Applied AI Engineer, xAI

• All engineers and researchers are expected to have strong communication skills
• They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates
• A passion for solving complex, real-world problems—particularly those tied to government missions or enterprise objectives—delivering measurable impact through AI
• Proven ability to ship high-quality, secure code and complete projects in challenging, regulated, or ambiguous environments
• Adaptability to shifting priorities and requirements in a fast-paced, mission-driven startup setting
• Exceptional communication skills to interface with customers—including government stakeholders—clarifying technical requirements and driving projects to completion
• Expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust, scalable, and secure AI-driven solutions that meet stringent compliance and operational standards
• Government Partnership Experience: Demonstrated success working with government agencies, DoD, or federal contractors on AI, software, or data projects
• Clearance Preferred: Active U.S. security clearance (e.g., Secret, Top Secret) or eligibility to obtain one is highly desirable
• 6+ years of software engineering experience, ideally in environments requiring high reliability or security
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, with experience documenting technical solutions for diverse stakeholders
• Ability to translate business, product, or mission needs into engineering solutions, particularly for government or enterprise clients
• Proven experience implementing AI or machine learning products with APIs, back-end systems, and front-end interfaces
• Proficiency in Python and/or TypeScript
• Strong understanding of the HTTP protocol and secure API design
• Robust engineering background, preferably in fields such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Physics, or Data Science

Desirable

• Applied AI Engineers work directly with our end customers, including federal government and enterprise partners, to own strategy and execution of mission-critical AI solutions
• This role mirrors the responsibilities of a hands-on AI startup CTO: you’ll collaborate in a small, agile team to deliver high-stakes projects, often in secure or regulated environments
• Drive the development and enhancement of the core product and underlying model, while collaborating cross-functionally to deliver end-to-end AI solutions
• Identifying pain points, scoping product specifications, and designing and building LLM-powered software for government or enterprise use cases
• Benchmarking models and developing evaluation frameworks to assess performance and address weaknesses, ensuring compliance with customer standards
• Enhancing model performance through system prompt tuning or fine-tuning, with an eye toward secure and scalable deployment
• Analyzing request logs, prompt data, or system outputs to ensure reliability and auditability
• Building internal tooling to streamline workflows and automate repetitive tasks in secure environments
• Refining xAI SDKs or developer documentation based on customer feedback, with an emphasis on usability for government or enterprise developers

• After submitting your application, the team reviews your CV and statement of exceptional work
• If your application passes this stage, you will be invited to a 15 minute interview (“technical phone interview”) during which a member of our team will ask technical questions about your background or specialization
• If you clear the initial phone interview, you will enter the main process, which consists of four technical interviews:
• Virtual: Coding assessment in a language of your choice
• In-person: Coding assessment in a language of your choice
• In-person: Systems hands-on: Demonstrate practical skills in a live problem-solving session
• Meet and greet with the wider team
• Our goal is to finish the main process within one week. All interviews will be conducted via Google Meet or in-person