Founding Engineer
Summary
Clera is seeking a founding engineer to build real-time, conversational AI experiences. The role involves full-stack development, integrating AI models for video and audio, and shaping the company's technical direction in an early-stage startup environment.
About the Role
This is a rare founding engineering position at an early-stage consumer AI company building real-time, human-feeling conversational experiences. You'll work directly alongside the founder to shape both the product and the engineering culture from the ground up — this is a genuine 1-of-1 seat at the table.
What You'll Do
Build across the full stack — frontend, backend, and everything in between — collaborating closely with the founder, design, and fellow engineers.
Design and implement systems for memory, retrieval, proactivity, and responsiveness to make AI feel more present and alive.
Integrate and improve real-time video generation and audio synthesis models, both internal and third-party.
Set the bar for engineering quality and actively help recruit exceptional talent as the team scales.
Dogfood the product deeply and use that insight to drive meaningful improvements.
What We're Looking For
2–7 years of software engineering experience, with at least some professional time building production systems — not a new grad.
Strong computer science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, and system design.
CS degree or equivalent technical background from a strong academic program.
Demonstrated ability to build technically complex projects end-to-end (professional, open source, or side projects).
Experience with full-stack application development across frontend and backend.
Comfort integrating external APIs and third-party services.
Experience in an early-stage startup or fast-moving, ambiguous environment.
Proficiency in Python, including typed scientific Python.
Bonus: experience with real-time media systems (video streaming, live communication, or audio processing), vision or video generation models, memory or retrieval systems, or audio synthesis applications.
High energy, entrepreneurial drive, and genuine excitement about early-stage consumer AI.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary $175,000–$225,000 USD annually, plus equity. Visa sponsorship is available.
Location
On-site in San Francisco, CA. In-person presence is required.
As published by ashby
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