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Startup Ai Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AI Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$230K - $280K/yr

San Jose, CA Salary: $230K - $280K An AI startup is hiring Mid and Senior Python Software Engineer to join a small, high-impact team building the next generation of AI-powered products. This is an ...

AI Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$230K - $280K/yr

San Jose, CA Salary: $230K - $280K An AI startup is hiring Mid and Senior Python Software Engineer to join a small, high-impact team building the next generation of AI-powered products. This is an ...

High-Growth Environment -- Thrive in a fast-scaling startup where agility, collaboration, and rapid ... As an AI Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing, developing, and deploying scalable ...

High-Growth Environment -- Thrive in a fast-scaling startup where agility, collaboration, and rapid ... As an AI Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing, developing, and deploying scalable ...

AI Engineer

Pleasanton, CA

$116K - $159K/yr

With 3-5 years of hands-on industry experience, you are expected to bring expertise in AI system design, ML engineering, LLM deployment, and scalable software development within fast-paced startup ...

Senior AI Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$58 - $68/hr

Startup or highly autonomous engineering experience preferred Education & Experience * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, AI/ML, Software Engineering, or related field Location: Cupertino, CA ...

AI Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

EQL Tech has been exclusively retained by a high-growth technology startup to appoint a mission-critical AI Engineer to own the brand feel of the company and the movement they're building. About the ...

EQL Tech has been exclusively retained by a high-growth technology startup to appoint a mission-critical AI Engineer to own the brand feel of the company and the movement they're building. About the ...

AI Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

EQL Tech has been exclusively retained by a high-growth technology startup to appoint a mission-critical AI Engineer to own the brand feel of the company and the movement they're building. About the ...

AI Engineer

Phoenix, AZ

$125K - $175K/yr

EQL Tech has been exclusively retained by a high-growth technology startup to appoint a mission-critical AI Engineer to own the brand feel of the company and the movement they're building. About the ...

AI Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

EQL Tech has been exclusively retained by a high-growth technology startup to appoint a mission-critical AI Engineer to own the brand feel of the company and the movement they're building. About the ...

Funding RISA Labs is a Series A startup backed by Optum Ventures, Cencora Ventures, Oncology ... healthcare AI solutions. We're looking for bright, curious minds in engineering with strong ...

Funding RISA Labs is a Series A startup backed by Optum Ventures, Cencora Ventures, Oncology ... healthcare AI solutions. We're looking for bright, curious minds in engineering with strong ...

We are seeking a highly inquisitive and hands-on AI Engineer to assist us in developing and ... Prior experience in a startup environment, adaptability to chaos, enthusiasm for learning new ...

We are seeking a highly inquisitive and hands-on AI Engineer to assist us in developing and ... Prior experience in a startup environment, adaptability to chaos, enthusiasm for learning new ...

AI Engineer

Raleigh, NC · Remote

$130K - $160K/yr

Startup or small-team engineering background * Experience supporting enterprise AI initiatives * Experience translating business requirements into technical prototypes

We are seeking a highly inquisitive and hands-on AI Engineer to assist us in developing and ... Prior experience in a startup environment, adaptability to chaos, enthusiasm for learning new ...

Your Role As an AI Agent Engineer at Eloquent AI, you will be at the forefront of building ... You've worked in a fast-paced startup environment and thrive in rapid iteration cycles.

The Role We're looking for an AI Engineer to join the Fury Orchestration Team with a deep passion ... We're a startup. You'll be moving fast, context-switching daily, and helping define the culture and ...

We're looking for an AI Engineer who is passionate about building intelligent systems that blend ... Previous experience in SaaS or early-stage startup environments. What We Offer * Competitive ...

