Applied AI Engineer, Internal Tooling - New York

Job Title: AI Engineer, Internal Tooling

Location: New York City, NoHo Office (5 days a week)

About This Opportunity:

Build the AI tools that Automattic uses internally. Maintain and extend LibreChat, our self-hosted AI interface. Create lightweight integrations and automations that make teams more productive. Help 1,500 people work better with AI. This isn't about building consumer products or shipping to millions of users. It's about building tools for the people sitting next to you, getting immediate feedback, and iterating based on what actually helps.

If you've ever wished you could control your own AI tools, customize them exactly how you want, and not be at the mercy of third-party vendors, this is that opportunity. You'll work in-person with our NYC AI team while your tools serve Automattic's distributed organization globally.

Why This Role Matters:

Most companies are locked into third-party AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, whatever comes next. They're stuck with whatever features the vendor ships, whatever privacy terms are imposed, and whatever prices are charged. Automattic wants to control our AI infrastructure, customize it for our needs, and build tools that make our specific workflows better.

You'll have unusual freedom: self-hosted and open source stack, users sitting next to you with immediate feedback, no enterprise procurement cycles. Making 1,500 people more productive compounds quickly, and your work will improve LibreChat for everyone.

Responsibilities:

• Own Automattic's LibreChat deployment: maintain, extend, and customize our self-hosted AI interface (TypeScript/Node.js stack)
• Contribute upstream to the LibreChat open source project; add features specific to Automattic's needs while improving the project for everyone
• Build lightweight internal tools and automations that help teams use AI better; integrate AI capabilities into existing Automattic systems
• Work with DevOps on hosting, scaling, and reliability; debug issues, triage user feedback, ship improvements continuously
• Create agent skills, custom workflows, and productivity multipliers; experiment with emerging AI tools, and prototype new capabilities
• Document what you build so others can use it effectively; run workshops and office hours to help engineers adopt AI tooling

Requirements:

• Strong TypeScript/JavaScript and Node.js experience
• Comfortable contributing to open source projects
• Actual use of AI tools in your workflow
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to communicate clearly
• Willingness to document what you build and help non-technical people use it effectively
• Desire to see your work used immediately by real people and prefer iterating with users next to you

Technical Experience:

• DevOps experience: Docker, self-hosted infrastructure, Kubernetes, and managing production services
• Previous work on developer tools, internal platforms, or productivity software
• Open source contributions beyond LibreChat; track record of upstream engagement
• Understanding of LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) and how to build with them
• Experience with Python for quick prototyping and AI integrations
• Bonus points:
• Background in developer relations or technical advocacy
• Experience building tools for distributed teams or remote-first organizations
• Understanding of WordPress or PHP
• Track record of building internal tools that became critical company infrastructure

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary range: $170,000-$230,000 USD
• Global salary ranges that do not vary by location
• Additional costs associated with the office-based role requirements
• Competitive base salary with financial clarity
• Open vacation policy
• Benefits by country (consult our Benefits Page)
• Information on How We Hire and What We Expect from Ourselves

About Automattic:

Now in our 20th year, we're the people behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Tumblr, Simplenote, Jetpack, Longreads, Day One, PocketCasts, Beeper, and more. We believe in making the web a better place. We're a distributed company with more than 1400 Automatticians in nearly every corner of the globe, speaking over a hundred different languages.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

We value diversity, equity, and inclusion. We're a Most Loved Company and Disability Confident Committed. Learn more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion and our Employee Resource Groups.

How to Apply:

If you have strong TypeScript/JavaScript and Node.js experience, and are comfortable contributing to open source projects, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant links to your contributions or experience.

Self-Identification:

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one.

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