Founding Engineer (Applied AI)

Posted:
7/10/2026, 1:57:13 AM

Location(s):
San Francisco, California, United States ⋅ California, United States

Experience Level(s):
Junior ⋅ Mid Level ⋅ Senior

Field(s):
AI & Machine Learning

Workplace Type:
On-site

Pay:
$100k–$180k/yr

About the Role

Join an early-stage, seed-funded AI startup in the construction tech space that is automating the process of reading construction blueprints and extracting material and cost data. The company is tackling a massive, largely manual industry problem using cutting-edge computer vision and AI — and this hire will be a core part of the technical foundation. If you love hard problems, shipping quickly, and iterating directly with users, this is the role for you.

What You'll Do

  • Focus on the intelligence layer — ML models, algorithms, and AI systems — rather than the application layer

  • Apply the latest computer vision, LLM, and AI techniques to real construction documents (blueprints, plans, specs)

  • Ship initial prototypes fast, then iterate based on direct user feedback

  • Help design and coordinate a model-garden architecture for blueprint understanding

  • Work on object detection models and supporting ML pipelines in production

What We're Looking For

Required:

  • Hands-on applied Computer Vision and ML/Deep Learning experience

  • Strong Python skills

  • Proven 0-to-1 builder — you have shipped AI/ML systems to production

  • Growth mindset: we value trajectory over pedigree

  • Comfortable with ambiguity, early-stage grind, and getting deep into hard problems

  • Communicates with empathy and honesty

Nice to Have:

  • Prior founder or startup experience — you've built something people used or paid for

  • Background in construction, architecture, or related trades

  • Impact-driven mindset aligned with making housing and infrastructure more accessible

Compensation & Details

  • Salary: $100,000 – $180,000 USD annually

  • Employment: Full-time

  • Visa sponsorship: Not available

Location

This role is fully on-site in San Francisco, CA. Candidates must be SF-based or willing to relocate.

Clera

Website: https://www.getclera.com/

Headquarter Location: San Francisco, California, United States

Employee Count: 1-10

Year Founded: 2025

IPO Status: Private

Last Funding Type: Pre-Seed

Industries: Artificial Intelligence (AI) ⋅ Career Planning ⋅ Information Technology ⋅ Recruiting