Founding Software Engineer

Recruiting From Scratch•San Francisco, CA

5d•$145,000 - $240,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Our client is an early-stage AI startup transforming the logistics industry by automating the manual workflows that power freight operations. Their platform replaces data entry, paperwork, and phone-based coordination with AI-driven systems that operate in real time. Backed by a well-capitalized parent company with over $200M raised and founded by industry leaders who have built large-scale logistics products, the company combines the agility of a seed-stage startup with the resources and distribution advantages of a much larger organization. This is a rare opportunity to build foundational AI systems in a $1T+ industry undergoing rapid transformation.

Requirements

1–4 years of software engineering experience
Strong backend engineering skills with Python and/or TypeScript
Experience building production systems and APIs
Background in VC-backed startups or high-growth environments
Experience integrating external systems (APIs, webhooks, queues)
Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS or similar)
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to operate in ambiguity
Based in or willing to relocate to San Francisco (hybrid role)

Nice To Haves

Experience working with AI/ML systems or LLM-based workflows
Background in logistics, fintech, or operationally complex domains
Experience building 0→1 products or systems
Strong product intuition and ability to move quickly
Signal of excellence (top schools, strong startups, or high-impact projects)

Responsibilities

Design and build backend systems, APIs, and integrations for real-world logistics workflows
Develop AI-driven orchestration systems that coordinate agents with deterministic systems
Integrate with third-party systems (TMS APIs, webhooks, queues) to enable end-to-end automation
Build scalable services using Python, TypeScript, and cloud infrastructure (AWS)
Own features end-to-end, from ambiguous problem definition to production deployment
Improve reliability and evaluation systems for production AI workflows
Work directly with customers and operational data to refine product functionality
Collaborate closely with founders to shape architecture and product direction

Benefits

Competitive base salary: $145,000 – $240,000
Founding-level equity with significant upside
Visa sponsorship available
Hybrid work model (Mon–Thurs onsite in SF)
Opportunity to work directly with experienced founders from top logistics companies
High ownership role with direct impact on product and company trajectory
Unique combination of startup upside and strong financial backing

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