Software Engineer - Product - Innovation Lab

WHO WE ARE

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to a fair and just marketplace for consumers. Our team is made up of truth tellers, change agents, and consumer advocates who investigate and build coalitions to fight for fairness and justice in the marketplace for consumers. We leverage our evidence-based approach to demand safer products, a healthier environment, and equitable services for everyone. 

Our mission starts with you. We offer medical benefits that start on your first day as a CR employee that include behavioral health coverage, family planning and a generous 401K match. Learn more about how CR advocates on behalf of our employees.

OVERVIEW

We’re looking for a mission-oriented Software Engineer to join our Innovation Lab’s Product R&D team: a fast-moving, cross-functional group focused on building AskCR. 

AskCR is a pro-consumer, expert-backed AI that offers advice using CR’s trusted information. We are one of the only AI-powered experiences backed by over 100 human experts, and incentivized to deliver on a pro-consumer mission.

As a software engineer on the AskCR team, you’ll be building a modern CR experience that elevates CR’s award-winning content and testing with the power of Language Models (LLMs). You’ll be part of a nimble, impact-oriented team working on the frontier of ethical AI, helping everyday people make smarter decisions, whether they’re buying a car, choosing a data plan, or navigating digital privacy.

This is a remote position. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

How You'll Make An Impact

As a core contributor to AskCR, you’ll help us deliver AI-powered tools that earn user trust, solve real problems, and live up to CR’s mission. You will:

• Build and evolve AskCR, our pro-consumer expert-driven AI, ensuring smooth, intuitive, cross-platform performance across web and mobile.
• Partner with designers, product managers, and fellow engineers to dream up user-centric features that feel magical but are grounded in real need.
• Write clean, modular, and maintainable React and React Native code that brings the AskCR experience to life across mobile and web frontends.
• Design and implement high-performance APIs using Python, FastAPI, and modern backend best practices.
• Experiment with LLMs to fine-tune prompts, test new capabilities, and continuously improve generative outputs.
• Stay plugged into the evolving AI ecosystem; bringing in fresh ideas and tools that keep us ahead of the curve.
• Model and advocate for responsible AI development, including best-in-class trust, safety & security features.

ABOUT YOU

You’ll Be Highly Rated If:

• You have the degree. You've earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• You have the experience. 5+ years of hands-on software engineering experience, including strong backend skills in Python and familiarity with frameworks like FastAPI.
• You have real-world experience building with AI and leveraging foundation models; passion for keeping up with the ever evolving AI landscape.
• You have a solid grasp of cloud infrastructure, Docker/Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines.
• You are a clear and effective communicator, with the ability to translate technical concepts so that they can be understood by peers in product, design, and editorial.

You'll Be One of Our Top Picks If:

• You have experience with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) frameworks and chatbot architectures.
• You've developed consumer-facing applications, particularly those incorporating AI-driven user experiences.
• You know mobile app development or have experience with React, React Native
• You have familiarity with ethical AI practices, trust & safety, data privacy considerations, and/or compliance standards.
• You have shipped consumer-facing products—especially ones powered by intelligent or conversational interfaces.
• You bring a strong interest in ethical AI and responsible development.

FAIR PAY AND A JUST WORKPLACE

At Consumer Reports, we are committed to fair, transparent pay and we strive to provide competitive, market-informed compensation informed by location, as well as the candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. It is expected that most qualified candidates will fall near the middle of the posted salary range. We have three locations: Yonkers, NY, Washington, DC and Colchester, CT.

Salary ranges

• NY/California: $140K-$160K annually
• DMW/Massachusetts: $135K-$155K annually
• Colchester, CT and additional approved CR locations: $115K-$135K annually

Consumer Reports is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions or lactation), gender identity and expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service or veteran status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, disability, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.  Consumer Reports will provide you with any reasonable assistance or accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.