What we do
Idler builds reinforcement learning environments that teach AI models to code like 0.01% engineers. Our training environments are based on real-world coding scenarios that frontier models will actually encounter.
We've closed a multimillion-dollar contract with a leading foundation lab (the largest they've issued to date). Demand is outpacing our capacity to deliver, so we're scaling the team fast.
What you'll do
Build features and tooling for our agentic systems that create and QA coding environments. You'll work alongside senior engineers and the founding team, learning how to design systems that are both technically sound and philosophically robust. A big part of our work is thinking critically about what makes a coding environment "good" and "fair".
Concretely, you'll:
Build UI components and backend services for environment generation and validation
Implement automated testing and QA workflows
Work with real codebases to understand what makes effective training data
Ship features quickly and iterate based on feedback from AI researchers at leading labs
You'll work with
The founding team, a founding engineer, and a small group of engineers (we're hiring quickly). You'll learn directly from people building at the cutting edge of AI training.
Tech stack
Typescript, React, NodeJS, Postgres, Redis, Vercel, Cursor
Benefits
Healthcare coverage, 401(k), and 15 days PTO
Meals, coffee, and snacks (that you will actually enjoy) covered during working days
Latest MacBook Pro and equipment
Relocation assistance available
Team offsites and events (we love hanging out)
This is an in-person role in San Francisco. We're a tight-knit founding team and we play to win. Join us if you like to win too.
Skills Required
- Experience with Typescript, React, and NodeJS
- Familiarity with Postgres and Redis
- Ability to implement automated testing and QA workflows
- Experience in building UI components
Idler Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered clearly signposted with explicit salary and equity bands published on YC and mirrored across job pages. Feedback suggests this clarity helps candidates weigh cash versus ownership and understand role-level expectations.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity is described as meaningful and accessible, with stated ranges from roughly 0.05% to 2.00% depending on role seniority. Early-stage positioning highlights ownership as a material component of total rewards.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Day-to-day perks such as free daily meals via DoorDash, office snacks/drinks, team outings/offsites, relocation help, and top-end equipment are prominently listed. These offerings reduce out-of-pocket costs and support an in-person culture.
Idler Insights
What We Do
Idler builds reinforcement learning environments that teach AI models to code at expert human levels. We create training environments based on real-world coding scenarios that prepare models for the complex challenges they'll face in production.
Why Work With Us
You'll be joining a team that's expanding quickly, get direct access to AI researchers at frontier labs, and be put in a position to grow as fast as you can handle.
Gallery
Idler Offices
OnSite Workspace
All employees work in person out of our office in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco.
