Full-Time
Senior Software Engineer
Backend
Posted on 10/31/2025
Optimal Dynamics
51-200 employees
AI-based decision automation for logistics
Compensation Overview
$160k - $180k/yr
Remote in USA
Remote
 Software Engineering (1) |
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- BSc or MSc degree in Computer Science or equivalent technical experience
- Strong proficiency in Python 3 and practical experience with Django
- Hands-on experience with major cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure
- Deep understanding of distributed systems
- Expertise in relational databases, including Postgres, MySQL, SQL Server, or similar
- Hands-on data and software engineering experience designing, building, and maintaining data infrastructure, frameworks, pipelines, and tools for sophisticated domain models
- Work with Product Managers, Data Scientists and other Software Engineers, to design, develop, improve and extend our domain models, data infrastructure, data frameworks, data pipelines, and data tools
- Interact with customers and technology partners to understand their data models, and devise and implement automated solutions to ingest their data into Optimal Dynamics domain models
- Lead by example to improve the quality, efficiency, cost, scalability, stability, and security of all the sub-components and subsystems of the Optimal Dynamics data platform
- Embrace the dynamic startup environment—wear multiple hats, tackle new challenges, and contribute wherever needed to fuel our growth
- Experience with transportation systems (e.g., TMS, ELD) or scientific/analytics applications is a significant advantage
- Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform
- Experience with Apache Kafka for building scalable, event-driven architectures
- Experience with Apache Airflow for managing and orchestrating data workflows
- Familiarity with modern data tools such as dbt and DuckDB is highly valued
- Experience with monorepo management tools (e.g., Bazel, Buck) is a plus
Optimal Dynamics provides an AI-powered decision automation platform for the logistics and transportation sector. Its CORE.ai system unifies strategic, tactical, and real-time planning to optimize routing, warehousing, returns, load management, dispatch, bid analysis, and network simulation in one platform. The solution analyzes end-to-end data and automates decisions across planning horizons, enabling dynamic adjustments as conditions change. The goal is to help logistics companies improve efficiency, cut costs, and automate operational decisions.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Late Stage VC
Total Funding
$88.7M
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
2017
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- $40M Series C from Koch Disruptive Technologies fuels platform expansion in 2025.
- Canadian entry via Challenger Motor Freight partnership drives cross-border growth.
- Jake Dettmer's appointment accelerates fleet automation roadmap per 2026 conference.
What critics are saying
- Uber Freight's in-house AI captures carriers within 6-12 months.
- FourKites' agentic tool steals customers via superior shipper data in 12-18 months.
- Project44's Loadsmart acquisition integrates visibility, eroding mid-market share in 12-24 months.
What makes Optimal Dynamics unique
- Scale deploys decision-native agentic system proactively balancing carrier networks.
- CORE.ai unifies Princeton-derived optimization for strategic and real-time planning.
- Autonomous agents negotiate freight across load boards and EDI unlike reactive tools.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
Commuter Benefits
Fitness Membership Reimbursement
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 2%1 year growth
↑ 4%2 year growth
↑ 1%Optimal Dynamics has launched Scale, what it calls the first Decision-Native Agentic System for freight transport. The system combines optimization intelligence with autonomous agents to secure freight that balances carrier networks whilst driving profitability. Unlike reactive tools, Scale continuously analyses a carrier's network to identify capacity constraints and imbalances, then deploys autonomous agents to search, negotiate and procure freight across load boards, shipper channels and EDI systems. The platform aims to help carriers avoid costly deadhead movements and make strategic decisions about which freight to accept. The New York-based company, backed by Koch Disruptive Technologies, Bessemer Venture Partners and others, developed the technology from over 40 years of research originating at Princeton University. Scale completes Optimal Dynamics' Transportation Decision System portfolio.
