Founding AI Engineer

We’re hiring a founding AI engineer to build the core intelligence layer of our product.

This is a true founding role : you will take high ownership and exercise real technical leadership . You will shape Daylight’s technical direction, set the standards for how we build, and help lay the foundations for a world-class engineering organization.

You’ll work directly with the founder to automate structured contracting, extract insights from messy data and compliance documents, and support smarter purchasing decisions.

We’re seeking strong GenAI/agent systems experience (LLM orchestration, retrieval, tool use) and solid backend skills (Python/TypeScript, APIs, data pipelines, security). You translate procurement workflows into usable software, prototype quickly, and ship to production.

You work autonomously, prioritize ruthlessly, set clear milestones, and bring a calm, analytical, low-ego presence. Ready for co-founder-level responsibility and startup volatility.

Own technical strategy and execution: Set architecture and technical plan (data model, AI systems, infra, security), write production code, and set the quality bar (tests, reviews, observability).

Build AI workflows: Design and ship agentic + retrieval-powered workflows for contracting, diligence, and negotiation prep.

Build software features end-to-end: Turn procurement and project finance workflows into usable product; be forward-deployed with users and iterate in real time.

Build data engineering + geospatial pipelines: Ingest and enrich datasets (EPA GHGRP, EIA, NREL, parcels, utility filings) to map grid access, substations, transmission, and land availability.

Drive PMF through engineering: Work closely with the founder to find PMF through user conversations and rapid iteration.

You’ve built with LLMs, MCPs, vector DBs, and orchestration frameworks including LangChain or LlamaIndex

You’ve shipped production-grade tools (not just demos)

You care about usability and building things that matter

You have strong backend skills and can take projects end-to-end

You have experience working directly with users or customers to translate workflows into product

You’re comfortable translating complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders

You can learn learn new domains quickly (ie finance, contracts, energy technologies)

You are adaptable and embrace ambiguity, pivoting as needed

You have the experience to make good technical tradeoffs, set direction, and mentor others as the team grows

Power markets or carbon compliance knowledge

AWS/GCP experience

Unit-economics modeling

Experience with contracts, procurement systems, or trading

Enjoys team hikes and bike rides :)

We’re looking for someone who is deeply motivated by climate impact and energized by the challenge of building from zero to one. You might be a fit if you are:

Wildly driven and curious , and excited to throw yourself into the fire of an early-stage startup.

The kind of person who keeps building and learning outside of work because you genuinely cannot help it.

Someone with deep, niche intellectual obsessions . You love going down rabbit holes until you understand the thing better than almost anyone else.

You will thrive at Daylight if you:

Exhibit high agency and take ownership end-to-end.

Are highly collaborative and bring a low-ego, team-first approach.

Bring compassion and deep care for the people you work with, and help create a supportive, high-trust community.

Have real comfort with ambiguity , and can create structure where none exists.