Function Health is hiring a Staff Software Engineer for a high-impact role at the intersection of healthcare, data, and AI-driven systems. This is not just another backend-heavy engineering position. It is a leadership role designed for someone who can actively shape how modern health technology platforms are built, scaled, and evolved.
At its core, Function Health is building what it calls an “AI operating system for health.” The company focuses on proactive, data-driven healthcare by combining biomarker testing, longitudinal health data, and machine intelligence to give users deeper insight into their bodies. With significant funding behind it and rapid user growth, the company is entering a phase where engineering quality, scalability, and system design will directly determine how far and how fast it can go.
This is where the Staff Software Engineer comes in.
The role blends hands-on engineering with technical leadership. You are not just writing code in isolation. You are expected to lead the design and development of large-scale systems while still contributing directly to implementation. The balance between strategy and execution is critical. You will guide architectural decisions, ensure systems are robust and scalable, and set the standard for engineering excellence across the team.
Job Overview
A major part of the role involves building systems that allow users to access and understand their health data in real time. This includes integrating multiple data sources such as diagnostics, wearable devices, and medical records into a unified platform. The challenge is not just ingestion, but making that data usable, secure, and insightful.
On the technical side, strong Python expertise is essential, along with experience working in cloud environments like AWS or Google Cloud and using containerization tools such as Docker. The systems you build must be resilient, scalable, and capable of handling large volumes of sensitive health data. A solid understanding of CI/CD, test-driven development, and modern engineering practices is expected.
Beyond core engineering, there is a strong emphasis on innovation. Function is actively exploring AI-powered health analysis tools, which means experience with machine learning systems or deploying AI models into production environments is a major advantage. You may be working on systems that generate personalized health insights, predictions, or recommendations based on complex datasets.
Collaboration is another key part of the role. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, bridging the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Clear communication, especially when explaining complex systems or trade-offs, is essential. This is a role where your ability to influence decisions is just as important as your ability to execute them.
The expectations are high. Candidates are typically expected to bring around 12 or more years of experience, including time spent in leadership roles within fast-moving or startup environments. You should be comfortable operating in ambiguity, making decisions quickly, and driving projects forward without heavy structure.
There are also several areas that can give candidates an edge. Experience in data engineering, building large-scale distributed systems, or working with health technology platforms will stand out. Familiarity with tools like React, React Native, Postgres, and GCP adds additional depth. Exposure to wearable health tech or biometric systems also aligns strongly with the company’s direction.
From a work culture perspective, Function emphasizes autonomy, speed, and innovation. Engineers are given ownership and the freedom to make meaningful decisions without micromanagement. The environment is collaborative but expects individuals to be proactive and self-driven.
Overall, this is a role designed for engineers who want to build systems that have a direct impact on people’s lives. It is less about maintaining existing tools and more about pushing the boundaries of what healthcare technology can do.
GizPulse Verdict
Who this is for: A highly experienced engineer with 10–12+ years in software development who thrives at the intersection of backend systems, data engineering, and AI. This role is ideal for someone strong in Python, comfortable with cloud infrastructure, and experienced in building large-scale, production-grade systems. Engineers who enjoy leading while still staying hands-on, and those interested in applying technology to real-world health outcomes, will find this especially compelling.
Who should pause: If you prefer clearly defined roles with minimal ambiguity or are not comfortable balancing leadership with hands-on execution, this role may feel demanding. The expectations around ownership, decision-making, and system-level thinking are high. Also, if healthcare, data-heavy systems, or AI-driven products are not areas of interest, this may not be the best fit.