Optimal Dynamics launches Scale, the first Decision-Native Agentic System(TM) built to proactively secure the right freight. Scale continuously determines where freight is needed to balance carrier networks and deploys intelligent autonomous agents to secure it in real time. NEW YORK, March 2, 2026 (Newswire.com) - Optimal Dynamics, the pioneer of Transportation Decision Systems (TDS), today announced the launch of Scale, the industry's first Decision-Native Agentic System(TM)(DNAS), a new class of software that unifies optimization intelligence and autonomous agents to drive profitable growth, network balance, and high service levels. Unlike traditional agentic tools that react to individual requests or operate in isolation, Scale is built around a decision optimization engine that continuously understands a carrier's network. It identifies where capacity is constrained, where imbalance is developing, and where additional freight is proactively needed to improve utilization, service, and profitability. From that foundation, Scale deploys an always-on, autonomous agentic workforce that operates continuously on a customer's behalf. It searches, negotiates, bids, and procures freight across load boards, direct shipper channels, email, and EDI, aggregating opportunities across multiple sources into a single execution layer. This decision-native foundation determines which freight should be secured, from where, and when it should move, to keep the network balanced and ensure every action directly supports the network's strategic needs. "As a carrier, the hardest part isn't finding freight, it's knowing which freight actually improves your network," said Karen Smerchek, President at Veriha Trucking. "With Scale, we expect to move from reactive decision-making to a system that continuously tells us where freight is needed ahead of time, and then works the market to secure it. Shifting towards proactive, network-aware procurement will help us stay balanced and profitable as conditions change." Breaking the "Accept Everything" Trap "In today's market, the pressure to accept more freight is intense, but accepting the wrong freight creates downstream problems," said Daniel Powell, CEO of Optimal Dynamics. "Carriers don't just need automation; they need a system that understands their network and proactively works to improve it. Scale makes smarter decisions earlier in the order lifecycle, where imbalance and profit erosion often begin." Traditional freight procurement relies on manual effort, gut feel, or reactive tools that treat each load as a standalone decision. Scale replaces this approach with a shared decision system that continuously aligns revenue growth with utilization, service performance, and profitability. By proactively identifying where freight is needed, and autonomously working the market to secure it, Scale helps carriers avoid costly deadhead, protect service commitments, and grow profitably. Optimization Decides. Agents Act. While conventional agents follow learned patterns or scripted workflows, Scale is decision-native by design. Optimal Dynamics' core optimization engine continuously evaluates opportunities across the entire network. In parallel, the Atlas agentic layer executes the necessary actions by sourcing, negotiating, or declining freight autonomously and at scale. This tight coupling of decision intelligence and execution ensures that Scale's agents are not just fast, but intentional, coordinated, and operationally sound. "What excites us most about Scale is the idea of an always-on agentic workforce that's working for us across load boards, direct channels, and inbound requests at the same time," said Michael McGovern, Chief Operating Officer at Leonard's Express. "Instead of our team chasing opportunities manually, we expect Scale's agents to aggregate freight from many places, act autonomously, and secure the loads that align with our network strategy without us having to intervene on every decision." With the launch of Scale, Optimal Dynamics completes the third and most critical component of the industry's first comprehensive Transportation Decision System (TDS). Together, these components form a decision-native architecture that bridges the gap between optimization and execution by delivering real-time actions that keep carrier networks balanced and profitable. Optimal Dynamics will showcase Scale live at the TCA Annual Convention in Orlando. Attendees are invited to visit Booth #409 to see the Decision-Native Agentic System (DNAS)(TM) in action and learn how proactive, autonomous freight procurement can transform network performance. To request a personalized demo, visit www.optimaldynamics.com. About Optimal Dynamics Optimal Dynamics, the pioneer of Transportation Decision Systems (TDS), provides the decision intelligence layer that powers logistics transformation. Built on more than 40 years of research originating at Princeton University, Optimal Dynamics uses a proprietary decision-native architecture to automate, optimize, and scale trucking and transportation operations. Headquartered in New York City, the company is backed by Koch Disruptive Technologies, Bessemer Venture Partners, The Westly Group, and Activate Capital. Learn more at www.optimaldynamics.com.
Optimal Dynamics, a provider of artificial decision intelligence for transportation, has appointed Jake Dettmer as senior vice president of product. Dettmer brings over 15 years of experience in transportation technology, having advised six of the top 25 freight brokers and held executive product roles at major carriers including Highway and C.H. Robinson. In his new role, Dettmer will lead product strategy as the New York-based company expands its platform for automating logistics decisions. The appointment was announced during Optimal Dynamics' 2026 User Conference, where Dettmer presented the company's product roadmap, including a forthcoming product line for fleet operations automation. Optimal Dynamics, backed by Koch Disruptive Technologies, Bessemer Venture Partners and others, uses AI technology developed from Princeton University research.
