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Fractional AIFractional AISan Francisco, CA

Senior / Staff Software Engineer (SF/NY)

Senior/Staff Software Engineer builds end-to-end AI products for clients, spending 75% time coding and 25% with stakeholders like CTOs. Requires 8+ years experience shipping products, applying software engineering to AI systems with high ownership.

230k – 350k
Hybrid8+ YOEML Engineering

About the role

Responsibilities

  • Own end-to-end technical outcomes on a small team (2–5 engineers and a PM) building AI products for clients.
  • Set technical direction, write code (75% of time), and solve hard problems.
  • Work directly with clients (25% of time), including CTOs, to understand problems, discuss tradeoffs, and ensure solutions meet needs.

Requirements

  • 8+ years of engineering experience with deep care for the craft.
  • Shipped multiple complete products end-to-end and write elegant, production-ready code across multiple disciplines.
  • Specific interest in applying software engineering fundamentals to AI systems, balancing frontier model capabilities with good system design.
  • Comfort talking with senior technical stakeholders and navigating conversations skillfully.
  • High ownership mindset: jump in without instruction, embrace "no job too big, no job too small," shape strategy and culture.
  • Low ego, high integrity: help others, ask for help, hold high bar for honesty.

Nice-to-Haves

  • Experience as former engineering leaders (IC or EM) or founders.
  • Interest in Applied AI engineering practices.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive compensation package aligned with experience and skills.
  • 401k with matching.
  • Unlimited PTO.
  • Exceptional medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Health FSA.
  • Commuter benefits.
  • Life insurance.
  • Team events and activities.

Skills

PythonLLMsAi SystemsSystem DesignProduction AiEval FrameworksAPI IntegrationsData CurationKubernetes

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