Founding Software Engineer

Posted 12 Days Ago
Be an Early Applicant
San Francisco, CA, USA
In-Office
150K-250K Annually
Expert/Leader
Professional Services • Consulting
The Role
Serve as the first engineering hire, owning technical direction and the full stack from architecture through production operations. Lead the transition of a beta product to a scalable public launch, build production AI agent systems, work directly with early users to prioritize features, establish engineering standards, and help shape future hiring. The role requires independent execution across frontend, backend, infrastructure, and product development while working onsite in San Francisco.
Summary Generated by Built In

About the company

Our client is an early-stage software company.

The role

Raydar is recruiting for this role on behalf of our client. Act as the first engineering hire, responsible for the technical direction and for owning the full stack from architecture through production operations. Take an existing pre-release product to a publicly scalable launch while collaborating closely with company leadership and early users. Lay the groundwork for the wider engineering organization.

What you'll do

- Own the full technical stack end to end, including architecture, infrastructure choices, deployment and reliability.

- Move an existing beta product to a production-ready, publicly scalable release, rebuilding or extending components as needed.

- Design and ship production-grade AI agent systems, including orchestration and coordination across multiple tools.

- Speak directly with early users and customers to decide what to build next, then ship it independently.

- Define how the team writes, reviews and ships code, and what good looks like when recruiting future engineers.

- Work across frontend, backend and infrastructure as the product requires.


Requirements

What we're looking for

- 3 to 10 years of experience with deep expertise in at least one area: full-stack engineering with infrastructure scaling, production AI and LLM agent development, or product design and UI/UX.

- Proven record of designing and shipping production systems used by real users.

- High agency: able to set direction, make decisions and deliver without a manager or detailed brief.

- At least one clear marker of strength, such as a notable early engineering role, leadership of a technical venture, or a track record of delivering demanding production systems.

- Hands-on, technically deep and excited about building products from zero to one.

- Willingness to work on-site in San Francisco at startup intensity.

Bonus points

- Experience leading technology at an early-stage venture or joining one as a founding engineer.

- Time spent at a rapidly scaling AI company with selective hiring practices.

- Experience building products for business operators or founders.

- Familiarity with European technical ecosystems.


Benefits

Compensation and benefits

- Base salary: USD 150,000 to 250,000 per year

- Equity

- Relocation support

Location and work model

- San Francisco, CA, United States

- On-site

- Full-time

Skills Required

  • 3 to 10 years of professional experience with deep expertise in full-stack engineering with infrastructure scaling, production AI and LLM agent development, or product design and UI/UX
  • Proven record of designing and shipping production systems used by real users
  • High agency, including the ability to set direction, make decisions, and deliver independently
  • At least one clear marker of strength, such as a notable early engineering role, leadership of a technical venture, or demanding production-system delivery
  • Hands-on technical depth and enthusiasm for building products from zero to one
  • Willingness to work onsite in San Francisco at startup intensity
  • Experience leading technology at an early-stage venture or joining one as a founding engineer
  • Experience at a rapidly scaling AI company with selective hiring practices
  • Experience building products for business operators or founders
  • Familiarity with European technical ecosystems
Am I A Good Fit?
beta
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.

The Company
28 Employees
Year Founded: 2021

What We Do

Raydar is a talent acquisition and business consulting firm that connects world-class and emerging talent with growing organizations. It supports companies through team development, strategic hiring, and customized growth solutions, helping clients recruit roles such as engineers, product managers, executives, legal counsel, and quantitative traders. Raydar focuses on understanding each organization’s needs, culture, and long-term goals to build high-impact teams.

Similar Jobs

Deffai Logo Deffai

Software Engineer

Artificial Intelligence • Software • Biotech • Pharmaceutical
In-Office or Remote
San Francisco, CA, United States
8 Employees
190K-270K Annually

Raydar Logo Raydar

Software Engineer

Professional Services • Consulting
In-Office
Palo Alto, CA, USA
28 Employees
165K-210K Annually

Raydar Logo Raydar

Software Engineer

Professional Services • Consulting
In-Office
San Francisco, CA, USA
28 Employees
160K-230K Annually

Greenlight Robotics, Inc. Logo Greenlight Robotics, Inc.

Software Engineer

Artificial Intelligence • Computer Vision • Robotics • Transportation
In-Office
San Francisco, CA, USA
3 Employees

Similar Companies Hiring

Fora Thumbnail
Agency • On-Demand • Professional Services • Sales • Software • Travel • Hospitality
New York, NY
250 Employees
Energy CX Thumbnail
Greentech • Professional Services • Business Intelligence • Consulting • Energy • Financial Services • Utilities
Chicago, IL
150 Employees
Northslope Thumbnail
Artificial Intelligence • Information Technology • Software • Analytics • Consulting • Generative AI
London, GB
100 Employees

Sign up now Access later

Create Free Account

Please log in or sign up to report this job.

Create Free Account