Solutions Engineer

<div class="content-intro"><div> <div class="standard-markdown grid-cols-1 grid [&amp;_>_*]:min-w-0 gap-3 !gap-3.5"> <h3 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">What We Do</span></h3> <pre><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Insurance is a $10T industry still running on PDFs, email threads, and manual reconciliation. Ascend is changing that. We built the first and only complete financial operations platform purpose-built for insurance — combining AI-powered accounting automation, payments, and premium financing in a single vertically integrated solution. In five years, we've become the market leader: over 4,000 businesses, including more than half of the 50 largest brokers in the country, trust Ascend to bring clarity to complex accounting operations — from collection to close.</span></pre> <h3 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">How We Do It</span></h3> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ascend automates the financial operations that insurers, MGAs, and agencies run every day — and embeds directly into the transactions where money actually moves.</span></p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">AI is driving the cost of software toward zero. The companies that win won't just sell tools — they'll capture value at the point of the transaction itself. Ascend is built for exactly that moment. Our customers don't just adopt software; they unlock measurable efficiency with a proven 5–7x return on investment.</span></p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our 70+ person team, based in San Francisco and Columbus, brings together deep expertise in insurance, fintech, and AI to build infrastructure the industry has never had.</span></p> <h3 class="text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Why We Do It</span></h3> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The insurance industry intermediates trillions of dollars — and almost none of that infrastructure was built for the modern era. Legacy systems aren't just inefficient; they're a ceiling on what the industry can become.</span></p> <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ascend's mission is to become the leading financial automation platform for insurance by 2030 — powering the financial operations of the entire industry and transforming the way trillions of dollars move. We're not building another point solution. We're building the financial backbone of insurance.</span></p> </div> </div> <div class="h-8">&nbsp;</div></div><h1><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Your Role</strong></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ascend is hiring a <strong>Solutions Engineer (Contract)</strong> to take full ownership of critical AI agentic workflows. You’ll shape how automation powers the insurance industry—improving accuracy, scalability, and customer experience at every step.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">You’ll dive deep into complex data problems, fine-tune prompts, and refine systems that power the automation layer behind Ascend’s financial infrastructure. This role is a mix of hands-on problem-solving, experimentation, and collaboration with Product, Operations, and Engineering teams to make our automation more reliable and intelligent.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This is a <strong>contract role</strong> based on-site at our San Francisco office, 40 hours per week for six months.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Responsibilities</strong></span></p> <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Own and optimize prompt logic</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Build, test, and refine prompts that power AI agents using prompt engineering and analytical problem-solving.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Design systems that enable scalable, high-accuracy iteration on prompt workflows.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Technical implementation &amp; tooling</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Partner with internal teams to improve testing, monitoring, and refinement processes.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Support new customer and organization onboarding through internal tooling improvements.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Provide feedback and insights to shape the broader product roadmap.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Customer &amp; stakeholder collaboration</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Work closely with internal and external users to gather context, troubleshoot challenges, and deliver consistent, high-quality results.</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Quality assurance &amp; reporting</strong></span></h3> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Track and analyze AI workflow accuracy metrics, uncovering trends and root causes.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Recommend process improvements to reduce manual work over time.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Build reusable playbooks and prompt strategies to support future automation efforts.</span></li> </ul> <h1><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Why This Role Matters</strong></span></h1> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This is a chance to own a critical piece of Ascend’s AI-powered automation systems and see your work directly impact product performance, customer satisfaction, and company growth.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">You’ll thrive here if you love solving tough technical problems, moving quickly, and building systems that scale intelligently. This role is perfect for someone who operates at the intersection of <strong>data, engineering, and product thinking</strong>—and takes pride in turning complexity into clarity.</span></p> <h1><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>What We’re Looking For</strong></span></h1> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with a track record of breaking down complex problems into actionable solutions.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Experience with prompt engineering, AI agents, or AI-powered automation workflows.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Proven ability to work with complex, real-world systems to identify patterns and improve reliability.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Bonus:</strong> Familiarity with large language models (LLMs) and their applications in automation or data systems.</span></li> </ul> <h1><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Contract Details</strong></span></h1> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Location:</strong> On-site in San Francisco (SoMa)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Compensation:</strong> $45 per hour (average working week 40 hours)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Type:</strong> Contract to hire as a full time software engineer (6 months)</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Benefits do not apply until contract positions are converted to full-time (not guaranteed).</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class="content-conclusion"><h3><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>All roles at Ascend are 5 days a week onsite at our beautiful office in SoMa!&nbsp;</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Benefits</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">100% health premiums covered for you and your dependents</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">401k with employer matching options</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A fast growing team with an emphasis on promoting from within 80% of all hires in the last 12 months have already been promoted!&nbsp;</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Unlimited PTO</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Company paid commuter benefits</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Parental and family leave</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Lunch everyday</span></li> <li style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dog-friendly office!</span></li> </ul> <h3><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><strong>Equal Opportunity</strong></span></h3> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We are committed to equal opportunity employment and embrace diversity within our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">We encourage candidates to apply even if their experience doesn't precisely match this opportunity. We value diversity and are dedicated to equal opportunity employment.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p></div>