Founding Engineer (Applied AI)

ABOUT THE ROLE This is a founding engineering role at an early-stage construction technology startup using AI to automate blueprint analysis, material takeoffs, and cost estimation. You'll own the intelligence layer, advancing computer vision and AI systems from research to shipped prototypes that real users rely on. It's a high-impact position on a small, focused team working to make housing development faster and more affordable. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Drive the intelligence layer of the product, not the application layer. - Apply the latest computer vision models, LLMs, and AI systems to hard construction-domain problems. - Ship working prototypes quickly and iterate based on direct user feedback. - Coordinate and orchestrate multiple ML models as part of a broader AI system. - Take on pragmatic early-stage work outside the core modeling problem when the team needs it. WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - Hands-on applied computer vision and machine learning experience, including Python and deep learning. - Demonstrated ability to take an AI system from zero to one and deploy it in production. - Strong CS or engineering fundamentals, whether from formal education or equivalent practical experience. - Background at a fast-moving tech company, research lab, or early-stage startup is a plus. - Empathetic, candid communicator with a growth mindset, slope matters more than starting point. - Comfortable doing "schlep" work as part of building early-stage products. - Bonus: previously built something that users adopted or paid for, or has a construction industry background. - US citizenship required; visa sponsorship is not available. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Base salary: $120,000 to $180,000 USD annually. Equity is expected given the founding-team nature of the role. Visa sponsorship is not available. LOCATION On-site, full-time in San Francisco, California. Relocation is welcome.