> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2850402-founding-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2850402-founding-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Founding Engineer - **Company:** AI Powered LLC - **Location:** San Francisco, CA, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $170,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Apple Watch, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Software Debugging, Mobile Application Software, Python (Programming Language), PostgreSQL, Node.Js, Next.js, Prompt Engineering, Backend, React Native, Front End Software Development - **Published:** September 11, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.thejobnetwork.com/job/858418c6-3eea-4a8c-a20f-cfdb56e5c06c/founding-engineer-potential-cto ## About the Role Dealbreakers: * Production experience shipping and operating Claude or other frontier models, including prompts, tool use, and evaluation. * Ability and willingness to work in-person in New York, San Francisco, or Montreal. * 3+ years in mobile/full-stack engineering with proven 0*1 consumer mobile app delivery to real users. Required: * Deep fluency in React Native with full ownership of the mobile lifecycle (build, release, debug, monitor, iterate). * Experience with AI-native infrastructure where AI is integrated across layers, not bolted on. * Backend development experience in Node.js or Python with PostgreSQL and modern infra (Vercel, Fly, Render, or similar). * Ability to move across the stack - frontend, backend, infra, AI - with minimal handholding. * Experience with HealthKit, wearable APIs, or biosignal data (HRV, PPG, motion) in real time. * Founder mindset with prior first-engineer or early-stage startup experience and comfort making hard tradeoffs. Nice to Have: * Experience building AI-powered testing or evaluation pipelines. * Background or deep interest in nervous system science, somatics, neuroscience, or trauma research. * Prior experience as the first engineer at a startup. ## Description A well-funded early-stage healthtech startup focused on AI-powered nervous system training and biofeedback therapy is seeking a Founding Engineer with the potential to grow into the CTO role. You will be the second technical voice at the company, owning the full technical direction and turning a bold product vision into a production-quality AI mobile experience. This is a foundational, high-ownership role central to the company's trajectory for the next decade. The product is a science-backed, AI-guided coaching platform that uses biosignals (HRV, breath, motion, PPG) to help users with chronic conditions repair their autonomic nervous system - no wearable required. You'll architect and ship the first end-to-end AI experience, define the engineering culture, and set the stack that scales with the company. What You'll Do * Own technical direction and execution as the founding engineer, acting as a true technical co-founder. * Ship the AI coaching product v1 end-to-end - from React Native app to frontier model inference and wearable integrations. * Architect and build an AI nervous system training coach, including model design, prompt engineering, tool use, and evaluation pipelines. * Translate biosignals (HRV, breath, motion, PPG) into a real-time, personalized coaching layer. * Build AI-powered QA and testing pipelines to enable safe, fast daily shipping. * Own full-stack decisions across frontend, backend, infrastructure, and AI-native layers. * Integrate iOS/HealthKit and wearable platforms (Apple Watch, Oura, Whoop, EEG headbands). * Collaborate closely with the founding team on-site. ## Related Videos - [Stop using Node.js like in 2020! 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