ForgeApply · Job listing
Founding Engineer (Applied AI)
Clera
See all 118 open roles at Clera →
Tailor your resume for this Clera job in about a minute.
ForgeApply rewrites your resume for this exact posting, then autofills the application on Clera's site with it. You review everything before it's sent. Free trial, no card required.
About this role
ABOUT THE ROLE
Join a small, high-impact team at the frontier of construction technology. This early-stage company uses a model-garden approach to automate blueprint understanding, material takeoffs, and cost estimation — making construction faster and more affordable. As a Founding Engineer (Applied AI), you'll own the intelligence layer: advancing computer vision and AI systems from research to production prototypes that real users rely on every day.
This is a rare opportunity for a builder who wants to go deep on applied CV/ML in a domain ripe for disruption, work directly alongside the founders, and have outsized influence on product and technical direction from day one.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Own and advance the intelligence layer — computer vision, LLMs, and AI systems — rather than the application layer.
- Apply the latest computer vision models and AI techniques to real construction workflows (e.g., object detection, document understanding, material quantification).
- Ship working prototypes quickly and iterate based on direct user feedback.
- Coordinate and orchestrate multiple ML models to solve complex, end-to-end estimation problems.
- Embrace "schlep" work — the unglamorous but critical groundwork that makes early-stage products real.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Required:
- Demonstrated 0-to-1 builder experience — you've shipped AI systems to production.
- Strong applied skills in Computer Vision, Deep Learning, and Machine Learning.
- Proficiency in Python and modern ML/CV tooling.
- Growth mindset: you value slope over y-intercept and thrive in ambiguity.
- Clear, empathetic communicator — honest about what's working and what isn't.
- Willingness to do whatever it takes, including unglamorous foundational work.
- US Citizenship required (no visa sponsorship available).
- Based in San Francisco or willing to relocate; role is full-time, in-office.
Nice to Have:
- Background in construction, estimating, or the built environment.
- Experience as a founder or early employee at a startup where you built something people used or paid for.
- Impact-driven mindset with a desire to work on problems that matter at scale.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- Salary: $120,000 – $180,000 USD annually (depending on experience)
- Early-stage equity
- Full-time, permanent position
LOCATION
- San Francisco, CA, United States
- Full-time, in-office — relocation welcome
- Remote work is not available for this role
- Visa sponsorship: not available
Salary insight
The midpoint of this range ($150k) is about 25% below the median disclosed salary for San Francisco roles listed on ForgeApply ($200k across 8,589 jobs).
Based on live postings with disclosed pay on ForgeApply; refreshed daily. Not an estimate of this employer's offer.
Tailor your resume for this Clera role before you apply.
Tailor my resume for this jobSimilar jobs
- Founding Engineer (AI) — Momentic · San Francisco
- Founding Engineer, Applied AI Lead — Equi · New York (on-site)
- Founding Applied AI Engineer — Atlas · San Francisco
- Founding AI Engineer — Bild AI · San Francisco
- Founding AI Engineer — Kos.ai · San Francisco
- Founding AI Engineer — Falconer · San Francisco, Bay Area
- Founding AI Engineer — Everstar · New York City
- Founding AI Engineer — Clera · San Francisco
Free ATS checker · How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description (Step by Step)