Lead AI Engineer

About CEF AI

CEF AI is a stealth-stage startup building foundational AI infrastructure to power the next generation of sovereign, scalable, and deeply personalized AI systems. We operate at the intersection of frontier research and applied systems design, with a focus on giving individuals and organizations full control over their data and AI agents. Our team brings together top-tier engineers, founders, and thinkers passionate about shaping a more open and equitable AI future.

About the Role

We’re hiring an AI Innovator to lead experimentation and innovation across frontier model capabilities, fine-tuning, and novel agent architectures. This is not a research-only role; we’re looking for someone who can take bold ideas from 0 to 1, own rapid prototyping loops, and deeply influence the core direction of our AI stack. You’ll collaborate closely with engineering, product, and leadership to explore what’s possible and then build it.

• Innovation: Rapidly prototype and implement AI solutions across various use cases, including computer vision, personal health LLMs, and NLP sentiment analysis, to accelerate time-to-market.
• Infrastructure Development: Design and maintain dynamic data indexing systems and private, encrypted ETL pipelines within DDCs.
• Agent Orchestration: Develop and manage a multi-agent orchestration platform that dynamically engages AI agents for localized, secure data operations and querying.
• Collaboration: Engage with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of AI solutions, participating in both on-site and off-site events to foster teamwork and innovation.
• Communication: Proactively discuss and strategize data onboarding and processing methodologies to enhance system performance and security.

• Experience: Proven track record of launching solutions from concept to scale, with tangible revenue generation.
• Technical Proficiency: Extensive experience with data solutions aimed at building robust, distributed platforms serving millions of users.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Background in closely collaborating with founders or small, dedicated teams to drive innovation; prior entrepreneurial experience is a plus.
• AI Integration Insight: Alignment with the philosophy that agile data onboarding and dynamic indexing are foundational to AI workflows.
• Prototyping Skills: Ability to swiftly develop cutting-edge AI prototypes across diverse domains to reduce time-to-market.
• Knowledge Sharing: Valuing practical, hard-earned knowledge and demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning.
• Team Engagement: Willingness to participate in team-building activities and events to strengthen collaboration and innovation.

• Competitive Compensation & Meaningful Equity: We value talent and back it with fair, founder-level alignment. You’ll own a real stake in the company’s future.
• High-Impact, High-Ownership Role: You won’t be a cog in the machine. You’ll own initiatives end-to-end and help shape the core of our AI stack and company direction.
• Work Directly with the CEO & Founding Team: Collaborate daily with the CEO and technical leadership to drive product, strategy, and long-term vision.
• Build What Doesn’t Exist (Yet): We’re working on first-principle AI infrastructure that doesn’t exist elsewhere. If you’re here to do original, meaningful work — this is it.
• Zero Bureaucracy, Maximum Autonomy: We move fast, stay lean, and keep decision-making close to the builders. Your input drives the roadmap.
• Flexible, But In-Person Matters: We’re remote-first, but we believe in the power of face-to-face time. We hold monthly gatherings/hackathons in SF and Europe, to stay aligned and build real momentum together. Results still matter more than hours — but we show up when it counts.

Our Hiring Process

We move fast, stay transparent, and focus on real collaboration. Here’s what the process looks like:

Join CEF AI as an AI Innovator to revolutionize technology. Bring your expertise and shape the future with us. Apply now to make a meaningful impact.