Founding Engineer (Applied AI)

Wwshemi; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Wwshemi is an early-stage construction technology company seeking its founding applied AI engineer to build the intelligence layer behind tools that interpret construction blueprints and support faster, more accurate project estimation.

You will prototype quickly using computer vision and ML, evaluate models, and push solutions to production while collaborating with users. This is an on-site role in San Francisco with visa sponsorship not available.

Qualifications

• Hands-on CV/ML experience with Python and deep learning.
• Experience taking an AI system from concept to production.
• Ability to tackle ambiguous early-stage problems.
• Strong communication and candid feedback.
• Motivation to improve housing affordability through construction workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop and improve computer vision, machine learning, and AI systems, focusing on the intelligence layer rather than the application layer.
• Evaluate and apply current computer vision models, large language models, and other AI approaches to challenging construction data problems.
• Build and ship initial prototypes quickly, then refine them using feedback from users.
• Contribute pragmatically to early-stage product work beyond core modeling when needed.

Skills

Applied computer vision

Machine learning

Python

Deep learning

Production deployment

Communication

Job description

About the Role

Join an early-stage construction technology team as its founding applied AI engineer. You will build the intelligence layer behind tools that interpret construction blueprints and support faster, more efficient project estimation, with a focus on turning computer vision and AI research into useful prototypes.

What You'll Do

• Develop and improve computer vision, machine learning, and AI systems, focusing on the intelligence layer rather than the application layer.
• Evaluate and apply current computer vision models, large language models, and other AI approaches to challenging construction data problems.
• Build and ship initial prototypes quickly, then refine them using feedback from users.
• Contribute pragmatically to early-stage product work beyond core modeling when needed.

What We're Looking For

• Hands-on applied computer vision and machine learning experience, including Python and deep learning; candidates across experience levels are considered, from 0 to 10+ years.
• Experience taking an AI system from an initial concept to production deployment.
• Strong problem-solving ability, a growth mindset, and comfort tackling ambiguous challenges and practical early-stage work.
• Clear, empathetic, and candid communication, including openness about what is and is not working.
• Motivation to help make housing more affordable through improved construction workflows.
• Construction or social-impact experience is helpful, as is having built a product or tool that people adopted or paid for.
• Must be a US citizen and able to work full-time in the San Francisco office or relocate.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $120,000 to $180,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Location

On-site in San Francisco, California, United States. Full-time office attendance is expected.