Founding Data Engineer; AI Infrastructure

Skiffra is building the intelligence layer for the physical world. We translate complex, real-world environments into clear, actionable data.

While most AI companies focus on digital industries, we design AI-native orchestration systems for the sectors that extract, move, and build ecosystems around us. We turn messy, high-stakes operations into intelligent, adaptive workflows that improve decisions in real time.

Our first proving ground is mining and natural resources, but the platform is modular by design—built to scale into any industry where decisions are expensive and consequences are real.

As a Founding Data Engineer (AI Infrastructure), you will build the circulatory system of Skiffra’s AI-native orchestration platform.

This is a hands‑on, high‑autonomy role where you’ll bridge the gap between messy enterprise reality and clean AI reasoning. You won’t just move data—you will architect the foundation that allows autonomous agents to understand and act on complex industrial systems.

You’ll work directly with the founding team to ship zero-to-one systems where reliability isn’t a goal—it’s the baseline.

• Design and maintain a robust semantic layer that translates raw database schemas into high-context metadata
• Enable LLMs and autonomous agents to reason across enterprise data with clarity and precision
• Ensure every data point carries lineage and business context

• Integrate ERPs, operational tools, and legacy systems into a clean, unified internal data layer
• Design schemas and data contracts consumed by LLMs and workflow engines
• Guarantee predictable, high‑fidelity inputs from messy and inconsistent data sources

• Architect end‑to‑end ingestion and normalization pipelines for structured, semi‑structured, and unstructured data
• Transform fragmented enterprise inputs into a high‑fidelity, agent‑ready stream
• Design systems optimized for AI reasoning, not just reporting dashboards

• Implement monitoring, observability, and automated data quality gates
• Prevent orchestration engines from acting on stale, corrupted, or incomplete context
• Build systems where reliability is embedded at the architectural level

• Partner closely with product and engineering to translate complex operational needs into scalable data systems
• Operate with speed and rigor in high‑stakes environments

• 7+ years building production‑grade data engineering or backend systems
• Strong Python and SQL mastery
• Deep experience with ETL/ELT pipelines and API‑based integrations
• Experience with cloud data infrastructure and streaming or event‑driven systems
• Proven track record building systems where data discovery and cataloging were core features
• Ability to make sound technical tradeoffs and thrive in zero‑to‑one environments without a roadmap or perfect documentation
• High ownership mindset and comfort operating independently

• Experience with industrial, operational, or enterprise data systems
• Experience designing data contracts or vector stores consumed by LLMs, RAG systems, or autonomous agents
• Experience managing data access controls and identity within pipelines
• Startup or founding‑team experience

• Speed with clarity
• Technical rigor without unnecessary complexity
• Simple systems over clever ones
• Prototypes over over‑planning
• Ownership over handoffs

You’ll work directly with founders and ship systems that operate in the real world—where consequences matter.

Hybrid role based in Los Angeles, CA or the San Francisco Bay Area
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Regular in‑person collaboration is expected. We are not a remote‑only company.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

This position is eligible for Skiffra’s standard benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans, and may also qualify for participation in the Company’s bonus and incentive programs.