Founding AI/Systems Engineer 100%

Zohorecruit; Zürich; Hybrid; CHF 120.000 - 190.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Generous equity package

High technical autonomy

Zurich-based with remote flexibility

Opportunity to shape architecture and

Zusammenfassung

Our client, an early-stage industrial tech startup, seeks a Founding AI / Systems Engineer to own the architecture and roadmap across AI, backend and hardware. Zurich-based with remote flexibility, you will blend TypeScript/Python work with systems languages to connect AI agents to industrial hardware.

You’ll work on OPC UA, Modbus and EtherCAT, design secure boundaries, and take ownership in a fast-moving startup environment focused on practical, safe automation solutions.

Qualifikationen

• Strong TypeScript or Python skills with a systems language (C++, Rust, Go or Zig).
• Experience with industrial data, ideally OPC UA.
• Conceptual understanding of PLC programming.
• Solid Linux and systems fundamentals.
• Comfortable with hardware and industrial networks.
• Ability to own architecture decisions in a startup.

Aufgaben

• Build AI integrations, introspection pipelines and MCP servers using TS/Python.
• Develop core systems and deterministic safety mechanisms in C++, Rust, Go or Zig.
• Design secure API boundaries and process isolation with physical machinery.
• Work with OPC UA, Modbus and EtherCAT for industrial data flows.
• Debug hardware and support customer deployments.
• Own the technical architecture and roadmap.

Kenntnisse

TypeScript

Python

C++

Rust

Go

Zig

Linux basics

OPC UA

PLC programming

Industrial networks

API design

Systems architecture

Hardware debugging

Safety mechanisms

Problem solving

Tools

LangChain

DeepSeek

MCP servers

Jobbeschreibung

Employment type: Permanent, full-time (100%)

Start date: As soon as possible

Management responsibility: No

Working model: Primarily in person in Zurich (around 2 days/week), with flexibility for remote work where appropriate

Stage: Early-stage startup / Founding Engineering Team

About Our Client

Our client is an early-stage industrial technology startup developing an AI-driven software platform for industrial automation.

The company connects modern AI systems with traditional industrial hardware, enabling AI agents to diagnose issues and safely support interventions on physical machinery.

With a working MVP and first paying customers, the company is now looking for its first engineering hire to take ownership of the technical roadmap and architecture.

The Role

The Founding AI / Systems Engineer will work across AI, backend systems, industrial automation and physical hardware.

Key responsibilities include:

• Building AI integrations, introspection pipelines and MCP servers using TypeScript / Python and frameworks such as DeepSeek or LangChain
• Developing core systems and deterministic safety mechanisms using C++, Go, Rust or Zig
• Designing secure API boundaries, process isolation and fail-safe mechanisms between AI logic and physical machinery
• Working with industrial protocols such as OPC UA, Modbus and EtherCAT
• Debugging physical hardware and supporting customer deployments
• Taking significant ownership of the technical architecture and roadmap

The Profile

The ideal candidate is a “Polyglot Systems Hacker” — neither a pure AI researcher nor a traditional embedded engineer.

Strong TypeScript or Python skills plus experience with a systems language such as C++, Rust, Go or Zig

Previous experience working with industrial data, ideally OPC UA

Conceptual understanding of PLC programming

Solid Linux and systems fundamentals

Comfortable working directly with physical hardware and industrial networks

Strong understanding of API boundaries, process isolation and safety mechanisms

Pragmatic mindset with the ability to prototype quickly and operate in an environment of high uncertainty

Startup experience is not required. The key is the ability to take ownership, make architectural decisions independently and turn real-world problems into practical solutions.

What Makes the Role Interesting

The position combines approximately:

• 33% AI integrations — TypeScript/Python, MCP, AI-agent frameworks
• 33% Core Systems — C++/Go/Rust/Zig, SDK development and deterministic safety mechanisms
• 33% Hardware & Customer Deployment — industrial networks, physical hardware and troubleshooting

The role offers genuine technical ownership and the opportunity to shape the architecture of a new industrial software platform from an early stage.

First 90 Days

A key initial objective is to develop a proof of concept in which an AI agent can diagnose a real industrial hardware issue and safely support a modification to a running PLC system, subject to deterministic safety controls.

Package

• Generous equity package
• High degree of technical autonomy
• Opportunity to shape the technical architecture and future engineering team
• Zurich-based with flexibility for remote work where appropriate