Founding AI Engineer
Summary
Build and deploy AI systems that extract insights from construction blueprints and documents using computer vision, LLMs, and multimodal AI to accelerate cost estimation and permitting workflows.
About the Role
This is a founding engineering role at a seed-stage AI startup building the intelligence layer for the construction industry. The company's platform transforms messy blueprints, permits, and construction documents into actionable insights — accelerating cost estimation and permitting workflows that directly impact housing, hospitals, and schools.
As a Founding AI Engineer, you'll be one of the earliest technical hires, working hands-on with state-of-the-art computer vision, LLMs, and multimodal AI to prototype and ship production systems on real-world, noisy construction documents. The focus is squarely on the intelligence layer — modeling, data pipelines, and inference — not the application UI.
This is a full-time, in-office role based in San Francisco, CA. Candidates must be based in SF or willing to relocate. US work authorization is required; visa sponsorship is not available.
What You'll Do
Apply state-of-the-art computer vision, LLM, and multimodal AI techniques to real-world construction documents (blueprints, schedules, specs).
Rapidly prototype models and iterate based on user feedback and real production data.
Build and deploy end-to-end AI systems that operate reliably on noisy, heterogeneous inputs.
Own the intelligence layer: modeling, data pipelines, and inference infrastructure.
Collaborate closely with product and users to surface and prioritize high-impact problems.
Embrace practical engineering work — data labeling, ETL, deployment — as part of a small, high-trust team.
Communicate progress, tradeoffs, and results clearly and empathetically across the team.
What We're Looking For
Must-haves:
Demonstrated experience applying computer vision and/or multimodal AI in production — on real-world, messy data (documents, images, mixed modalities).
0-to-1 builder mindset: you've launched an AI system into production or built the core of a new product from scratch.
Hands-on experience with LLMs and modern CV/multimodal model tooling and techniques.
Comfort iterating quickly and improving prototypes directly from user feedback.
Strong communication skills — honest, empathetic, and transparent with teammates and stakeholders.
Willingness to handle the full spectrum of startup engineering tasks (no task is too small).
Based in San Francisco or willing to relocate; US work authorization required.
Nice-to-haves:
Experience building something that shipped to real users or paying customers.
Background or domain knowledge in construction, AEC (architecture/engineering/construction), or related industries.
Experience at an early-stage startup or founding team environment.
All experience levels are welcome, including recent graduates with strong production ML portfolios.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $120,000 – $180,000 per year, depending on experience
Equity participation as a founding team member
Opportunity to shape the technical direction of an AI product from the ground up
Location
San Francisco, CA — full-time in-office
Relocation-ready candidates strongly encouraged to apply
US work authorization required; visa sponsorship is not available