Founding Software Engineer (PhD)
mentor talent acquisitionBrooklyn (NY)
Founding Software Engineer (PhD)
Posted 13 days ago
mentor talent acquisitionBrooklyn (NY)
SENIORITY
Lead
About the role
We're an AI lab built differently. We work where database systems meet interoperability, and our direction comes from the actual problems our enterprise partners face. We're drawn to work that's difficult, purposeful and fun all at once. Our best days start with a hard problem on the whiteboard, run through stretches of coding and testing ideas and end with an empty pizza box and a solved problem. At our core, we're people who build because we enjoy it, chase problems that haven't been cracked yet and always end up thinking past what was originally asked.
💡 About the Role:
We're bringing on a Founding Software Engineer to build products from zero and turn raw research concepts into functioning systems. The work spans product development, co-authoring papers for top scientific conferences and contributing to our open-source projects. This role comes with real ownership. You'll be part of building an applied AI research lab from the ground floor, and the equity reflects that level of responsibility.🔨 Who We're Looking ForPeople who: Are currently pursuing a PhD or already hold one. We operate as a research lab, so every technical hire is expected to publish; Bring hands-on building experience, from hackathons to side projects to products actually shipped (extra credit if it scaled); Generate ideas nonstop. Give them one feature to build and they'll return with three more suggestions unprompted; Are drawn to collaborating closely with PhD researchers on new directions in AI, ML and database systems; Take full ownership of what they build from start to finish.
🔬 Who We Are:
Growing quickly: pre-seed round closed, partnerships secured with leading universities and a major enterprise client signed, all inside a few months; Operating from two well-regarded academic campuses; Founded by a technical lead holding a PhD in computer science from a top-ranked program; Focused on publishing at major scientific venues multiple times per year, crediting every technical team member as an author. A PhD in progress or already completed is not a must, but a great differential for this role. As a research lab, we expect every technical team member to publish.
Before you apply
Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.
Your profile is current
It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.
Two examples you can talk through
Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.
A number in mind
What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.
Your notice period
Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.
Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.