Founding Software Engineer

Applied Talent Solutions provided pay range

This range is provided by Applied Talent Solutions. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$180,000.00/yr - $240,000.00/yr

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Founding Software Engineer (AI/Developer Tools)

We’re looking for a founding software engineer to help build the core developer platform that will redefine how chips are designed. This is not a typical full-stack role - you’ll be architecting and shipping a high-performance environment purpose-built for chip engineers, integrating advanced AI models, multi-agent systems, and specialized visual tooling.

If you love building developer tools or IDEs, have experience integrating AI into products, and thrive in the fast pace of an early-stage startup, this is an opportunity to make an outsized impact from day one.

What you’ll do

• Integrate AI features in close collaboration with ML engineers (autocomplete, refactoring tools, visual simulation).
• Architect core developer workflows, similar to Cursor/Windsurf but specialized for RTL and chip design.
• Drive performance optimization so the IDE can handle massive chip design codebases without lag.
• Lead technical architecture and product decisions for chip-specialized developer tools.
• Ship rapidly - meaningful contributions expected every other day.

What we’re looking for

• Full-stack engineer with strong backend focus and TypeScript/Python fluency.
• Experience building developer tools/IDEs/VSCode extensions or shipping AI-integrated features .
• Startup DNA: proven ability to thrive in early-stage or high-growth environments.
• High raw intelligence signals - competitive programming, math-heavy research, or strong CS fundamentals.
• Rare chance to build the core platform that brings the AI revolution to semiconductor design.
• Backed by leading AI and chip industry angels (including chief scientists and top founders).
• Work alongside Stanford/Harvard researchers and ex-NVIDIA scientists.
• Mission-driven role to cut chip development from 3.5 years to 6–12 months.
• Compensation: $180,000 - $240,000 base + equity

Apply if you’re ready to build end-to-end, own architectural decisions, and help revolutionize how the next generation of chips gets designed.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering, Information Technology, and Product Management

• Industries

  Semiconductor Manufacturing, IT System Custom Software Development, and Software Development

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Inferred from the description for this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

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