Founding AI Engineer

About the job

Description : Role Overview : We are looking for a Founding AI Engineer to help design and build the core architecture of our autonomous AI engineer platform. This is a rare opportunity to work at the frontier of applied AI and systems engineering, solving deeply complex problems that blend advanced AI models with robust, scalable backend systems. As a founding member of the technical team, you will play a defining role in shaping not only the product, but also the technical roadmap, engineering culture, and long-term vision of Guickly. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, loves building from first principles, and wants to create something genuinely transformative from the ground up. Key Responsibilities : AI & Systems Architecture : - Design and build the core architecture powering an autonomous AI engineer. - Solve complex challenges at the intersection of AI models, orchestration layers, and backend systems. - Make foundational decisions around system design, scalability, reliability, and performance. Product & Customer Collaboration : - Work closely with design partners and early customers to deeply understand their needs. - Translate real-world use cases into elegant, high-impact AI-driven product capabilities. - Iterate rapidly based on feedback to deliver a product that feels intuitive, powerful, and magical. Foundational Ownership : - Define and influence the technical roadmap and long-term architectural direction. - Set engineering standards, best practices, and a culture of technical excellence. - Take end-to-end ownership from ideation and design to implementation and customer impact. Startup Execution : - Operate as a hands-on generalist, owning problems across the stack. - Navigate ambiguity with confidence and make sound trade-offs in fast-moving environments. - Collaborate closely with founders, product, and design to align technology with vision. Required Qualifications : - 7- 11 years of experience building complex software systems, with significant exposure to AI-driven or data-intensive products. - A deep, almost obsessive passion for building AI-powered systems and pushing technical boundaries. - Strong intuition for product quality, usability, and system elegance you care deeply about how things feel, not just how they work. - First-principles thinker with the ability to reason through undefined or ambiguous problems. - Proven ability to own problems end-to-end, from writing production code to engaging with customers. - Comfortable working across multiple layers of the stack (model integration, orchestration, backend systems). - Strong collaboration skills with a low-ego, high-impact mindset. What Sets You Apart : - You have an itch to build from scratch and the grit to see hard problems through. - You enjoy working in early-stage environments where ownership and impact are high. - You elevate the people around you through thoughtful collaboration and technical leadership. - You care about building products that feel intuitive, powerful, and differentiated not just functional. Why Join Guickly : - Be a founding engineer shaping the future of an autonomous AI engineer. - Work on technically and intellectually demanding problems at the frontier of AI and systems. - Influence the companys technical direction, culture, and long-term success. - Competitive compensation with meaningful equity ownership. - Opportunity to build something enduring from day one. (ref: hirist.tech)