Founding AI/Systems Engineer 100%

ppbEmployment type: /bPermanent, full-time (100%) /ppbStart date: /bAs soon as possible /ppbManagement responsibility: /bNo /ppbWorking model: /bPrimarily in person in Zurich (around 2 days/week), with flexibility for remote work where appropriate /ppbStage: /bEarly-stage startup / Founding Engineering Team /ph3About Our Client /h3pOur client is an early-stage industrial technology startup developing an AI-driven software platform for industrial automation. /ppThe company connects modern AI systems with traditional industrial hardware, enabling AI agents to diagnose issues and safely support interventions on physical machinery. /ppWith a working MVP and first paying customers, the company is now looking for its bfirst engineering hire /bto take ownership of the technical roadmap and architecture. /ph3The Role /h3pThe Founding AI / Systems Engineer will work across AI, backend systems, industrial automation and physical hardware. /ppKey responsibilities include: /pulliBuilding AI integrations, introspection pipelines and bMCP servers /busing TypeScript / Python and frameworks such as DeepSeek or LangChain /liliDeveloping core systems and deterministic safety mechanisms using bC++, Go, Rust or Zig /b /liliDesigning secure API boundaries, process isolation and fail-safe mechanisms between AI logic and physical machinery /liliWorking with industrial protocols such as bOPC UA, Modbus and EtherCAT /b /liliDebugging physical hardware and supporting customer deployments /liliTaking significant ownership of the technical architecture and roadmap /li /ulh3The Profile /h3pThe ideal candidate is a b“Polyglot Systems Hacker” /b— neither a pure AI researcher nor a traditional embedded engineer. /ppStrong TypeScript or Python skills plus experience with a systems language such as C++, Rust, Go or Zig /ppPrevious experience working with bindustrial data, ideally OPC UA /b /ppConceptual understanding of bPLC programming /b /ppSolid Linux and systems fundamentals /ppComfortable working directly with physical hardware and industrial networks /ppStrong understanding of API boundaries, process isolation and safety mechanisms /ppPragmatic mindset with the ability to prototype quickly and operate in an environment of high uncertainty /ppStartup experience is not required. The key is the ability to take ownership, make architectural decisions independently and turn real-world problems into practical solutions. /ph3What Makes the Role Interesting /h3pThe position combines approximately: /pullib33% AI integrations /b— TypeScript/Python, MCP, AI-agent frameworks /lilib33% Core Systems /b— C++/Go/Rust/Zig, SDK development and deterministic safety mechanisms /lilib33% Hardware Customer Deployment /b— industrial networks, physical hardware and troubleshooting /li /ulpThe role offers genuine technical ownership and the opportunity to shape the architecture of a new industrial software platform from an early stage. /ph3First 90 Days /h3pA key initial objective is to develop a proof of concept in which an AI agent can diagnose a real industrial hardware issue and safely support a modification to a running PLC system, subject to deterministic safety controls. /ph3Package /h3ulliGenerous equity package /liliHigh degree of technical autonomy /liliOpportunity to shape the technical architecture and future engineering team /liliZurich-based with flexibility for remote work where appropriate /li /ul /p