Optimal Dynamics enters Canadian market through strategic partnership with Challenger Motor Freight. Decision Automation Platform Will Support Cross-Border and Intra-Canadian Carriers to Drive Revenue and Operational Efficiency NEW YORK, December 3, 2025 (Newswire.com) - Optimal Dynamics, the leader in Artificial Decision Intelligence for the transportation industry, today announced its first expansion into the Canadian market, driven by a strategic partnership with Challenger Motor Freight, part of the Fastfrate Group and one of North America's largest privately owned transportation and logistics companies. This move comes in direct response to surging demand from Canadian fleets seeking advanced technology to navigate today's complex freight environment. Optimal Dynamics is expanding its Decision Automation Platform to meet the unique requirements of intra-Canadian and cross-border operations, enabling Canadian carriers to realize the same transformative results, including increased revenue per truck, asset utilization, and planning team efficiency, that the company is known for across the U.S. Unlocking Automation for a Canadian Titan Recognized for its leadership in operational and technological innovation, Challenger Motor Freight partnered with Optimal Dynamics to advance its strategic goals and embrace the next era of automation. Optimal Dynamics is working closely with the Challenger team to ensure compliance with unique Canadian regulations, including HOS rules, specific driver parameters, border-crossing location requirements, and more. Challenger is leveraging the power of decision automation to focus on several key areas: * Automating optimized load acceptance and dispatch decisions * Sourcing high-quality freight and improving customer service rep (CSR) workflows * Freeing up planning team members to focus on strategic, high-value work * Simulating "what-if" scenarios to guide better network-wide decisions "As one of North America's largest carriers, Challenger continues to lead the transportation industry by embracing AI-driven automation," said Zahi Mitri, VP of Innovation and Technology at Challenger Motor Freight. "We were seeking a partner capable of advancing our strategic goals and found our ideal fit in Optimal Dynamics. Together, we are unlocking new opportunities to optimize operations, enhance planning efficiency, and elevate service across the U.S. and Canada." Optimal Dynamics CEO Daniel Powell highlighted the strategic importance of the expansion. "The Canadian market presents a significant opportunity for carriers looking to use true automation to gain a competitive edge in a challenging environment," said Powell. "This partnership with Challenger Motor Freight is validation of our platform's ability to solve the most complex cross-border planning challenges. We are honored to support Challenger's continued drive for innovation, and we look forward to bringing this proven decision automation power to more fleets across Canada." Optimal Dynamics' Decision Automation Platform will be fully configured and available to help Canadian carriers transform operations, delivering a path to consistency, scalability, and enhanced profitability in 2026 and beyond. Carriers can request a customized demo of the platform and inquire about early access. From what started out as an LTL intermodal carrier, Fastfrate has grown into a diverse group of six companies operating out of 40 terminals and final-mile hubs across Canada and into the USA. Each company within Fastfrate Group has its story, its legacy, and its expertise. Now, under the umbrella of our collective network, these stories converge to form a powerhouse of end-to-end supply chain solutions. This evolution allows us to offer customers a full suite of asset-based transportation including intermodal LTL and TL, third-party logistics services, cross-border LTL and TL, drayage and transload, warehousing, distribution, and final-mile B2B and B2C. Please visit fastfrate.com for more information. About Optimal Dynamics Optimal Dynamics provides the decision intelligence layer that powers logistics transformation. Born out of 40 years of research at Princeton University, Optimal Dynamics leverages proprietary artificial intelligence technology to automate, optimize, and radically improve decision-making across trucking and transportation operations. Headquartered in New York City, Optimal Dynamics is backed by marquee investors including Koch Disruptive Technologies, Bessemer Venture Partners, The Westly Group, and Activate Capital. Learn more at www.optimaldynamics.com.
Optimal Dynamics appoints Jonathan Pollack as Chief Revenue Officer following Series C funding. News summary. Optimal Dynamics, a leader in Artificial Decision Intelligence for the transportation industry, has appointed Jonathan Pollack as its Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). This strategic move follows the company's recent Series C funding round aimed at accelerating the adoption of automated, intelligent freight decisions. Pollack, who has a proven track record in scaling high-growth technology companies, previously served as the Head of Revenue and Customer Success at industrial AI unicorn Augury. His role at Optimal Dynamics involves growing and optimizing revenue-generating functions as the company seeks to own the automated decision layer of logistics. The appointment aligns with Optimal Dynamics' commitment to transformative outcomes and comes as the company scales its platform to meet industry demand. Story coverage.