Founding Product Engineer
Clera· San Francisco, United States·
About the Role
Join a small, impact-driven product team at a seed-stage AI startup transforming the construction industry. The company builds computer vision and AI solutions that simplify blueprint reading, cost estimation, and permit applications — helping teams deliver more homes, hospitals, and schools faster and with less waste.
As a Founding Product Engineer, you'll be one of the earliest engineers on the team, owning features end-to-end, working directly with customers, and helping shape the product and company from the ground up. This is a high-ownership, high-impact role for someone who loves building things people actually use.
What You'll Do
Own features end-to-end — from customer discovery to shipping in production.
Interview customers weekly and translate messy domain knowledge into clear, useful product decisions.
Build intuitive UIs that make complex blueprint and hardware data feel simple for users accustomed to paper-based workflows.
Contribute across the full stack: React frontend, Python backend, and infrastructure.
Act as a 0-to-1 architect and builder, taking ideas from concept to production.
Shape product direction — not just implementation details.
Apply strong product taste to how things look, feel, and work for real users.
Communicate with empathy and honesty within the team and directly with customers.
Roll up your sleeves for the operational "schlep" that keeps a seed-stage startup moving.
What We're Looking For
Must-haves:
Demonstrated ability to build and ship full-stack software (React frontend + Python backend); open to all experience levels including new grads.
Experience owning features end-to-end — from discovery through to shipping.
Track record of interviewing customers and turning their feedback into product decisions.
Experience building and maintaining Python-based backend services and deployment/infrastructure.
Willingness to work in-office in San Francisco and eligibility to work in the US (US citizen or valid existing visa — no sponsorship available).
Nice to have:
Previous experience as a founder or early startup employee who shipped a product used or paid for by customers.
Construction, blueprint, or related domain knowledge or a genuine interest in the industry.
Strong product taste and user-focused design sensibility.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: $120,000 – $180,000 USD annually
Early-stage equity opportunity
High-ownership, founding-team role with significant influence over product direction
Location
San Francisco, CA, USA — full-time, in-office
Candidates must be based in SF or willing to relocate
Visa sponsorship: Not available — US work authorization required