Founding Engineer @ Stealth AI Recruiting Venture

About the role

We are developing a voice-first AI recruiting platform designed to filter noise and improve hiring efficiency within the German tech sector. As our first technical hire, you will take full ownership of the product and infrastructure to transform candidate conversations into actionable data. You will define the technical vision and ensure the platform scales securely and reliably from day one. This position requires a hands-on builder who is comfortable making architectural decisions that impact the entire product lifecycle. You will be responsible for turning high-level product goals into working software that our customers can use and trust. The role demands close collaboration with the founding team to iterate quickly while maintaining a high standard of code quality. You will be instrumental in shaping the long-term technical direction of the Xpreso platform.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and deploy the Xpreso platform from the ground up with weekly release cycles.
• Architect the matching engine by converting unstructured job requirements and candidate intent into precise ranking logic.
• Construct the data infrastructure, including schemas, embeddings, and retrieval systems to support matching decisions.
• Manage integrations with third-party tools such as ATS platforms, calendars, and messaging services.
• Collaborate directly with the founding team and customers to translate feedback into functional product features.
• Implement voice-processing pipelines that capture, transcribe, and analyze conversational data for recruiting insights.
• Build monitoring and logging systems to ensure the reliability and performance of production services.
• Optimize the platform for low latency and high throughput to deliver real-time responses during candidate interactions.
• Document technical designs and processes to ensure knowledge sharing and continuity within the team.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to the establishment of engineering best practices.

Requirements

• Professional proficiency in TypeScript with Next.js and Python with FastAPI, including experience with asynchronous systems.
• Demonstrated history of delivering production-ready software in high-velocity environments.
• Capability to design backend systems, including API development, database management, and integration handling.
• Ability to work in-person in Berlin with the founding team.
• A product-focused mindset with the ability to prioritize essential features and maintain clear communication.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the initiative to identify and resolve technical challenges independently.
• Experience with version control systems, specifically Git, and adherence to coding standards.
• Willingness to engage in continuous learning to adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

Nice to have

• Background in building search, ranking, recommendation, or scoring engines.
• Practical experience deploying LLM systems, including prompt engineering, evaluation, and retrieval guardrails.
• Familiarity with marketplace dynamics or two-sided platforms.
• Experience setting up analytics instrumentation and iterative experimentation.
• Previous tenure at an early-stage startup or a similar high-autonomy environment.

Practical notes

• This role includes significant equity compensation.
• You will receive direct support and networking opportunities through the Merantix ecosystem.
• The position is based in Berlin and requires full-time commitment to the founding team.
• Candidates must be able to start as soon as possible due to the immediate needs of the platform development.
• The work environment is fast-paced and requires adaptability to changing priorities and technical challenges.
• Travel is not required for this role as all work is conducted remotely or from the Berlin office.
• No visa sponsorship is provided for this position, so candidates must already have the right to work in Germany.
• The role is full-time and permanent, with the potential for growth into leadership positions as the company scales.
• Deadlines are aligned with product milestones, and the successful candidate must be comfortable working in a deadline-driven environment.
• The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the open-source community where appropriate and represent Merantix at industry events.
• This position is ideal for a highly motivated individual who thrives in a startup environment and is passionate about building the future of AI-driven recruitment.