Founding – Software Engineers

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of products, features, or core systems from their initial concept and architecture all the way through to production deployment.

• Engage in development across the entire stack, which includes backend services, APIs, data infrastructure, frontend/product interfaces, and cloud systems.

• Create AI-native products and workflows utilizing LLMs, agents, tool integrations, retrieval systems, and contemporary AI development tools where applicable.

• Make practical architecture and product decisions in settings with limited processes and incomplete specifications.

• Collaborate directly with founders, customers, and other stakeholders to identify challenges and transform them into delivered software.

• Develop integrations with external APIs, business systems, data sources, and third-party platforms.

• Set up engineering patterns, tools, testing, observability, and best practices as teams grow.

• Contribute to shaping the engineering culture, and in certain roles, mentor or lead engineers who join after you.

• Explore opportunities at venture-backed AI and technology companies, ranging from founding teams to rapidly scaling startups.

⛳️ Requirements

• Significant professional software engineering experience with a proven track record of delivering production systems.

• Ability to transition from an ambiguous problem to a functioning production solution without needing a detailed specification.

• Strong foundations in backend, full-stack, product engineering, or systems engineering.

• Proficiency in one or more modern production programming languages such as Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, Go, Java, or Rust.

• Comfort in working across various layers of a product rather than being confined to a narrow specialty.

• High agency, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to thrive in fast-paced environments.

• A history of making a significant technical impact, rapid growth, entrepreneurial endeavors, strong startup experience, or other clear indicators of engineering excellence.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical decisions and trade-offs.

• Experience as a Founding Engineer, Early Engineer, Product Engineer, Full-Stack Engineer, Backend Engineer, or Staff/Senior Software Engineer is especially relevant.

• Experience in early-stage or high-growth startups, or capability to function effectively in a startup-like environment.

• Experience in 0-to-1 product or platform development.

• Relevant experience in production AI/LLM or agentic systems.

• Experience with Python and/or TypeScript/React is particularly pertinent.

• Experience in API integrations, distributed systems, data infrastructure, or developer tooling is especially relevant.

• Daily utilization of modern AI coding tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot, Codex, or similar tools is particularly relevant.

• Entrepreneurial background, significant side projects, open-source contributions, or previous founder experience is particularly relevant.

🏝️ Benefits

• Specific in-office or hybrid expectations, seniority, compensation, equity, visa sponsorship, education preferences, and technical stacks vary by opportunity.