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Showing results 1-20

Startup Ai Engineer information

See salary details

$25

$53

$76

How much do startup ai engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for startup ai engineer in the United States is $53.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.27 and $62.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Startup AI Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Startup AI Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science, mathematics, and machine learning, usually supported by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with programming languages (such as Python), deep learning frameworks (like TensorFlow or PyTorch), and cloud platforms is crucial, as are certifications in AI or data science. Creative problem-solving, adaptability, and strong communication skills are important soft skills for collaborating in a fast-paced, evolving environment. These competencies enable rapid prototyping, innovative solution development, and effective teamwork, which are vital for success in a startup setting.

What is the difference between Startup Ai Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectStartup Ai EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in CS, AI, or related fields; experience with ML frameworksBachelor's or Master's in CS, Statistics, or related fields; proficiency in data analysis
Work EnvironmentFast-paced startup setting, often cross-functionalVaried environments, including corporate, research, or startups
Employer & Industry UsageTech startups, AI-focused companiesWide range of industries including tech, finance, healthcare
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

The Startup Ai Engineer and Data Scientist roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, especially in tech-focused companies. However, Startup Ai Engineers focus more on developing AI models and integrating AI solutions into products, while Data Scientists analyze data to generate insights. Both roles are crucial in AI-driven industries, but their core responsibilities differ slightly.

What are Startup AI Engineers?

Startup AI Engineers are technology professionals who design, develop, and implement artificial intelligence solutions within startup companies. They often work in fast-paced environments, building prototypes, training machine learning models, and deploying AI-powered features to help startups gain a competitive edge. Their role can be broad, covering data analysis, algorithm development, and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Unlike traditional AI engineers, those at startups may need to wear multiple hats and adapt quickly to changing priorities. A strong foundation in programming, machine learning, and problem-solving is essential for this role.

What unique challenges can I expect when working as an AI Engineer at a startup compared to larger companies?

As an AI Engineer in a startup environment, you’ll likely face the challenge of wearing multiple hats and adapting quickly to evolving project needs. Unlike larger organizations with specialized teams, you may be responsible for the entire AI pipeline—from data collection and cleaning, to model deployment and monitoring. Resource constraints can require creative problem-solving and a hands-on approach, but this also means you’ll have greater autonomy and the chance to make a significant impact. Startups often foster close-knit, collaborative teams where your ideas can directly shape the product and business strategy.
More about Startup Ai Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Startup Ai Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Startup Ai Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Startup Ai Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Startup Ai Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Startup Ai Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 65% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 32% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,552 per year, or $53.6 per hour.

$230K - $280K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description


Title: Senior AI Engineer / Machine Learning Engineer / Python Software Engineer
Location: San Jose, CA
Salary: $230K - $280K


An AI startup is hiring Mid and Senior Python Software Engineer to join a small, high-impact team building the next generation of AI-powered products. This is an opportunity to get in early at a pre-seed company where engineers take ownership over the product, work directly with leadership, and play a key role in shaping both the technical direction and long-term growth of the platform. They're looking for someone who enjoys wearing multiple hats, moving quickly, and building in a true startup environment.


This role is open to candidates from AI Engineering, Machine Learning Engineering, or strong Python Software Engineering backgrounds. You'll build scalable backend systems, develop AI-powered product capabilities, and help design the System Design foundation for future growth. The ideal candidate has strong system design fundamentals, is comfortable working across modern AI technologies such as LLMs or Reinforcement Learning, and is excited by the ownership and ambiguity that comes with joining a small, fast-moving startup.


Experience:


* 3+ years of experience in Software Engineering, AI Engineering, or Machine Learning Engineering
* Strong Python experience building production-grade systems and applications
* Experience with LLMs, Reinforcement Learning, or similar AI technologies
* Strong understanding of system design and scalable backend architectures
* Experience building products in fast-moving startup environments with high ownership
* Ability to work independently and ship customer-facing features end-to-end


Benefits:


* Early Stage Equity
* Paid Time Off
* Medical, dental, and vision coverage
* Opportunity to create lasting impact within a growing organization
* Free Lunches & Commuting


Oscar Associates Limited (US) is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.