Clera is a talent-matching platform that replaces traditional job applications by connecting candidates and hiring teams through curated introductions.
ABOUT THE ROLE Join the founding team of an AI-first consumer startup tackling one of Gen Z's most pressing challenges: loneliness. The company organizes AI-powered small-group in-person hangouts every week, helping thousands of young people build real friendships — no app, no swiping, no ghosting. AI agents handle the entire experience end-to-end: onboarding, profiling, matching, logistics, reminders, follow-ups, and continuous learning. The team is expanding rapidly across hundreds of university campuses across the United States. As a Founding AI Engineer, you will be one of the earliest technical hires, working directly at the intersection of machine learning, social graph intelligence, and conversational AI agent infrastructure. This is a high-ownership, high-impact role for someone who thrives in fast-moving, ambiguous environments. WHAT YOU'LL DO AI Matching & Social Graphs - Build a novel social graph grounded in real-world interaction data, processing millions of data points across a growing user base - Design and iterate on group-matching algorithms that surface highly compatible friend groups - Implement collaborative filtering, graph embeddings, and ranking systems to drive personalization - Apply reinforcement learning from real-world outcomes to continuously improve match quality - Discover patterns in social data that lead to meaningful, lasting friendships Multi-Channel AI Agent Experiences - Design and build AI agent workflows that operate natively across channels users already use (e.g., Instagram, iMessage, WhatsApp, TikTok) - Orchestrate a suite of specialized AI agents handling distinct stages of the user journey - Integrate third-party messaging APIs and services into a cohesive, reliable agent infrastructure - Build scalable backend infrastructure to support AI workloads and multi-channel agent orchestration - Craft human-AI interaction patterns that feel natural, effortless, and trustworthy WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR Required - 0–4 years of hands-on experience building AI/ML systems in production, ideally in recommender or matching domains - Proven ability to build large-scale AI systems processing millions of data points - Strong proficiency in collaborative filtering, graph embeddings, and ranking systems - Experience applying reinforcement learning from real-world feedback to personalization problems - Experience designing AI agent experiences across multiple messaging channels and handling API integrations - Ability to architect scalable infrastructure for AI workloads and agent orchestration - Strong cross-functional communication skills; comfortable collaborating with product, design, and data science - Founding mindset: you ship fast, own problems end-to-end, and thrive in ambiguity - Must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship Nice to Have - Prior experience with social graph platforms or large-scale personalization systems - Familiarity with multi-agent orchestration frameworks - Background in consumer social or community-focused products COMPENSATION & BENEFITS - Salary: $150,000 – $200,000 USD per year - Equity: Meaningful founding equity package - Competitive benefits commensurate with an early-stage, well-resourced team LOCATION This is a fully on-site role based in San Francisco, California. The team works together in person. Visa sponsorship is not available; candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.