Clera

Founding Engineer, Agents

  • LocationSan Francisco, California, United States
  • Listed21/10/2026
  • SalaryUS$350,000/yr
  • FieldSoftware engineering

Average of 11 Founding Engineer jobs in the United States we read: US$14,398/mo · updated October 22. A market reference, not this job's salary.

About the job

ABOUT THE ROLE

Build autonomous AI agents designed to handle complex work over extended periods with minimal human intervention. You will own core agent systems, memory, and evaluation, helping improve reliability and establish when agents can outperform people on specific tasks.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

  • Build agents that can pursue a goal over multiple weeks without human intervention.
  • Design memory systems that help agents retain knowledge and improve over time.
  • Develop evaluations to determine whether agents perform tasks better than the people who previously handled them.
  • Improve agent reliability while reducing the need for human review and oversight.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

  • Hands-on experience building production agents that people rely on, and a clear understanding of their current limitations.
  • At least 1 to 2 years of experience at a fast-growing or AI-focused startup.
  • Experience building evaluation systems that inform real-world decisions.
  • Evidence of impact through published research others build on or software shipped at meaningful scale.
  • Strong opinions on agent architecture are a plus.
  • Background in competitive math, programming, debate, games, startup founding, or participation in a leading accelerator is valued.
  • Collaborative, kind, and effective communication, including in challenging situations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary is $200,000 to $300,000 annually, with up to $350,000 for exceptional candidates. Meaningful founding equity is offered. Visa sponsorship is available.

LOCATION

On-site, five days a week in San Francisco, California, United States.

Job details

Company
Clera
Work model
On-site
Contract
Full time
Posted
21 October 2026
Advert site
jobs.ashbyhq.com

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