Application Guide
How to Apply for Software Engineer
at VALIS
🏢 About VALIS
VALIS is an AI software company uniquely focused on enhancing recycling profitability and sustainability specifically within the metal fabrication circular economy. Unlike generic tech companies, their mission directly tackles industrial waste using computer vision and data analytics, offering engineers the chance to build software with tangible environmental impact. Working here means contributing to a sustainable future while solving complex technical problems at the intersection of hardware and software.
About This Role
This Software Engineer role involves building greenfield real-time computer vision systems from scratch and improving existing material sampling hardware with its web analytics platform at customer recycling facilities. You'll develop full-stack features, backend services, and infrastructure-as-code for web products that directly optimize recycling operations. The role is impactful because your code will be deployed at physical recycling facilities, directly influencing material recovery rates and sustainability metrics.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a remote stand-up discussing progress on a greenfield computer vision model, followed by coding backend services in TypeScript for the web analytics platform and testing integrations with material sampling hardware. You could spend the afternoon writing infrastructure-as-code on AWS, reviewing pull requests for full-stack features, and collaborating with teams on deploying updates to customer recycling facilities.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who VALIS Is Looking For
- Has 1-4 years experience with strong async programming fundamentals and can demonstrate practical Linux, networking, and basic electronics knowledge (e.g., interfacing software with hardware sensors).
- Hands-on experience with AWS cloud infrastructure and building web products using TypeScript and React, ideally in a full-stack capacity.
- Understands database fundamentals with PostgreSQL/SQL and can apply this to analytics platforms processing real-time sensor data.
- Is excited by VALIS's specific mission in metal recycling and comfortable with a remote-first setup that includes occasional travel to Worcester, MA HQ and customer facilities.
📝 Tips for Applying to VALIS
Tailor your resume to highlight specific projects involving real-time systems, computer vision, or hardware-software integration, as these are core to VALIS's R&D.
Explicitly mention any experience with metal fabrication, recycling, or industrial IoT in your application materials to show domain interest.
Prepare a portfolio or code samples demonstrating async programming in Python/TypeScript and infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) for AWS.
Research VALIS's technology stack from their public materials and describe how your skills in AWS, React, and PostgreSQL align with their web analytics platform.
Address your willingness for occasional travel to customer facilities and Worcester, MA in your cover letter or initial communications.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Express specific enthusiasm for VALIS's mission in metal recycling and the circular economy, not just generic AI or tech.", 'Detail a relevant project where you built or improved a real-time system, computer vision application, or hardware-integrated software.', 'Explain how your experience with AWS, TypeScript/React, and async programming prepares you for greenfield R&D and web product development at VALIS.', 'Mention your comfort with remote work and flexibility for occasional in-person collaboration and travel.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore the circular economy in metal fabrication and how AI can enhance recycling profitability—understand VALIS's specific niche.
- → Look for VALIS's public content (blog, news, social media) about their computer vision systems or customer deployments to discuss technically.
- → Research the company's tech stack hints and culture from employee reviews or profiles to tailor your application language.
- → Understand the challenges in industrial recycling facilities to better appreciate the impact of VALIS's web analytics platform.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application without mentioning VALIS's focus on metal recycling or computer vision for sustainability.
- Overemphasizing front-end skills without showcasing backend, async programming, or infrastructure experience crucial for this role.
- Failing to address the travel and occasional in-person work requirements, which are explicitly stated in the job description.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!