Sr AI Engineer – Bay Area (YC Startup)
We’re seeking a Senior AI Engineer to build and scale next-generation AI systems that bring agentic workflows to life. In this role, you’ll design and implement LLM-powered pipelines with continuous evaluation and feedback loops, develop organization-specific customization layers, and create engaging voice- and message-based agents. Beyond deep technical execution, you’ll collaborate closely with product teams, stakeholders, and users to shape product direction and translate real-world needs into scalable solutions.
This is a hands-on, product-focused role for a builder who thrives in ambiguity, adapts quickly to new frameworks, and delivers impactful, enterprise-grade AI solutions at startup speed.
Responsibilities
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Design and implement agentic workflows powered by LLMs for real-world enterprise use.
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Build customization layers tailored to organization-specific logic and requirements.
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Collaborate directly with product teams, founders, and users to understand pain points and iterate quickly.
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Translate user and product feedback into production-grade technical solutions.
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Develop voice-based and message-based learning agents with evaluation loops and continuous monitoring.
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Architect AI pipelines (RAG, prompt engineering, evaluation) and reliable infrastructure for complex environments.
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Clearly communicate technical decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
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Manage multi-agent orchestration and core AI system infrastructure.
Qualifications
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5+ years of experience in machine learning (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
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2+ years hands-on experience with LLMs (Hugging Face, OpenAI, Anthropic).
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Proven experience building and deploying production AI systems, including RAG and vector search.
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Knowledge of prompt engineering, AI safety, and content filtering best practices.
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Familiarity with Rails a plus; strong candidates can ramp quickly.
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Experience with REST APIs, PostgreSQL, ActiveRecord, and RSpec.
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Understanding of frameworks like LangChain or LlamaIndex, or ability to learn rapidly.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience working directly with users or clients.
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Startup experience preferred, ideally with products selling to enterprise customers.
Ideal Candidate
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Innovative Builder: Designs and optimizes sophisticated AI workflows from ideation to deployment.
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Product-Minded Communicator: Excels at translating real-world feedback into scalable technical solutions.
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Technically Excellent: Strong expertise in production AI systems and infrastructure.
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Collaborative & Fast-Moving: Thrives in ambiguity, iterates quickly, and works seamlessly with small, high-impact teams.
Location: Bay Area, CA (on-site / hybrid as required)
Visa/Relocation: Candidates must already be authorized to work in the U.S. and located in the Bay Area.