Founding Full-Stack Engineer

Weekday; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering tech startup in San Francisco is seeking a founding engineer to help build their core product from the ground up. This hands-on role demands a product-minded individual who thrives in startup environments. Responsibilities include building robust frontend and backend features, designing APIs, and collaborating closely with founders and designers. Ideal candidates should have strong skills in TypeScript, React, and Node.js. This position offers an exciting chance for ownership in a transformative tech landscape.

Qualifications

• 2–8 years of experience in relevant roles.
• Strong background in building web products.
• Product-minded with a sense of high ownership.

Responsibilities

• Build end-to-end product features across frontend and backend.
• Ship quickly in 0→1 environments.
• Design APIs, schemas, and workflows.
• Partner closely with founders and design teams.
• Establish best engineering practices.
• Use AI tools to improve efficiency.
• Use modern AI developer tools to move faster (LLM copilots, agent workflows, testing automation).

Skills

TypeScript

React

Node.js

Production web products

Startup experience

Independent work

AI tooling

Tools

Next.js

Postgres

Redis

AWS

GCP

Docker

CI/CD

GitHub

Job description

Overview

• Location: San Francisco (On-site)
• Experience: 2–8 years
• Stage: Seed → Series B
• Role Type: Early hire / founding engineer

Why This Role Exists

You’ll help build the core product from the ground up. This is a hands-on role for someone who loves shipping, thrives in ambiguity, and wants ownership over major product surfaces at an early-stage company.

What You’ll Do

• Build end-to-end product features across frontend and backend
• Ship quickly in 0→1 environments
• Design APIs, schemas, and workflows
• Partner closely with founders, product, and design
• Improve reliability, performance, and developer experience
• Establish engineering best practices
• Use modern AI developer tools to move faster (LLM copilots, agent workflows, testing automation)

What We’re Looking For

• Strong TypeScript, React, and Node.js
• Experience shipping production web products
• Startup or founding-engineer background (or equivalent)
• Product-minded builder with high ownership
• Comfortable working independently in small teams

Nice to Have

• Next.js
• Postgres / Redis
• AWS / GCP
• Experience integrating LLM APIs or AI tooling
• Docker & CI/CD
• Active GitHub presence