Founding Engineer ($180K – $225K + Equity) at a16z-backed autonomous AI app factory
Jack & Jill · San Francisco, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $225,000 / year
- San Francisco, CA
Job highlights
- Build and scale an autonomous AI app factory.
- Ship one micro-app weekly.
- Work with elite AI researchers.
- Utilize cutting-edge AI-native stack.
- Target $1M ARR milestone.
About the role
Founding Engineer
Join a high-velocity team building an autonomous app factory that ships one niche application weekly. As a Founding Engineer, you will build end-to-end production software and automate the underlying engineering pipeline. You’ll work directly with serial founders to scale micro-apps toward $1M ARR using a cutting-edge AI-native stack.
About Jack & Jill
Jack is an AI that gets to know candidates and helps them find dream jobs. Jill is an AI Recruiter who works with companies to understand their hiring needs and then recruits from Jack's network to make introductions.
What You Will Do
- Ship one complete micro-app per week, managing the full lifecycle from ideation and design to production deployment and customer acquisition.
- Extract repeatable patterns from manual development to build automated platform systems for UI, RAG, and cross-promotion.
- Contribute to reaching a $1M ARR milestone on at least one portfolio app within your first year through rapid iteration.
The Ideal Candidate
- 5+ years of experience building and scaling production-grade software used by thousands of real users in a professional setting.
- Expert-level proficiency in TypeScript, React, Node, Python, and SwiftUI with a bias toward simple, effective architectures.
- Native fluency with AI development tools like Cursor and Claude, treating LLMs as core infrastructure rather than just productivity hacks.
Why This Role Is Remarkable
- Work directly with an elite founding team of AI researchers from Google Brain and DeepMind who previously scaled a YC company to $60M+ in transactions.
- Benefit from world-class backing by a16z, Uncork Capital, and YC Partners, alongside angel investors like the founder of Superhuman.
- Shape the future of software by building a system that captures niche markets through compounding AI leverage, owning 100% of the value created.
Next Steps
Visit the job listing, click 'Talk to Jack', and have a conversation so he can understand your experience and ambitions. Jack will ensure Jill considers you for this role. If Jill deems you a great fit and her client wishes to meet, an introduction will be made. If not, Jack will find excellent alternatives.
Key skills/competency
- Founding Engineer
- AI App Factory
- TypeScript
- React
- Node.js
- Python
- SwiftUI
- AI Development Tools
- LLMs
- Production Software
Skills & topics
- Founding Engineer
- AI
- Software Engineering
- TypeScript
- React
- Node.js
- Python
- SwiftUI
- LLM
- Startup
How to get hired
- Engage with Jack: Initiate your application by talking to Jack, the AI, to discuss your experience and career goals.
- Connect with Jill: Jack will facilitate an introduction to Jill, the AI Recruiter, for this Founding Engineer role.
- Showcase AI Proficiency: Highlight your native fluency with AI development tools like Cursor and Claude in your application.
- Emphasize Production Experience: Detail your 5+ years of experience building and scaling production-grade software used by thousands of users.
- Highlight Technical Skills: Emphasize your expert-level proficiency in TypeScript, React, Node, Python, and SwiftUI.
Technical preparation
Master TypeScript, React, Node, Python, SwiftUI.,Practice building scalable production software.,Become fluent with AI tools like Cursor.,Understand LLMs as core infrastructure.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you shipped software weekly.,How do you automate complex pipelines?,How do you collaborate with founders?,How do you prioritize features for $1M ARR?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the role of Jack and Jill in the hiring process for the Founding Engineer position?
- Jack is an AI that helps candidates find their dream job by understanding their experience and aspirations. Jill is an AI Recruiter who works with companies to identify suitable candidates from Jack's network for roles like the Founding Engineer position.
- What kind of technical expertise is required for the Founding Engineer role?
- The Founding Engineer role requires expert-level proficiency in TypeScript, React, Node, Python, and SwiftUI, with a strong understanding of AI development tools like Cursor and Claude. Experience in building and scaling production-grade software used by thousands of users is also essential.
- What is the compensation for the Founding Engineer role?
- The Founding Engineer position offers a salary of $180K – $225K plus equity. This reflects the senior and foundational nature of the role within a fast-growing startup.
- What is the company's mission as an AI app factory?
- The company aims to build an autonomous AI app factory capable of shipping one niche application weekly. The goal is to capture niche markets through AI leverage and scale micro-apps towards $1M ARR.
- What is the work arrangement for the Founding Engineer position?
- The job description explicitly states the location as San Francisco, USA, indicating an on-site work arrangement for the Founding Engineer role.
- Who are the key investors backing this autonomous AI app factory?
- This autonomous AI app factory is backed by prominent investors including a16z, Uncork Capital, and YC Partners, along with angel investors like the founder of Superhuman.
- What are the key responsibilities of a Founding Engineer at this company?
- The Founding Engineer will build end-to-end production software, automate the engineering pipeline, and ship complete micro-apps weekly. This includes managing the full lifecycle from ideation to deployment and customer acquisition.
- How can I apply for the Founding Engineer job at this a16z-backed company?
- To apply for the Founding Engineer job, visit the provided job listing link, click 'Talk to Jack', and engage in a conversation. This will help Jack understand your profile and facilitate your introduction to Jill, the AI Recruiter.