Software Engineer I

A client with Kforce is seeking a Software Engineer I to join their Tax Engineering team in San Diego, CA.

Summary:

We are looking for a strong, adaptable software engineer who ramps up quickly in new tech stacks, including proprietary and legacy systems, and who builds with AI and agentic development tools as a matter of course. Experience in tax, or a genuine interest in it, is what sets a candidate apart. You will help shape what tax engineering looks like at the client's going forward.

Responsibilities:

• Design, build and ship backend and full-stack software across a range of tax products and platforms, including proprietary calculation and interview systems alongside modern services
• Learn new tech stacks and codebases quickly and contribute in any of them as needed
• Use AI and agentic tools throughout development, and help define how the team builds with them
• Build tooling and automation that multiplies the team's output, such as code generation, migration, testing and quality checks
• Turn tax rules and agency guidance into accurate calculations and customer experiences
• Help modernize and migrate existing tax systems into newer platforms
• Partner with tax experts, product managers and engineers across the client to deliver against agency and release deadlines, including production support during filing season
• BS in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Comfortable working in multiple languages and tech stacks, with a record of ramping up fast in unfamiliar codebases
• Day-to-day experience with AI coding agents (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, Codex), including building or customizing tooling around them
• Strong engineering fundamentals: system design, testing, debugging and code review
• Comfort with ambiguity and hard deadlines
• Clear written and verbal communication

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in tax, accounting or financial software, or a clear tax interest you've acted on (preparing returns, VITA volunteering, accounting coursework, EA/CPA progress); Candidates with this background will be prioritized
• Familiarity with income tax
• Experience building systems that turn complex rules or regulations into software

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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