Founding Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site · Full-timeCompensation: $160,000–$220,000 + ~0.5% equity

About the Company

Our client is building the ad network for AI. The team partners with consumer AI entertainment and character platforms to create immersive, personalized ad formats — playable ads, animated character ads, sponsored experiences, and creative units that feel native to AI companions rather than disruptive to users. The work sits at the intersection of advertising, consumer products, AI-generated media, and mobile entertainment. It's well-backed by a top-tier venture firm and other notable investors, and the team moves fast and ships often.

Industry: AI advertising / consumer AI

The Role

A Founding Engineer who can blend backend, ML, and traditional system design / infrastructure — a high-agency, high-slope builder, not a candidate filtered through a narrow tech-stack requirement.

Tech stack: Tech-stack agnostic; PyTorch fluency is a nice-to-have.

Requirements

• 0–3 years of engineering
• Backend + ML + systems
• A side-project track record

Nice to Haves

• A strong side-project portfolio that demonstrates building outside day-job scope
• A recent grad or 0–3 YOE with exceptional signal (top engineering school, notable internships, or notable side projects)
• A background at a consumer or ad-infrastructure company (e.g., Roblox, Meta, Amazon, or comparable) with side-project signal

Why Join

• A founding seat: one of the earliest engineering hires at "the ad network for AI," with direct influence over the engineering culture
• Direct founder access, with cross-functional work alongside the founding team
• Backing and momentum: well-backed, fast-moving, ships often
• Perks: meaningful equity, free lunch and dinner (meal stipend), office gym

Details

• Location — San Francisco, CA
• Work policy — On-site
• Compensation — $160,000–$220,000 + ~0.5% equity
• Visa sponsorship — Not available; US citizens or visa holders only
• Employment type — Full-time