Apprentice, Software Engineering

Job Description

Job Description

We’re transforming property tech! 

Purchasing Platform Inc. is a next generation marketplace serving the property management sector. Leveraging our market knowledge and tech savvy, we revolutionize the procurement of products and services across the property management sector. By centralizing procurement, our software brings stronger corporate controls and greater spend visibility to portfolio operators of all sizes.

About the Role

We're looking for a Software Engineering Apprentice to help us build, integrate, and ship AI-powered features on top of our existing product. You'll work directly with our engineering team in Ruby and JavaScript/TypeScript, writing real code in our production stack from day one — not toy projects or sandboxed exercises.

A core part of this role is using AI tools to replace fragile, manual processes with scalable automation — connecting systems across Sales, Operations, and Product so that our team spends less time on repetitive work and more time on things that matter.

We are not looking for someone who will manage the status quo. We want someone who ships, iterates, and actively looks for the next thing to improve.

Apprenticeship Details

Job Title: Software Engineering Apprentice  

Type: Part-Time (20 hrs/week)    

Location: Hybrid in Chicago, IL (1-2 days in office per week)

Compensation: Paid

Length of Apprenticeship: 6-months

Estimated Start Date: June 1, 2026

 

This is a paid, part-time role (20 hrs/week) with a genuine path to full-time employment for the right person. You will be expected to roll up your sleeves, ask good questions, and take ownership of your work from day one.

What you’ll be doing

Key Responsibilities

Software Development

• Write clean, well-tested code in Ruby and JavaScript/TypeScript alongside our engineering team
• Build and ship product features end-to-end — from scoping and implementation through deployment and monitoring
• Contribute to code reviews, technical discussions, and engineering best practices
• Debug and improve existing systems, reducing technical debt and fragile manual workarounds

AI Integration & Automation

• Build AI-powered features and workflows using LLM APIs (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.) in our existing stack
• Connect internal and third-party tools via APIs and integrations (CRMs, project trackers, databases)
• Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Ops, and Product to identify and automate high-impact manual processes
• Document integration patterns, experiments, and results clearly for the wider team

What You'll Own

• Features shipped per quarter — measured by test coverage and production stability
• Reduction in manual processing time across workflows you automate — tracked against a defined roadmap
• Quality of code contributions: well-documented, reviewed, and built with the next engineer in mind
• Breadth and reliability of integrations built and maintained

What Success Looks Like Over the Next 6 Months

Within the first 30 days, you will have a working understanding of our codebase and stack, have shipped your first pull request to production, and identified at least one automation opportunity to bring to your manager.

 

By month three, you are contributing independently to feature work in Ruby and JavaScript/TypeScript, have shipped at least one AI-powered integration, and engineering trusts you to own a slice of the product.

 

By month six, you are being seriously evaluated for a full-time offer. Multiple workflows have been meaningfully automated, your code is stable and well-reviewed, and the team sees you as a reliable contributor across the stack.

What you'll bring to the role

What We’re Looking For

Experience & Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Ruby or JavaScript/TypeScript — you've built something real with at least one of them
• Familiarity with web development fundamentals: REST APIs, databases, version control with Git
• Hands-on experience with at least one LLM API or AI framework — you've integrated AI into a project
• Genuine curiosity about applied AI — you follow the space and have opinions about what's useful
• Strong communicator — you can explain what you built, why it matters, and what comes next
• High ownership mindset — you surface issues proactively and follow through without being chased

Tools We Use

• Languages: Ruby, JavaScript / TypeScript
• AI APIs & frameworks: Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, LangChain
• Automation & integrations: REST APIs, webhooks, Zapier, Make (Integromat)
• Data: PostgreSQL, Supabase, Redis
• Dev tooling: Git / GitHub, VS Code, CI/CD via GitHub Actions
• Collaboration: Slack, Notion, Linear — you'll be connecting AI to these too

What You'll Get

• Competitive hourly pay — this is a paid apprenticeship
• Direct mentorship from engineers working across our full product stack
• Real ownership of features and automations that ship to production
• A portfolio of shipped code and live integrations you can point to
• A defined path to a full-time Software Engineer role

#LI-Remote

#BI-Remote

Join Our Team: Perks, Benefits, and Culture

At Purchasing Platform, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be part of something bigger. Our comprehensive benefits package and vibrant culture are designed to support your health, well-being, and career growth. Here's what full-time team members can look forward to when joining our team:

Competitive Compensation & Benefits

Health & Wellness: Choose from a variety of health plans tailored to meet your needs. Plus, enjoy a $75/month wellness perk to support your fitness and mental health.

Financial Security: Plan for the future with our 401(k) plan, featuring a company match. We also provide a $75/month remote work expense reimbursement to cover your cell phone or internet costs.

Work-Life Balance: With a minimum of 30 days of paid time off each year, including PTO, holidays, and a winter break, you'll have the time you need to relax and recharge.

Parental Leave: We support new parents with 6 weeks of paid leave, ensuring you have the time to bond with your little one.

Hybrid Work Model: Our team enjoys the flexibility of a hybrid work model. Join us in-office each Tuesday for our All Hands meeting and collaboration sessions. On other days, choose where you work best, whether from home or our office. We also offer a commuter expense reimbursement perk to make your in-office days easier.

Our Cultural Hub: Located in the heart of downtown Chicago at 444 N Wells St. Ste 502, our office is more than just a workspace—it's a hub where creativity and collaboration thrive.

Our Core Values

Bring Joy: We believe in making every day enjoyable for our team and our customers.

Value People: Every team member is respected, heard, and valued.

Make an Impact: We're driven to make a positive difference in everything we do.

Keep It Simple: Efficiency and clarity guide our processes and decisions.

Always Be Curious: Continuous learning and innovation are at the heart of our culture.

Commitment to Equality

We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.