Data & AI Engineer

About third

Third is a modern-commerce growth company helping brands turn new and emerging platforms into real sales channels.

Our integrated acquisition strategy connects best-in-class teams across TikTok, Whatnot, Meta, Snap, and beyond - eliminating the need to stitch together multiple partners.

Third blends deep niche expertise with modern execution to launch, operate, and scale commerce on new platforms, transforming culture, creators, and content into real product sales. 

The Role

We're looking for a Data & AI Engineer to build the technical foundation of Third's Creative Engine, an AI-powered platform that connects creative performance, creator data, and commerce insights.

You'll own the data architecture, AI integrations, and engineering systems that power the platform, building everything from scalable data pipelines to LLM-powered video analysis and search capabilities. This is a hands-on, high-impact role with significant technical ownership and the opportunity to shape an emerging product from the ground up.

What You'll Do

Data Architecture & Engineering

• Design and build scalable data pipelines that connect performance, sales, engagement, and creator data across TikTok, Meta, and other platforms.
• Develop robust data models, databases, and backend infrastructure using Python, Django, and PostgreSQL.
• Integrate third-party APIs and manage complex data processing challenges, including rate limits, authentication, and asynchronous workflows.

AI & Machine Learning Integration

• Build LLM-powered workflows for video analysis, creative tagging, and AI-generated insights using technologies such as Gemini and Claude.
• Develop semantic search and retrieval capabilities that transform complex data into actionable creative intelligence.
• Optimize AI systems for accuracy, reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency.

Product & Full-Stack Development

• Build tools that connect creative performance, creator history, and engagement data into a centralized intelligence platform.
• Develop end-to-end features, including dashboards, search interfaces, content libraries, and reporting tools.
• Partner with product and creative teams to translate business needs into scalable technical solutions.

Technical Ownership & Execution

• Own engineering solutions from architecture and development through deployment, monitoring, and optimization.
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, testing, and delivery.
• Contribute to technical standards, architectural decisions, and continuous improvements as the platform scales.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of experience building production applications, with a strong focus on data-intensive systems and backend engineering.
• Advanced proficiency in Python, Django, PostgreSQL, and SQL.
• Experience designing scalable data models, pipelines, and asynchronous processing systems using Celery, Redis, or similar technologies.
• Hands-on experience integrating LLM APIs into production, including prompt engineering, structured outputs, and cost management.
• Experience working with third-party APIs, including authentication, rate limits, and complex data structures.
• Proficiency with AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code or similar platforms.
• Ability to independently build and deploy end-to-end features, including backend and frontend components.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and independent decision-making skills.

Nice to Have: Experience with RAG, pgvector, AI agents, video processing, AWS, or ad tech and creator economy platforms.

Our Tech Stack: Python, Django, PostgreSQL, Celery, Redis, HTMX, Tailwind CSS, Gemini, Claude, Docker, AWS, and GitHub Actions.

Who You Are

• You're a builder who enjoys solving complex problems and shipping practical solutions.
• You're passionate about AI and excited to explore new technologies and development approaches.
• You thrive with autonomy and are comfortable making technical decisions in an evolving environment.
• You're collaborative, resourceful, and motivated by creating scalable systems that deliver real business value.

Why This Role Matters

Third is building the intelligence layer behind its creative operations. As our Data & AI Engineer, you'll develop the technology that transforms disconnected data into meaningful insights, helping our teams make faster, smarter, and more effective creative decisions.

Location

United States, Remote

Compensation

• Competitive salary + performance bonus eligible
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible PTO
• Remote-first work environment with periodic team gatherings
• Access to an industry-leading network across social commerce, creator, and brand marketing

Third is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and empowered