Founding Engineer (AI/ML)
Clera
About the Role
This is a foundational engineering role at a pre-seed AI-powered recruiting marketplace that's reimagining how top talent connects with startup opportunities. As a Founding AI/ML Engineer, you'll own the intelligence layer of the product - building the recommendation systems, ranking algorithms, and LLM-powered matching that sit at the core of the platform. You'll work in a high-ownership, fast-shipping environment alongside a small, ambitious team.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in scrappy, entrepreneurial settings, ships daily, and wants their work to have an outsized impact from day one.
What You'll Do
Build and own the AI/ML intelligence layer, including recommendation systems and ranking algorithms that match candidates to roles.
Develop and iterate on LLM-powered matching pipelines to improve candidate-role alignment.
Translate product goals into production-ready features through close cross-functional collaboration.
Deliver end-to-end features with full ownership, shipping to production on a daily cadence.
Architect and maintain production-grade data pipelines and backend services integrated with the broader stack.
What We're Looking For
Required:
Strong CS fundamentals with 2-5 years of experience delivering end-to-end product features in a fast-paced startup environment, including daily production shipping.
Proficiency with TypeScript and React in production-grade projects.
Hands-on experience with Cursor, Supabase, Prisma, Typesense, LLM APIs, and trigger.dev.
Demonstrated track record of working in entrepreneurial, high-velocity, "get it done" environments.
Something outstanding about your profile - e.g., strong open-source contributions, an active GitHub, impressive personal projects, or strong academic credentials.
Willingness to work on-site in San Francisco in an intensive, high-commitment work setup (up to 6 days/week).
Open to a hackerhouse-style living and working arrangement.
Nice to have:
Prior experience in HR tech, talent acquisition, or marketplace products.
Background in building or fine-tuning LLM-based features in a production context.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $130,000 - $170,000 USD annually
Early-stage equity commensurate with a founding team role
Visa sponsorship is available
Location
This role is on-site in San Francisco, CA. The team works in a collaborative, in-person environment - candidates open to a hackerhouse setup are strongly preferred. This is not a remote position.