Founding Engineer
At a glance
Mid-level Software Engineering role at Clera. San Francisco · full-time · $175,000–$225,000 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build throughout the application with the founder, designers and engineers
- Create systems that handle memory, information retrieval, proactive behavior and AI response
- Connect video-generation and audio-synthesis models, including in-house and external systems
- Set engineering quality standards, help recruit engineers and use the product to check its value
- Lay the technical groundwork while shaping the product and engineering practices
What you bring
- A computer science degree from a highly ranked university
- Two to seven years of professional software engineering work, beyond entry-level experience
- Strong computer science foundations, complex side projects and Python skills, including typed scientific Python
Who this fits
This suits an engineer ready to work across the application and take an active role in product decisions, engineering standards and recruiting. The role is fully on-site in San Francisco, with full-time in-person work required. Visa sponsorship is available.
From the employer
About the Role
Join an early-stage consumer AI startup as a Founding Engineer — a rare 1-of-1 role working directly alongside the founding team to shape both the product and engineering culture. This company is building a real-time AI-enabled platform designed to digitize human connection, making AI interactions feel genuinely present and personal. You'll help lay the technical foundation from the ground up in a fast-moving, high-ambition environment.
What You'll Do
Build across the full application, collaborating closely with the founder, design team, and other engineers.
Design and implement systems for memory, retrieval, proactivity, and AI responsiveness.
Integrate real-time video generation and audio synthesis models — both internal and third-party.
Set the bar for engineering quality and play an active role in recruiting world-class talent.
Extensively use the product yourself to ensure real user value and quality.
What We're Looking For
Required: Computer Science degree from a top university.
Required: 2–7 years of professional software engineering experience (not a new grad).
Required: Strong CS fundamentals and a track record of technically complex side projects.
Required: High energy, entrepreneurial spirit — prior startup or fast-moving environment experience strongly valued.
Required: Proficiency in Python, including typed scientific Python.
Bonus: Experience with real-time media, vision/video model training or deployment, memory systems, or audio synthesis.
Bonus: Familiarity with agentic coding or AI-assisted development workflows.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $175,000 – $225,000 USD annually
Visa sponsorship available
Location
This role is fully on-site in San Francisco, CA. Candidates must be willing and able to work in-person full-time.
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