**The big picture:** Forage, a fintech startup specializing in EBT payment processing, is hiring a Founding Product Engineer to develop new financial tools for low-income Americans. **Why it matters:** This role highlights a growing trend of tech companies focusing on financial inclusion, creating new opportunities for specialized engineering talent and impacting the economic well-being of a significant demographic. **Between the lines:** - Forage processes SNAP EBT payments for major retailers like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Albertsons. - The new financial products aim to help consumers save money, earn income, build credit, and manage finances. - The role requires an entrepreneurial engineer to build products from conception to production in a regulated environment. **Staffing & HR impact:** The demand for engineers with a product mindset and experience in regulated fintech environments is increasing, potentially driving up talent acquisition costs for specialized roles. Companies in this space must balance rapid innovation with stringent compliance requirements. **The bottom line:** Forage's expansion into consumer financial products signals a strategic move to deepen its impact on financial accessibility, creating a new frontier for fintech innovation.

**The big picture:** Fintech startup Forage is hiring new graduate software engineers for hybrid roles in San Francisco and New York, offering competitive salaries and benefits. **Why it matters:** This hiring push highlights continued demand for entry-level tech talent and a direct-sourcing strategy that bypasses external recruitment agencies. **Between the lines:** - Forage offers a base salary range of $125k-$145k USD, plus equity and benefits. - The company explicitly states it will not engage with third-party recruiters or agencies for this role. - Applicants must have US work authorization, as visa sponsorship is not provided. **Staffing & HR impact:** The direct hiring approach impacts recruiter mobility and gross margins for staffing firms, signaling a trend where some companies prefer in-house talent acquisition for specific roles. HR teams must manage direct sourcing and E-Verify compliance. **The bottom line:** Companies are increasingly insourcing entry-level tech recruitment, challenging traditional staffing models.