Purchasing Platform→

Apprentice, Software Engineering at Purchasing Platform in Chicago, IL

Entry LevelHybridPart-timeChicago, IL$62k–$73k/yr

Skills

rubyjavascripttypescriptanthropic claudeopenailangchainrest apiswebhookszapiermakepostgresqlsupabaseredisgitgithub actionsvs codeslacknotionlinear

Job Description

We’re transforming property tech!

Purchasing Platform Inc. is a next generation marketplace serving the property management sector. Leveraging our market knowledge and tech savvy, we revolutionize the procurement of products and services across the property management sector. By centralizing procurement, our software brings stronger corporate controls and greater spend visibility to portfolio operators of all sizes.

About the Role

We're looking for a Software Engineering Apprentice to help us build, integrate, and ship AI-powered features on top of our existing product. You'll work directly with our engineering team in Ruby and JavaScript/TypeScript, writing real code in our production stack from day one — not toy projects or sandboxed exercises.

A core part of this role is using AI tools to replace fragile, manual processes with scalable automation — connecting systems across Sales, Operations, and Product so that our team spends less time on repetitive work and more time on things that matter.

We are not looking for someone who will manage the status quo. We want someone who ships, iterates, and actively looks for the next thing to improve.

Apprenticeship Details

Job Title: Software Engineering Apprentice

Type: Part-Time (20 hrs/week)

Location: Hybrid in Chicago, IL (1-2 days in office per week)

Compensation: Paid

Length of Apprenticeship: 6-months

Estimated Start Date: June 1, 2026

This is a paid, part-time role (20 hrs/week) with a genuine path to full-time employment for the right person. You will be expected to roll up your sleeves, ask good questions, and take ownership of your work from day one.

About the Role

We are not looking for someone who will manage the status quo. We want someone who ships, iterates, and actively looks for the next thing to improve.

Apprenticeship Details

Job Title: Software Engineering Apprentice

Type: Part-Time (20 hrs/week)

Location: Hybrid in Chicago, IL (1-2 days in office per week)

Compensation: Paid

Length of Apprenticeship: 6-months

Estimated Start Date: June 1, 2026

We’re looking for a with a proven track record of . If this role is going to be remote, add this: While our cultural hub is in Chicago, this role can be remote.

What you’ll be doing

Key Responsibilities

Software Development

Write clean, well-tested code in Ruby and JavaScript/TypeScript alongside our engineering team
Build and ship product features end-to-end — from scoping and implementation through deployment and monitoring
Contribute to code reviews, technical discussions, and engineering best practices
Debug and improve existing systems, reducing technical debt and fragile manual workarounds

AI Integration & Automation

Build AI-powered features and workflows using LLM APIs (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.) in our existing stack
Connect internal and third-party tools via APIs and integrations (CRMs, project trackers, databases)
Partner cross-functionally with Sales, Ops, and Product to identify and automate high-impact manual processes
Document integration patterns, experiments, and results clearly for the wider team

What You'll Own

Features shipped per quarter — measured by test coverage and production stability
Reduction in manual processing time across workflows you automate — tracked against a defined roadmap
Quality of code contributions: well-documented, reviewed, and built with the next engineer in mind
Breadth and reliability of integrations built and maintained

What Success Looks Like Over the Next 6 Months

Within the first 30 days, you will have a working understanding of our codebase and stack, have shipped your first pull request to production, and identified at least one automation opportunity to bring to your manager.

By month three, you are contributing independently to feature work in Ruby and JavaScript/TypeScript, have shipped at least one AI-powered integration, and engineering trusts you to own a slice of the product.

By month six, you are being seriously evaluated for a full-time offer. Multiple workflows have been meaningfully automated, your code is stable and well-reviewed, and the team sees you as a reliable contributor across the stack.

What you'll bring to the role

What We’re Looking For

Experience & Qualifications

Working knowledge of Ruby or JavaScript/TypeScript — you've built something real with at least one of them
Familiarity with web development fundamentals: REST APIs, databases, version control with Git
Hands-on experience with at least one LLM API or AI framework — you've integrated AI into a project
Genuine curiosity about applied AI — you follow the space and have opinions about what's useful
Strong communicator — you can explain what you built, why it matters, and what comes next
High ownership mindset — you surface issues proactively and follow through without being chased

Tools We Use

Languages: Ruby, JavaScript / TypeScript
AI APIs & frameworks: Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, LangChain
Automation & integrations: REST APIs, webhooks, Zapier, Make (Integromat)
Data: PostgreSQL, Supabase, Redis
Dev tooling: Git / GitHub, VS Code, CI/CD via GitHub Actions
Collaboration: Slack, Notion, Linear — you'll be connecting AI to these too

#LI-Remote

#BI-Remote

Join Our Team: Perks, Benefits, and Culture

At Purchasing Platform, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be part of something bigger. Our comprehensive benefits package and vibrant culture are designed to support your health, well-being, and career growth. Here's what full-time team members can look forward to when joining our team:

Competitive Compensation & Benefits

Health & Wellness: Choose from a variety of health plans tailored to meet your needs. Plus, enjoy a $75/month wellness perk to support your fitness and mental health.

Financial Security: Plan for the future with our 401(k) plan, featuring a company match. We also provide a $75/month remote work expense reimbursement to cover your cell phone or internet costs.

Work-Life Balance: With a minimum of 30 days of paid time off each year, including PTO, holidays, and a winter break, you'll have the time you need to relax and recharge.

Parental Leave: We support new parents with 6 weeks of paid leave, ensuring you have the time to bond with your little one.

Hybrid Work Model: Our team enjoys the flexibility of a hybrid work model. Join us in-office each Tuesday for our All Hands meeting and collaboration sessions. On other days, choose where you work best, whether from home or our office. We also offer a commuter expense reimbursement perk to make your in-office days easier.

Our Cultural Hub: Located in the heart of downtown Chicago at 444 N Wells St. Ste 502, our office is more than just a workspace—it's a hub where creativity and collaboration thrive.

Our Core Values

Bring Joy: We believe in making every day enjoyable for our team and our customers.

Value People: Every team member is respected, heard, and valued.

Make an Impact: We're driven to make a positive difference in everything we do.

Keep It Simple: Efficiency and clarity guide our processes and decisions.

Always Be Curious: Continuous learning and innovation are at the heart of our culture.

Commitment to Equality

We are proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, or disability. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.