and creativity go hand-in-hand here.

One More Thing (It’s a Big One)

This role is in-office at least 4–5 days per week. We believe real collaboration, innovation, and culture are built face-to-face. If you’re energized by working alongside smart, kind, creative people—and love those hallway conversations that spark the next great idea—you’ll feel right at home.

If you’re looking for a fully remote role, this may not be the right fit. But if you’re excited by challenge, purpose, and building something better—let’s make something amazing together.

Relocation Statement:

• This position is eligible for relocation assistance.

What to Do Next: Please attach your resume, cover letter and/or include links to your portfolio or other social presence. If you want to show your super powers in other ways – include that information too. You can be sure that Cricut® is an employer who values individuality, equality and diversity, so tell us what you’re all about. If you are a Maker or a DIY enthusiast, whether you think you are a good one or not, we would love to hear about it when you send us your information.

Cricut® is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. This position is contingent on successfully completing a Criminal Background Check upon hire. Cricut participates in E-Verify.