Founding Engineer (Applied AI)

Worldwide Placement Limited•San Francisco, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Founding Engineer (Applied AI) will join an early-stage construction technology startup developing blueprint understanding and cost-estimation systems using a model-garden approach. The role focuses on the intelligence layer of the product, applying computer vision, machine learning, and AI systems to build prototypes and improve them based on user feedback. The posting describes the role as the company's first senior AI hire, working directly with the founder to shape agent architecture, evaluation systems, and learning loops, and to build the AI team. It also describes the work as focused on computer vision object detection and coordinating ML models, with an emphasis on intelligence-side R&D rather than application-layer development. The position is full-time and on-site in San Francisco. Candidates must be US citizens; visa sponsorship is not available. The posting lists competitive base salary and equity of 0.20%–1.20%.

Requirements

Applied computer vision and machine learning experience, including Python, machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision.
Experience building AI systems for production.
A growth mindset and willingness to tackle challenging problems.
Strong communication skills, with empathy and honesty about what is and is not working.
Comfort with hands-on, unglamorous work involved in building early-stage products.
US citizenship; visa sponsorship is not available.
Based in San Francisco or willing to relocate.
Able to work full-time in the office.

Nice To Haves

Experience founding a startup or building something people used or paid for.
Construction background.

Responsibilities

Focus on the intelligence layer rather than the application layer.
Apply current computer vision, LLM models, and AI systems.
Ship initial prototypes quickly and improve them based on user feedback.
Own the quality and intelligence of multi-channel marketing agents end to end, as described in the role overview.
Shape agent architecture, evaluation systems, and learning loops while building out the AI team.