Design Engineer

About Archetype AI

Archetype AI is developing the world’s first AI platform to bring AI into the real world. Formed by an exceptionally high‑caliber team from Google, we are building a foundation model for the physical world—a real‑time multimodal LLM for real life. Our technology transforms real‑world data into valuable insights and knowledge that people will be able to interact with naturally, helping people in their real lives, not just online, because we understand the real‑time physical environment and everything that happens in it.

Supported by deep‑tech venture funds in Silicon Valley, Archetype AI is currently at the Series A stage and is progressing rapidly to develop technology for the next stage. Our team is headquartered in San Mateo, California, with members throughout the US and Europe.

We are actively growing, so if you are an exceptional candidate excited to work on the cutting edge of physical AI and don’t see a role that exactly fits you below, you can contact us directly with your resume via jobsarchetypeaiio.

This role will lead rapid prototyping for emerging AI hardware and software interfaces, enabling the transition of early R&D results into viable product features. The contribution is twofold: first, steering novel technologies toward meaningful, human‑centered directions; second, identifying and shaping new product opportunities. A critical aspect of the role is communication, using prototypes as narrative tools to translate complex AI capabilities into clear, compelling experiences that teams can align around.

• Lead rapid hardware and software prototypes, turning early R&D outcomes into concrete, testable experiences.
• Use prototypes as communication tools to align design, research, and engineering teams around shared understanding and direction.
• Explore and identify new product opportunities by experimenting with novel interaction paradigms and system behaviors.

• 8+ years of experience as a Design Engineer, Interaction Designer, or similar role, with a strong focus on rapid prototyping and a proven track record in research or R&D lab environments. In particular, we are looking for deep experience in:
  • Prototyping across hardware and sensor‑based systems
  • Working with Generative AI or Machine Learning models and understanding their implications for user interfaces and interaction design
  • Building interactive prototypes using modern web technologies (e.g., React, Svelte, Type Script, JavaScript, HTML/CSS)
• Comfort with ambiguity and early‑stage product exploration
• Proven ability to work across design and engineering, comfortably navigating both conceptual and technical discussions
• A portfolio demonstrating both research‑oriented work and the successful shipment of complex, ambiguous product experiences

• Familiarity with design systems, component libraries, or front‑end architecture
• Leadership and communication skills