Founding Engineer (AI/ML)
- Location
- San Francisco
- Workplace
- On-site
- Compensation
- $130k – $170k + equity
About this role
As a Founding ML/AI Engineer at Clera, you'll own the intelligence layer of our recruiting marketplace: the recommendation systems, ranking algorithms, and LLM-powered matching that decide which candidate sees which role. This is the core of how the product works, and it's yours to build.
What you'll do
- Own the AI/ML intelligence layer end to end: recommendation, ranking, and retrieval.
- Build LLM-powered matching that measurably improves candidate-role alignment.
- Take features from problem to production yourself, shipping on a daily cadence.
- Architect and maintain the production data pipelines and services the models run on.
- Work directly with the founders to turn product goals into shipped systems.
What we're looking for
- 2-5 years shipping production software, with real applied ML depth. You've put models in front of users, not just in notebooks.
- Hands-on experience with recommender systems, ranking, or ML-powered matching. This is the thing we care about most.
- Strong in TypeScript or Python. Either is fine on its own.
- Production experience with LLM APIs.
- Strong CS fundamentals and a track record in fast, unstructured environments.
- Something outstanding on your profile: a top program, a strong GitHub, projects you're proud of.
- Nice to have: React, Supabase, Prisma, Typesense, trigger.dev, embeddings and vector search.
How we work
We're in person in SF at our hacker house, 6 days a week. It's an intense cadence and we'd rather you know that now than find out in week two. Relocation assistance available.
Compensation
$130, 000 to $170, 000 plus competitive founding-hire equity.
What happens next
Skip the application pile. I get you in front of the people who decide.
Confirm the fit
A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.
I pitch you to the company
I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.
A meeting lands on your calendar
When the company wants to meet, I get the call on your calendar. You just show up.
Culture & values
Impact-Driven
Innovation First
Growth Mindset
Maximizing Presence - values in-person collaboration
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