Founding Engineer (Applied AI)

About this role

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join a small, high-impact team at an early-stage startup building cutting-edge AI to transform the construction industry. This company uses a model-garden approach to automate blueprint understanding, material takeoffs, and cost estimation — making construction projects faster and more affordable. As a Founding Engineer (Applied AI), you'll own the intelligence layer, taking the newest computer vision and LLM models from research to production-grade prototypes that real users rely on.

This is a full-time, in-office role based in San Francisco, CA.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Focus on the intelligence layer — not the application layer — designing and advancing AI/CV/ML systems end-to-end.

- Apply the latest computer vision models, large language models, and AI systems to real construction workflows.

- Ship working prototypes quickly, then iterate based on direct user feedback.

- Coordinate and orchestrate multiple ML models as part of a broader model-garden architecture.

- Roll up your sleeves for "schlep" work — the unglamorous but essential parts of building early-stage products.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required:

- Hands-on applied experience with computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning.

- Strong Python skills and comfort working close to the model layer.

- Proven track record as a 0-to-1 builder — you've shipped AI systems to production.

- Growth mindset: you value trajectory (slope) over where you started (y-intercept).

- Communicates with empathy and honesty — candid about what's working and what isn't.

- Based in San Francisco or willing to relocate; fully in-office.

Nice to Have:

- Experience building a product that people used or paid for (founder or early startup experience).

- Background in construction, estimating, or construction technology.

- Impact-driven mindset with comfort operating in ambiguity.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

- Salary: $120,000 – $180,000 USD annually, depending on experience.

- Early-stage equity opportunity as a founding team member.

Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

LOCATION

San Francisco, CA, United States — full-time, in-office. Candidates must be local or willing to relocate.