A seed-funded AI startup ($5.5M raised) is building next-generation air traffic control systems to improve aviation safety. The team designs and operates the full technology stack — from custom-built radio hardware and data labeling pipelines to in-house AI models for speech, language, and vision understanding.
They’re the creators of aviation’s leading speech recognition model and are a team of pilots committed to advancing airspace compliance and monitoring.
Early-stage (team of 4)
Fully self-managed data + AI stack
AI deployed alongside radar and ADS-B services
As the Founding Backend Engineer, you’ll work across the entire technology stack, with an emphasis on backend systems. You’ll take ownership of high-priority projects, from designing scalable backend architectures to integrating AI models and hardware systems. This is a ground-floor opportunity with significant influence on technical direction and product capabilities.
Build and maintain backend systems for AI-powered air traffic control solutions
Collaborate on AI model training and deployment
Integrate backend services with custom-built hardware systems
Solve technical challenges across the stack as needed in a fast-moving environment
Own critical projects that directly impact aviation safety
Strong experience in C, Rust, or Go
Ability to work across multiple technical domains (backend, AI integration, hardware systems)
Thrives in high-ownership, early-stage startup environments
Comfortable working long hours in an intense, collaborative environment
Passion for aviation is a plus (piloting experience a bonus)
Small, highly collaborative team (100% pilots)
Fully on-site in San Francisco
High-intensity environment (70–80 hours/week) with a focus on results
Roles are fluid — engineers work wherever they can contribute most
Commitment to technical excellence and aviation safety
Competitive salary and equity
Visa sponsorship available
Opportunity to work on mission-critical, safety-focused AI systems
Influence both product and technical strategy from day one