Clera→
Founding Engineer
ExperiencedOn-site
Location
San Francisco, CA
Salary
$175k–$225k/yr
Experience
Not specified
Posted
Today
Skills
pythontyped scientific pythonvision and video modelsreal-time video generationaudio synthesismemory and retrieval systemsagentic codingai-assisted development toolsentrepreneurial spirithigh energyself-drivencomfortable with ambiguitystrong cs fundamentalshigh technical aptitudereal-time mediavision or video model training/deploymentmemory systemsvoice/audio-focused projects
Job Description
About the Role
Join a fast-moving, early-stage consumer AI startup as a Founding Engineer — a rare, high-impact position working directly alongside the founder. This is a true 1-of-1 opportunity to shape both the product and engineering culture from the ground up. The company is building a real-time, AI-enabled platform focused on digitizing human connection, making AI conversations feel genuinely present and responsive. You'll be one of the first engineers in, with enormous scope and ownership.
What You'll Do
- Build across the full application stack alongside the founder, design team, and other engineers.
- Design and implement systems for memory, retrieval, proactivity, and AI responsiveness.
- Integrate and develop cutting-edge real-time video generation and audio synthesis models, both internal and third-party.
- Set the bar for engineering quality and help recruit world-class talent as the team grows.
- Extensively use and test the product yourself — because you genuinely care about the user experience.
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 high technical aptitude.
- Required: Demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit — experience in startups or other fast-moving, ambiguous environments.
- Required: Technically complex side projects that showcase initiative and depth.
- Required: High energy, self-driven, and comfortable with early-stage chaos.
- Bonus: Experience with real-time media, vision or video model training/deployment, memory systems, voice/audio-focused projects, or typed scientific Python.
Tech Stack
- Python (including typed scientific Python)
- Vision and video models
- Real-time video generation and audio synthesis
- Memory and retrieval systems
- Agentic coding and AI-assisted development tools
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. Remote work is not available for this position.
Benefits
Visa sponsorship available