Founding Engineer (AI/ML)
About the Role
This is a foundational engineering role at an early-stage AI-powered recruiting marketplace connecting top talent directly with venture-backed startups. As a Founding AI/ML Engineer, you will own the intelligence layer of the product — building recommendation systems, ranking algorithms, and LLM-powered matching that surfaces the right opportunities for candidates and employers alike.
You'll be working in a high-intensity, entrepreneurial environment (including a San Francisco hackerhouse setup) with a fast daily shipping cadence. This is a rare opportunity to have outsized impact and ownership at the ground floor of a venture-backed startup.
What You'll Do
- Build and own the AI/ML intelligence layer, including recommendation systems and ranking algorithms that drive candidate-role matching.
- Develop and iterate on LLM-powered features to improve alignment between candidates and open roles.
- Architect and maintain production-grade data pipelines and backend services integrated across the full stack.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product and business stakeholders to translate goals into shipped features.
- Deliver end-to-end features with full ownership, shipping to production on a daily cadence.
What We're Looking For
Required:
- Strong CS fundamentals with experience delivering end-to-end product features in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Proficiency with TypeScript and React in production-grade projects.
- Hands-on experience with Cursor, Supabase, Prisma, Typesense, LLM APIs, and trigger.dev.
- Track record of shipping to production daily with full feature ownership.
- Comfortable operating in scrappy, entrepreneurial, "hacky" environments.
- Open to working on-site in a San Francisco hackerhouse in a high-intensity (6-day) work schedule.
- Something outstanding about your profile — e.g. top academic results, impressive side projects, or an active GitHub.
Nice to Have:
- Prior experience at or building a startup from early stages.
- Experience with recruiting, HR tech, or marketplace products.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary: $130,000 – $170,000 USD per year
- Founding-level equity
- Visa sponsorship available
Location
This role is based on-site in San Francisco, CA. Candidates should be prepared to work from a hackerhouse setting in the Bay Area. Visa sponsorship is available for eligible candidates.