Founding Engineer (Backend, AI/ML)

Position Overview

CoffeeSpace is hiring a Founding Engineer (Backend + AI/ML) in-person in San Francisco. As the first engineering hire outside the founding team, you’ll own core systems, drive architectural decisions, and help shape the future of the product and company by shipping fast and solving real problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Own core systems and ship fast product features.
• Build and scale backend systems to support over 100K users.
• Design efficient, scalable data pipelines and maintain clean APIs.
• Drive architectural decisions and collaborate on AI/ML integrations (e.g., RAG, semantic search, recommendations).
• Take full ownership from coding to deployment while influencing product direction.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 1+ years of hands-on backend development experience (fresh graduates with internship experience are welcome).
• Proven experience building scalable systems and well-structured APIs.
• Solid understanding of AI/ML applications, including techniques like semantic search, recommendations, and RAG.
• Proficiency in Node.js and Python, with familiarity in using GCP, Firestore, Algolia, and Qdrant.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-paced startup environments with a builder mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to both startup and major tech company environments.
• Experience in shaping product strategy and technical ownership.
• Familiarity with low/no-code tools is a plus.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: Base salary of $120K-$150K plus Equity: 1-3% based on experience and scope.
• Work in-person at our San Francisco office alongside a dynamic founding team.
• Opportunity to impact the future direction of an innovative AI-powered startup.
• Collaborative environment with a clear path to full-time leadership.