Founding ML Engineer / Series A / NYC / $250k + Founding Equity
Role summary
We are seeking a Founding AI/ML Engineer to build the production intelligence layer for autonomous heavy machinery in a Series A robotics startup based in NYC. This role focuses on deploying LLMs for critical operational logic, building RAG pipelines, and ensuring model safety and reliability for systems operating 24/7 in the field. The ideal candidate has production ML experience, mastery of LLM fine-tuning and RAG, and a systems-thinking approach. This is a high-impact, hands-on role with significant founding equity, requiring NYC residency and US citizenship.
Founding AI/ML Engineer (Production) - NYC - $250k-$500k+ + Founding Equity
*We’re hiring for one of NYC’s top 10 robotics startups. If you’re an elite engineer looking to join an A squad-builders from SpaceX, Palantir, Google & Anduril - this is where you want to be.*
\*
Most AI roles are currently focused on generating pixels or text. This team are using LLMs to command multi-ton autonomous machines.
*Must be based in NYC & role requires US citizenship due to regulatory constraints.*
We need a
Founding AI/ML Engineer
to build the production intelligence layer for autonomous heavy machinery. This isn't a research lab. We have real robots, real customers, and systems operating in the field 24/7. Your work won't just generate tokens; it will drive physical outcomes.
The Work
This is a 100% production role focused on critical AI infrastructure. You are responsible for the intelligence that allows multi-ton machines to act on complex environments.
- Production LLMs:
Fine-tuning and deploying models that handle mission-critical operational logic.
- Systems & Infra:
Building the RAG pipelines and data flywheels that power our fleet’s intelligence.
- Evals & Determinism:
Designing evaluation frameworks to ensure model outputs are safe and reliable enough for heavy hardware.
- Problem Solving:
Moving from raw telemetry to deployed models. You own the pipeline, the tuning, and the performance in the field.
The Team
You’ll be joining a high-density team from
SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril
. We’ve stripped away the typical corporate friction-no bloated meetings or research for the sake of research. We hire for high agency and low ego. As a founding hire, you aren't just training models; you’re architecting the intelligence of the company.
What we're looking for
We want high-signal builders who are bored with "wrapper" apps and want to solve hard problems grounded in physics.
- Production Grit:
You’ve shipped ML systems at scale. You care about inference latency and reliability more than "vibe checks."
- LLM Mastery:
Deep experience with fine-tuning, RAG, and prompt engineering in high-stakes environments.
- Systems Thinker:
You understand the full stack. You know how to optimize models to run efficiently and how to build the infra that supports them.
- High-Bar Pedigree:
You’ve worked in environments where the standard for "production-ready" is exceptionally high.
Stack & Comp
- Stack:
Python, PyTorch, LLMs, RAG, Vector DBs, Kubernetes.
- Location:
NYC (Manhattan) - On-site/Hybrid.
- Comp:
$250k - $500k+ base +
Founding Member Equity
.
The Process:
1 Week & 0 Take-Homes
We move as fast as we ship. We can go from first touch to offer in one week:
1. (Founders) Technical Deep Dive:
A conversation about the most complex AI system you’ve actually shipped.
2. (Team)Practical Pairing:
Solving a real-world production ML or data infra problem together.
No Leetcode.
3. (Exec) Founding Team Chat:
A focus on judgment, trade-offs & vision.
If you’re ready to put AI into the physical world, let’s talk.
TL;DR
- Role:
Founding AI/ML Engineer (Production)
- Focus:
Fine-tuning, Evals, and RAG for Robotics
- Team:
Ex-SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, Google
- Comp:
$250k - $500k+ base + Founding Equity
- Process:
1 week. 3 rounds.
Equal Opportunity
We're hiring for an Equal Opportunity Employer.
\*All our new jobs are posted here 1st:
linkedin.com/in/sufyanbashir/