Most engineers fix the bug. You build the system that fixes it overnight and tells you what it improved.
A young AI-and-creativity lab in San Francisco wants to make video as easy to create as code has become with AI assistants. Their first product is a desktop app that connects a large library of generative models, search, motion design and editing to the AI assistant you already use. It runs on your own GPU, which keeps it private, cheaper and smarter, and the launch got serious traction. The founders have built and sold two consumer and media companies, and one of them took an AI product to real revenue single-handedly. Their conviction: everyone understands video, but hardly anyone can make it.
What you'll own
The core product, as founding engineer, working alongside a founder who keeps pushing the experimental edge
A harness that improves itself and keeps the product stable. For example: each feedback click captures a screenshot plus the full error context, and an agent works through the night's errors, fixes what it can and reports what changed.
Faster, cheaper video generation, with more magic for the user
Making frontier, niche and open-source models feel like one seamless product
Later on: small on-device models for parts of the creative workflow, together with the ML hire
What you bring
Serious harness-engineering experience. Without it, this isn't the role.
A T-shaped generalist who's strong on both front end and back end
You follow the model frontier closely and know how to get lesser-known and open-source models working in a product
You've built something similar and know what it takes when things break
A sharp individual contributor rather than a manager
A creative streak: you make music, create content, or have a real eye for art
Roughly 3–8 years. Your work matters far more than your logos.
Bonus points
You've worked on, or contributed open source to, AI video or creative tools
You've built and launched an AI product on your own
Experience with agent systems that improve themselves
What's in it for you
$200k–$300k base + equity
Founding-engineer ownership of a product with real momentum
Visa sponsorship available
Good to know
Full-time, on-site in San Francisco, 9-9-6. Best suited to someone ready to go all in right now.
Process: first screen co-working session conversation on motivation and culture offer
Does this sound like you? Apply now. If you're a match, we'll be in touch within 3 working days.