Company Description

Canvass Labs builds AI-driven tooling for secure code analysis, software refactoring, and modernization of complex legacy systems. We combine large language models, program analysis, and secure software engineering to find vulnerabilities, improve code quality, and modernize long-lived C/C++ software for contemporary and mission-critical environments.

We are a small, founder-led technical team doing hard work on real systems, and we are funded and growing through an active federal contract. You will be one of our first engineering hires, with direct ownership of core capabilities and a real say in how the platform is built. We are looking for engineers who want to grow with the company: people who take ownership, collaborate openly, and want to help shape an early-stage team rather than slot into a fixed role.

Role Description

We are hiring two engineers, one senior and one junior. We are flexible on level and will calibrate scope, compensation, and equity to demonstrated depth. Both roles are full-time and U.S.-based remote.

What You’ll Do

Build and maintain the tools and pipelines at the center of our platform: source code analysis, vulnerability detection, refactoring, and modernization workflows. Write production-quality Python tooling, automation, and analysis pipelines. Analyze C and C++ codebases to surface unsafe patterns and modernization opportunities. Help validate AI-generated and tool-generated recommendations for correctness, security, and maintainability. Work with complex and legacy code, reason carefully about its behavior, and document findings clearly for both engineers and non-engineers

How We Work

We use AI coding tools heavily and expect you to. The value you add is judgment, not keystrokes: knowing where AI-generated code needs scrutiny, what to verify before trusting it, and how to troubleshoot when something is subtly wrong. This matters most on security-critical C/C++, where a plausible-looking fix can be exactly wrong. Senior engineers will mentor and set direction; we are looking for quick learners who can take that guidance and run.

Core Requirements (Both Levels)

• Strong software engineering fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, systems thinking, testing, debugging, and version control.
• Strong Python skills for tooling, automation, scripting, and analysis pipelines.
• Working knowledge of databases and data modeling for analysis and pipeline work.
• Practical C/C++ experience, or strong systems-level fundamentals and a clear ability to ramp quickly on C/C++.
• Curiosity and good instincts about AI-generated code: a habit of questioning surprising output, and a preference for verifying over assuming.
• A fast learner who can take direction from senior engineers and quickly work independently.
• A collaborative, low-ego approach: comfortable sharing work early, giving and taking direct feedback, and wearing multiple hats on a small team.
• Clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Additional Depth for the Senior Role

• Deep C/C++ vulnerability knowledge: memory safety, buffer overflows, use-after-free, integer overflows, unsafe input handling, and dependency-related risk.
• Experience with compilers, build systems, or program analysis (Make, CMake, GCC, Clang, IR-level reasoning).
• Hands-on experience analyzing, refactoring, or modernizing legacy C/C++ systems.
• Secure coding, vulnerability analysis, or software assurance background.
• Developed engineering judgment about when to trust, verify, or rewrite AI-generated code, with the instinct to dig in when something looks off.

Nice to Have (Either Level)

• Static analysis / SAST tools, fuzzing, or symbolic execution.
• Familiarity with CWEs, CVEs, and secure development lifecycle practices.
• Experience with LLMs, retrieval-augmented generation, memory systems, or AI-assisted developer tooling.
• Experience supporting government, defense, or mission-critical software environments.

Eligibility

U.S. citizenship is required. This role supports secure software work for government and mission-critical environments and may involve export-controlled technical data. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

Compensation and Equity

Base salary range is $120,000 to $210,000 per year, with level and placement in the range determined by software engineering depth, C/C++ and vulnerability expertise, Python and analysis skill, and experience with compilers, program analysis, or legacy modernization. As an early hire, you will also receive meaningful equity. We will work with strong candidates to structure a competitive overall package.

Equal Opportunity

Canvass Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Pay: $120,000.00 - $220,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Canvass Labs currently supports U.S. Government and defense-related programs. As a result, applicants must be U.S. citizens authorized to work in the United States. Candidates who are eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance are strongly preferred. Are you a U.S. citizen authorized to work in the United States and potentially eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance?

Work Location: Remote