Founding Machine Learning Engineer, AI

Recruiting From Scratch; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative startup is seeking a Founding Machine Learning Engineer to drive AI experimentation and develop novel applications that enhance remote work. As part of a new team, you will explore how AI can reshape knowledge work in a virtual environment, contributing to cutting-edge projects that blend in-person collaboration with the flexibility of remote teams. This is a unique opportunity to work in a fast-growing company that values creativity and ownership, offering competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package. Join a passionate team and make a significant impact in the future of work.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with matching program

Generous PTO and mental health days

Bi-weekly meal stipend

Stipends for remote work setup

Family planning and gender affirmation support

Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of AI

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience fine-tuning large language models for production.
• Strong understanding of LLM behavior and deployment nuances.

Responsibilities

• Drive AI experimentation strategy and define the roadmap for internal tools.
• Design and build novel approaches to fine-tune large language models.

Skills

Fine-tuning large language models

Python

TypeScript

Node.js

React

AI experimentation

Education

Undergraduate degree in Computer Science

Tools

TRL

LoRA/QLoRA

Axolotl

Job description

Who is Recruiting from Scratch:

Recruiting from Scratch is a talent firm that focuses on placing the best candidate for our clients. Our team is 100% remote and we work with teams across North America, South America, and Europe to help them hire.

https://www.recruitingfromscratch.com/

Title of Role: Founding Machine Learning Engineer (AI Experiments)
Location: Remote (US & Canada)
Company Stage of Funding: Series B
Office Type: Remote
Salary: $180,000–$250,000 + Equity

Company Description

Our client is a fast-growing, venture-backed startup revolutionizing remote work by creating immersive virtual office spaces that blend the energy of in-person collaboration with the flexibility of distributed teams. With over 100,000 weekly users and customers ranging from Fortune 500s to dynamic startups, this company is uniquely positioned to reimagine how people connect, collaborate, and create in the digital workplace.

Backed by leading investors including Sequoia, Y Combinator, and Index Ventures, they’ve raised over $77M and built a passionate team of ~50. Despite the growth, the team remains tight-knit and mission-driven, with a strong culture of ownership, innovation, and impact.

This role is part of a brand-new team exploring how AI can reshape knowledge work in a virtual environment—think of it as an innovation lab with real-world reach.

What You Will Do

• Drive AI experimentation strategy and define the roadmap for internal tools and systems that enhance productivity.
• Design, build, and iterate on novel approaches to fine-tune large language models using proprietary company data.
• Develop practical applications of machine learning that transform real employee workflows.
• Mentor and collaborate with fellow engineers to foster a culture of creativity and rigor in AI development.
• Contribute to the open AI/ML community through publications or open-source work where appropriate.

Some recent experiments from the team include:

• An internal ChatGPT system enhanced via RAG over company documentation and codebases.
• A Slack bot that acts as an internal Q&A assistant for engineering questions.
• A VSCode plugin that automatically generates tests.
• Cross-platform context systems that unify developer environments, chat logs, and browser history.

Ideal Candidate Background

• 2–5 years of experience fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) for production use cases.
• Strong understanding of LLM behavior, model debugging, and the nuances of deployment in startup environments.
• History of working in fast-paced, ambiguous settings where experimentation and ownership are vital.
• Prior experience in a high-growth startup environment (<100 employees) or open-source communities solving real-world problems at scale.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or related field from a top university (e.g., CMU, Berkeley, UW).

Preferred

• Experience with fine-tuning frameworks like TRL, LoRA/QLoRA, Axolotl.
• Skilled in Python, with additional comfort in TypeScript, Node.js, and React.
• Demonstrated contributions to open-source projects or published research in ML/AI.
• Passion for creating tools that make remote work more effective, human, and delightful.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and thrives in a culture of experimentation.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: $180,000 – $250,000
• Competitive equity package (RSUs)
• Visa sponsorship available (including TN transfers)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• 401(k) with matching program
• Generous PTO and mental health days
• Bi-weekly meal stipend
• Stipends for remote work setup, education, and wellness
• Family planning and gender affirmation support
• 100% remote work with a virtual office platform built in-house
• Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of AI + remote work