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David Careers

Software Engineer (Desktop + Backend)

Posted today

horizonai talentMillbrae (CA)
Software DevelopersSoftware Publishers

SENIORITY

Lead

SALARY

$180,000 per year

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About the role

Hardware engineers are quick at the first sketch. Then they lose weeks to the tedious, repetitive work that sits between the concept and the final design. Our client is building AI-powered CAD to cut that out, with a foundation model for physical design and manufacturing underneath it. Founded in 2024 by early Cruise Automation engineers, they're YC-backed and have just closed a $7.4M seed led by Insight Partners. The team is only 4 people and about to double, so this is a chance to get in on the ground floor of something that's going to be huge. They need a software engineer who builds real applications, not just services. The product lives on engineers' desktops, so this is native Windows and macOS work as much as it is backend.
What you'll do:
  • Own core systems end to end, from a fuzzy problem to a shipped, maintained product
  • Build and ship the desktop application on Windows and macOS, including packaging and code signing
  • Design the backend behind it: Python services, databases, AWSWork directly with the founders to turn goals into a technical roadmap, then set the engineering bar as the team grows
  • What they're looking for 7+ years building and shipping production software
  • Applications you've built end to end: desktop ideally (C++, C#/.NET, Swift/Cocoa, Qt), though web counts. Not only backend
  • Deep Python and real backend experience: databases, AWS or GCP, services that scale
  • A long-term system you architected, led and stuck with through the bug‑fixing and polish
  • Breadth across more than one domain, plus startup or founder experience ideally
Bonus points for game development, CAD or 3D software. C#/.NET helps too, since some add-ins are C#.Probably not for you if you've only worked on backend services, or your background is mostly ML engineering. Both are useful, but this seat needs someone who ships applications. The detail Onsite in San Mateo, with relocation considered case by case$180K–$250K base plus up to 0.7% equity Process: a technical call with the CEO, a call with the CTO, an 8-hour take-home (AI tools allowed) and an onsite with both founders

Before you apply

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A number in mind

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Your notice period

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Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.

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