About the role

Clera is an early-stage AI marketing SaaS startup seeking a Founding Applied AI Engineer to own the quality and intelligence of multi-channel marketing agents. This role involves shaping agent architecture, building evaluation systems, and leading the growing AI team to deliver reliable product results.

Skills

Applied AI Machine Learning Large Language Models AI Agents TypeScript Next.js Python Evaluation Systems Search Engine Optimization Generative Engine Optimization Search and Ranking Recommendations Feedback Loops Data Pipelines AI Infrastructure Reinforcement Learning

Full job details

About the Role

As the first senior AI hire at an early-stage AI marketing SaaS startup, you will own the quality and intelligence of multi-channel marketing agents. You will work closely with the founder to shape the agent architecture, evaluation systems, and learning loops that help the product deliver reliable results.

What You'll Do

Improve agent output and content quality across social channels and article writing, making quality measurable through evaluation systems.
Improve performance across search engine optimization and generative engine optimization.
Build feedback loops that help agents learn from real-world results and performance signals.
Own and improve AI infrastructure, agent architecture, model strategy, and supporting data pipelines.
Help hire and lead the AI team as it grows.

What We're Looking For

At least 3 years building production machine learning or AI systems, including recent hands-on experience shipping LLM products or agents.
Experience designing evaluations and using outcome signals at scale in search, ranking, recommendations, or related domains.
Strong TypeScript, including Next.js, and Python skills for data analysis, evaluations, and model work, with a track record of shipping end to end.
Experience building feedback loops, improving production AI systems, and owning work in a startup or small team.
Familiarity with search, ranking, or AI answer engines; marketing experience is a plus, while recommendations, algorithms, or reinforcement learning experience is also relevant.

Compensation & Benefits

Annual base salary is $180,000 to $230,000 USD. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Location

On-site in San Francisco, California.