What It's Like to Be a Software Engineer at Hugging Face
As a software engineer at Hugging Face, you'll be at the heart of the open-source AI community. You'll be building the tools and platforms that are used by millions of developers and researchers around the world to build and share their own AI models. You'll be working on one of Hugging Face's core open-source libraries, such as Transformers, Datasets, or Gradio. The engineering culture at Hugging Face is deeply rooted in open source, and you'll be expected to be an active participant in the community. The tech stack is primarily Python, with some teams using other languages like Rust and JavaScript. They are also heavy users of their own products, so you'll get to experience the full Hugging Face ecosystem firsthand.
Day-to-day, you can expect to work in a remote-first, asynchronous environment. You'll be working with a distributed team of engineers from around the world, and you'll be expected to be a strong written communicator. Hugging Face has a strong set of values that guide their work, and they are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community.
Salary & Compensation
Hugging Face offers competitive salaries and benefits, with a focus on creating a great work-life balance. Here's a general breakdown of what you can expect for a software engineering role in New York:
| Level | Base Salary | Total Comp (incl. equity) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry (L1-L2) | $120K–$160K | $150K–$220K |
| Mid (L3-L4) | $160K–$220K | $220K–$320K |
| Senior (L5+) | $220K–$280K | $320K–$400K+ |
Interview Process
The interview process at Hugging Face is designed to be a two-way street, giving you a chance to get to know the team and the company. It typically consists of 3-4 rounds:
- Recruiter Screen — A 30-minute call with a recruiter to discuss your background and interest in the role.
- Take-Home Assignment — A take-home assignment that is relevant to the work you'd be doing at Hugging Face.
- Onsite/Virtual Loop — A series of 2-3 interviews with engineers and managers. This will include a mix of coding, system design, and behavioral questions.
How to Stand Out
- Show your passion for open source. Hugging Face is an open-source company, and they want to see that you're excited about their mission.
- Demonstrate your expertise in one of Hugging Face's core libraries. Whether it's Transformers, Datasets, or Gradio, show that you have a deep understanding of one of their products.
- Be a great written communicator. Hugging Face is a remote-first company, so they're looking for people who can communicate effectively in writing.
- Show that you're a lifelong learner. Hugging Face is a company that is constantly learning and growing, and they want to see that you are too.