Founding Product Engineer
About the Role
This is a founding engineering role at an early-stage legaltech startup combining AI agents with licensed attorneys to transform how commercial contracts are reviewed, negotiated, and drafted. You'll build core product features from the ground up, working side-by-side with attorneys and AI engineers to turn complex legal workflows into reliable, production-grade software. As one of the first engineers, you'll set the engineering culture and standards for everyone who comes after you.
What You'll Do
Build and own core product features across the full stack - from data models to the interfaces attorneys and clients use daily.
Partner closely with AI engineers and attorneys to translate legal workflows and review playbooks into production-ready software.
Make pragmatic architecture and tooling decisions that balance speed today with maintainability tomorrow.
Write reliable, production-quality code and take complete ownership of what you ship.
Help define engineering culture, standards, and hiring practices as the team scales.
Move work across the finish line with a customer-first mindset - urgency and quality both matter here.
What We're Looking For
1-3 years of experience building and shipping production software, ideally at an early-stage company or as a founder.
Strong full-stack capability: TypeScript/React on the front end, a modern backend stack, and relational databases.
Hands-on experience building with AI/LLMs, either professionally or in personal projects.
Proven track record of owning features end-to-end - from conception through production deployment.
Comfort making pragmatic engineering trade-offs and architecture decisions under time pressure.
Thrives in fast-moving, high-ownership environments with minimal process and real ambiguity.
Strong product instincts and an entrepreneurial, ownership-oriented mindset.
Experience working directly with domain experts to translate complex workflows into software is a plus.
Familiarity with legaltech, contract management, or document processing is a plus.
Experience with modern DevOps, CI/CD, and production monitoring practices is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $140,000 - $180,000 annually. Equity offered as part of a founding team package. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Location
This is a full-time, on-site role based in San Francisco, California. In-person presence is expected.