Founding Engineer

This is engineer number one. You’ll work directly with the founder on the most technically interesting problems in real-time AI interaction - from memory systems and latency optimization to voice and video interfaces that feel delightful at scale. The scope spans the full stack: backend infrastructure, ML model integration, frontend surfaces, and the content engine that delights users. You’re joining at the moment the product is proving retention and the technical complexity is about to explode.

What you’ll be doing

• Optimize inference costs across smaller models
• Own and evolve the in-house memory system that powers better agentic interactions
• Ship latency and information-compression improvements across the stack
• Build the content recommendation engine that surfaces interesting content to users
• Design and ship voice interfaces with the latency, presence, and nuance that make them feel real rather than robotic
• Set the bar for code quality and engineering taste; help recruit the next engineers

Tech stack: Backend (Python, Go, Rust, TypeScript, or similar) + distributed systems; full-stack with ML model integration; real-time / latency-sensitive infrastructure; voice/video systems.

• 3+ years backend + full-stack shipping experience (excluding internships)
• Raw intelligence + ability to move fast (founder priority over seniority)
• In-person San Francisco, 9-to-6 minimum, high-intensity culture
• Former founder or early-stage engineer preferred

Green Flags

• Former founder or founding engineer
• Top-school background with high raw intelligence
• Taste and judgment on AI-generated outputs
• Deep technical taste before AI tools
• Genuine fascination with real-time, latency-sensitive, or voice-first systems

Red Flags

• Career engineer mindset; sees the role as just a job
• Candidates from lower-tier schools with multiple company hops
• Cannot articulate taste or judgment on AI outputs
• Unwilling to work at startup intensity or in-person
• No demonstrated shipping or production ownership
• Only worked on small features at large companies

A consumer AI company at the frontier of human-AI interaction, building real-time experiences that feel present and proactive rather than sterile and turn-based - delivered inside the messaging and video surfaces people already use every day. The product is live in market with strong early traction: 130 paying customers, 80%+ day-one retention, and 70%+ week-two retention. Recently seed-funded and growing fast.

Founded recently · 1-10 people · Industry: Consumer Tech