Founding AI Engineer

About Thorin

Today's enterprise software is better than ever, but most organizations still run on conversations rather than systems.

Critical work lives across Slack, email, meetings, documents, and people's heads. Existing tools depend on humans to manually update records, push projects forward, and make sure important work doesn't fall through the cracks.

We believe AI should do more.

Thorin is building proactive, long-horizon AI agents that continuously understand what is happening across an organization and help teams execute over weeks, months, and years. Rather than waiting for prompts, Thorin develops a living understanding of how a business actually operates.

Born out of 8VC's Build program and backed by one of Silicon Valley's strongest venture ecosystems, Thorin is building the operating system for the AI-native enterprise.

About the Role

We are looking for a founding member of the technical staff to help build the future of AI-native work.

This is a high-agency, high-ownership role. You will work directly with founders, engineers, and customers to solve ambiguous problems and ship products that matter.

You will not be handed a queue of tickets.

You will help define what should be built, build it, and improve it through direct feedback from users.

What You'll Do

• Build and ship products from concept to production.

• Own outcomes, not just tasks.

• Work closely with customers to understand real-world problems.

• Move quickly while maintaining high quality.

• Leverage AI throughout the product development process.

• Help shape the culture and standards of a world-class team.

• Continuously improve how Thorin operates.

What We're Looking For

Ownership

• You see problems and solve them.

• You do not wait for permission or perfect requirements.

AI-Native Mindset

• You use AI as a force multiplier.

• You know when to trust it, when to challenge it, and you take responsibility for the final outcome.

Product Judgment

• You care deeply about users and understand that elegant technical solutions are only valuable if they solve meaningful problems.

Curiosity

• You learn quickly, ask good questions, and enjoy working in unfamiliar territory.

Independent Thinking

• You have opinions.

• You challenge assumptions respectfully and contribute to better decisions.

Builder Mentality

• You thrive in ambiguity and enjoy creating systems that do not yet exist.

Technical Experience

Examples:

• Experience building production software.

• Experience with modern backend and frontend systems.

• Experience working with APIs and distributed systems.

• Familiarity with LLMs or AI-powered applications.

Bonus Points

• Experience building AI products.

• Experience at early-stage startups.

• Experience with agentic workflows.

• Open-source contributions.

• Side projects that demonstrate curiosity and initiative.

How We Hire

• We care more about slope than pedigree.

• We optimize for builders who learn quickly, think independently, and take ownership.

• Exceptional early-career candidates are encouraged to apply.

Why Thorin

• Build category-defining AI products.

• Work directly with founders and customers.

• Ship quickly with minimal bureaucracy.

• Help define a new way organizations operate.

• Join an ambitious team that values ownership, curiosity, and execution.

• Backed by one of the strongest venture ecosystems in the industry.

Benefits & Perks

Health & Wellness

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage

• $200/month wellness stipend

• 401k

Commuting & Office Life

• $300/month transportation stipend

• $500 monthly development tool budget

• Prime office location at Market Street & 3rd in San Francisco

• Office setup support for the tools and equipment you need

Food & Community

• $25/day lunch stipend

• $35/day snacks and incidental office expenses

• Weekly team dinners and social events

Building Together

• Work side-by-side with founders and an exceptional early team

• High ownership and direct impact from day one

• Backed by 8VC and one of the strongest venture ecosystems in the industry

Compensation

The expected base salary range for this role is $150,000–$300,000, plus equity and benefits. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skill level, and scope.

A Note to Candidates

• If you are not sure whether you fit this role, you may be exactly who we are looking for.

• If you are exceptional, we will work together to find the highest-impact place for you.