Founding AI Engineer

Alpha Associates Recruitment; United States; Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Founding-level equity

3% 401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Health & dental insurance

Life & disability cover

Wellness perks

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm seeks a Founding AI Engineer to work on real-world AI systems for U.S. public safety. This role involves deploying AI models, designing data pipelines, and contributing to advanced system development. Ideal candidates should have strong backend engineering experience, an adaptable mindset, and a passion for innovation in the AI space. The position offers a competitive salary and equity, along with comprehensive benefits including unlimited PTO and health coverage.

Qualifications

• Deep backend engineering experience with a focus on AI.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-moving AI landscape.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration.

Responsibilities

• Deploy LLMs, VLMs, and applied ML into production.
• Design data pipelines for both unstructured and structured data.
• Contribute to agentic system development.

Skills

Backend engineering experience with AI grounding

Curiosity and adaptability

Builder mindset

Job description

Co-Founder & Director at Alpha Associates Recruitment Ltd. (Manchester / Austin)

Founding AI Engineer / Member of Technical Staff

I’m partnered with an early‑stage, high‑calibre team building real‑world AI systems used across U.S. public safety. They’re hiring a founding‑level engineer with strong backend depth and practical AI deployment experience.

Responsibilities

• Deploying LLMs, VLMs, and applied ML into production
• Designing data pipelines for both unstructured and structured data
• Contributing to agentic system development that can reason, plan, and act

Qualifications

• Deep backend engineering experience with AI grounding
• Curiosity and adaptability in a fast‑moving AI landscape
• Builder mindset, comfortable with ambiguity and rapid iteration

Location

• NYC preferred
• Bay Area or US‑based hybrid available

Package

• $125k–$200k+ base
• Founding‑level equity
• 3% 401(k), unlimited PTO, health & dental, life & disability cover, wellness perks

Background checks required due to the nature of the work.

If you want to be a founding engineer shaping high‑impact AI systems, please apply!