Software Engineer - Context and Semantics (AI)

We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

As a Software Development Engineer in Context and Semantics, you will be a core backend builder helping to develop the data and context infrastructure powering Workday’s AI Agents. Working alongside senior engineers and technical leads, you will write clean, scalable code that connects large language models to complex enterprise data stores.

In this role, you will implement components for advanced RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) pipelines, integrate vector databases, and help build query federation services (e.g., Trino/LDQ) that route requests between transactional and analytical systems. We are looking for an energetic, curious, and detail-oriented backend software engineer who is eager to solve complex data challenges and build cutting-edge AI platform features at scale.

Responsibilities:

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or an equivalent technical field.

• Solid foundation in computer science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, distributed systems concepts, and API design (REST/gRPC).

• Familiarity with SQL, relational databases, or distributed data processing engines (e.g., Trino, Presto, Spark).

• Understanding of modern cloud infrastructure (AWS or GCP) and CI/CD development workflows.

• Fast learner with strong problem-solving skills and a passion for staying up-to-date with emerging AI technologies.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a team-first, collaborative mindset.

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below.  Workday pay ranges vary based on work location. As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things. For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits, please click here.

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