Founding Software Engineer
Founding Software Engineer - AI Startup (NYC OnSite)
The Job
Are you a builder at heart? My client seeks a highly autonomous Founding Full-Stack Product Engineer to operate with founder-level impact, taking ownership of building core systems from the ground up. Reporting directly to the CTO, you won't just optimize – you'll architect, develop, and ship end-to-end features for a platform transforming regulatory compliance with AI. This is a critical role demanding strong technical vision and the ability to navigate the challenges of 0-to-1 product development.
The Company
My client is an early-stage NYC startup with paying customers, revenue, and multi-million in pre-seed funding, providing a solid couple of years of runway. They are discreetly building an AI-powered platform to revolutionize how professionals handle complex accounting and regulatory compliance. You'll join a small, highly collaborative founding team in a flat structure, playing a key role in shaping both the product and the engineering culture during a pivotal growth phase.
About You
We're looking for an exceptional engineer with a demonstrated history of end-to-end building and shipping software and a proactive, ownership-driven mindset. You thrive in ambiguity, possess strong product intuition, and excel at turning complex requirements into elegant, functional software. You likely have 5+ years of experience, but proven capability and a "builder" mentality matter most.
Specifically, we need someone who has:
- Deep experience across the stack, with strong Python backend skills complemented by React/Next.js frontend expertise.
- Proven ability to architect and build complex features and systems end-to-end, not just iterate on existing codebases.
- Successfully navigated the challenges and pace of an early-stage startup environment.
4. Why Would You Join?
- Founder-Level Impact: Shape foundational technology with significant autonomy and ownership, like a co-founder but without the initial risk.
- Build from Scratch: Tackle the exciting challenge of 0-to-1 product development in the cutting-edge field of AI.
- Proven Traction: Join a funded startup that already has customers, revenue, and a clear market strategy.
- Direct Collaboration: Work closely with the CTO and a small, high-caliber founding team.
5. The Salary, Location & Process
- Salary: $200,000 - $225,000 base + significant equity (0.1% - 1%). Compensation is flexible for candidates demonstrating exceptional capability.
- Location: NYC. Crucially, requires significant on-site presence in NYC initially to build trust and momentum within the founding team.
- Hiring Process: Initial screening call, a technical discussion, and final interviews with the founders.
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