Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer

Founding Full-Stack Engineer (AI / LLM Product)

San Francisco, on-site 5 days a week | $180k - $280k

We are recruiting on behalf of an early-stage, AI-focused company in San Francisco that is looking for a founding engineer. This is a hands-on role for someone who wants real ownership: you will build across the whole stack, put LLM-powered systems into production, and work directly with the customers using what you ship.

Our client is very clear about the background they need. Please read the requirements below carefully before applying, as the essentials are not flexible.

The role

• Design, build, and run production services end to end, from PostgreSQL schema to React/TypeScript front end
• Build systems that integrate with LLMs in production: orchestration, tool calling, context management, and evals
• Talk to customers directly and iterate on features based on their feedback
• Lead large, business-critical projects and make pragmatic calls on when to refactor or ship, build or buy, and how to manage technical debt

Essential: you must have all of these

• A proven record of shipping production services. You can point to concrete, verifiable contributions across the stack and sustained ownership of meaningful systems.
• The core stack. A typed language (ideally Go), Python, PostgreSQL, and React/TypeScript.
• Experience iterating on features from direct customer feedback, with strong written and verbal communication with users.
• On-site in San Francisco, 5 days a week. There is no remote or hybrid option.

The background our client is looking for

• 5 to 10 years in full-stack software engineering
• Production LLM integration experience. You have built and shipped these systems yourself, not just prototyped or collaborated on them.
• Strong PostgreSQL skills: schema design, migrations, and production operations
• Experience leading larger projects, measured by scope, complexity, and importance to the business rather than duration
• A BS or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field. A top-30 CS program is strongly preferred, particularly for candidates at the earlier end of the experience range.
• A real understanding of what being a founding engineer involves, either because you have been one or because you have looked hard at what it demands

Nice to have

• Early-stage startup experience, or a mix of big tech and startup
• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, GCP, Docker

Work authorization

H-1B transfers, STEM OPT, and TN visas are all acceptable.

To apply

Send your resume along with a short note on a production system you have owned and, if you have one, an LLM-powered feature you shipped. Applications that clearly show the essentials above will be prioritized.