Founding Engineer (Applied AI)
Clera
Apply to this jobAbout the Role
Join a small, high-impact team at an early-stage startup building cutting-edge AI to transform the construction industry. This company uses a model-garden approach to automate blueprint understanding, material takeoffs, and cost estimation — making construction projects faster and more affordable. As a Founding Engineer (Applied AI), you'll own the intelligence layer, taking the newest computer vision and LLM models from research to production-grade prototypes that real users rely on.
This is a full-time, in-office role based in San Francisco, CA.
What You'll Do
Focus on the intelligence layer — not the application layer — designing and advancing AI/CV/ML systems end-to-end.
Apply the latest computer vision models, large language models, and AI systems to real construction workflows.
Ship working prototypes quickly, then iterate based on direct user feedback.
Coordinate and orchestrate multiple ML models as part of a broader model-garden architecture.
Roll up your sleeves for "schlep" work — the unglamorous but essential parts of building early-stage products.
What We're Looking For
Required:
Hands-on applied experience with computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning.
Strong Python skills and comfort working close to the model layer.
Proven track record as a 0-to-1 builder — you've shipped AI systems to production.
Growth mindset: you value trajectory (slope) over where you started (y-intercept).
Communicates with empathy and honesty — candid about what's working and what isn't.
Based in San Francisco or willing to relocate; fully in-office.
Nice to Have:
Experience building a product that people used or paid for (founder or early startup experience).
Background in construction, estimating, or construction technology.
Impact-driven mindset with comfort operating in ambiguity.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $120,000 – $180,000 USD annually, depending on experience.
Early-stage equity opportunity as a founding team member.
Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
Location
San Francisco, CA, United States — full-time, in-office. Candidates must be local or willing to relocate.
Summary
Design and develop AI, CV, ML systems for construction workflows in a startup environment.
Job title
Founding Engineer (Applied AI)
Experience level
0+ years
Minimum experience
0+ years exp
Industry
software
Location requirements
in-office in San Francisco, CA; relocation required; no remote
Salary
$120k–$180k
Management role
No
Required skills
Preferred skills
Specializations
Structured locations inferred from the posting.
San Francisco, CA, USA