Founding Full Stack Software Engineer (Backend/AI Focus)
Location: Los Angeles, CA (100% On-site)
Compensation: $170,000 - $225,000 (Base Salary) + Significant Equity
We are an early-stage, YC-backed company building fully
autonomous AI agents powered by in-house models that can find, exploit, and patch complex vulnerabilities in web applications at massive scale. We are seeking a passionate
Founding Full Stack Software Engineer to build and scale the core systems. This is a high-impact role with a focus on
backend architecture and AI agent systems, directly addressing the speed and scale challenges posed by AI-generated code.
As a Founding Engineer, you will have significant responsibility for designing, developing, and maintaining our scalable, high-performance web applications and cutting-edge AI Agent systems. Your focus will be on the backend and AI components.
Key Responsibilities:
- System Design & Backend: Design and develop modular, reusable features primarily in Python. Build robust backend services via RESTful APIs and maintain complex features with a focus on performance and scalability
- AI Agent Systems: Design and create APIs in Python specifically powering our AI Agents. Build Agentic AI systems and the infrastructure to power agents for cybersecurity tasks
- Architecture & Optimization: Analyze and identify bottlenecks in the backend codebase, implementing solutions to optimize application performance. Build and design microservices and distributed systems (using tools like Docker and Kubernetes)
- Data & Database: Design efficient database systems and ensure strong proficiency and efficiency with Postgres SQL
- Best Practices: Implement features that adhere to software design best practices and maintain high code quality using Git-based workflows
Requirements
- Experience: 1-5 years of experience as a software engineer at a notable company (e.g., big tech, YC startup)
- Core Proficiency: Strong knowledge of Python, API Design, and Database systems
- AI/ML Expertise: Deep understanding of AI, particularly LLMs (Large Language Models), including advanced features and software design principles. Understanding of Agentic AI Architectures and experience creating AI Agents
- Backend Architecture: Strong understanding of API design principles and experience building scalable, optimized systems (including microservices and distributed systems knowledge)
- Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field
- Collaboration: Strong communication and collaboration skills, with experience working in cross-functional teams
Nice to Have:
- Experience post-training and serving LLM models
- Experience in Cybersecurity, understanding of web vulnerabilities, and working with security tools (Not required)
- Experience using AI tools like Cursor to improve development speed and quality
Benefits
- Equity & Compensation: Highly competitive salary ($170,000 - $225,000) and significant early-stage equity (0.25%-0.6%), reflecting the importance of a founding engineer
- Impact: A founding role where your work directly shapes the product and technical direction of a company building the future of automated cybersecurity
- Work Policy: 100% On-site work, 5 days per week, in the Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA office to foster maximum collaboration
- Relocation: Relocation support is available for candidates moving to the LA area
- Team: Join a small team of ambitious founders and engineers tackling a high-impact problem in the tech industry
- Visa Support: No visa sponsorship is available for this position
Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate, we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates. If you do not hear back from us within 4 weeks of your application, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. We genuinely appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your job search.
Commitment to Equality and Accessibility:
At MLabs, we are committed to offer equal opportunities to all candidates. We ensure no discrimination, accessible job adverts, and providing information in accessible formats. Our goal is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for all. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the hiring process or you would like to see the job-advert in an accessible format please let us know at the earliest opportunity by emailing human-resources@mlabs.city.
MLabs Ltd collects and processes the personal information you provide such as your contact details, work history, resume, and other relevant data for recruitment purposes only. This information is managed securely in accordance with MLabs Ltd's Privacy Policy and Information Security Policy, and in compliance with applicable data protection laws. Your data may be shared only with clients and trusted partners where necessary for recruitment purposes. You may request the deletion of your data or withdraw your consent at any time by contacting legal@mlabs.city.
