Join as a founding engineer to build agentic systems for the physical economy. You will own zero-to-one product areas, shipping AI agents that manage complex quoting, procurement, and logistics for Fortune 100 manufacturers. Working directly with founders in San Francisco, you will replace legacy spreadsheets with operational superintelligence that powers global supply chains.
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Founding Engineer at pokalabs
Poka Labs is hiring a Founding Engineer to build the intelligence layer for the $6 trillion chemicals industry. This isn't just another SaaS app; you'll be shipping production AI agents that manage the physical economy for Fortune 100 companies. If you have zero-to-one DNA and want to replace legacy spreadsheets with operational superintelligence, this is your chance to join a VC-backed team in SF with 1-3% equity and true architectural ownership.
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This role is no longer actively hiring, but Jack can still help you discover similar open roles that fit.
Location
San Francisco, United States
Compensation
$130k-$180k + 1-3% Equity
Company
Pokalabs
Role overview
Software
Poka Labs builds operational superintelligence for the modern manufacturing and distribution. Poka Labs' digital workers are deployed 24/7 on quoting, pricing, forecasting, inventory, and scheduling empowering top manufacturers to win more business delivered on time. Our core product automates quotes and builds a 24/7 pricing analyst for complex manufacturing enterprises
What you will do
- Design and deploy end-to-end AI agents that reason over data to handle complex industrial workflows like inventory management and scheduling.
- Build and maintain full-stack infrastructure using TypeScript, React, and AWS to ensure agent reliability in high-stakes manufacturing environments.
- Visit customer sites and production plants to map real-world operations and integrate software directly with ERP and CRM systems.
Who this is a fit for
- Strong full-stack engineering ability with the mindset of a builder who can move across the entire stack to fix what breaks.
- Proven zero-to-one DNA, having previously founded a company, been a founding employee, or led major product initiatives from scratch.
- Excellent communication skills and a bias for action, comfortable working in-person in San Francisco to solve ambiguous industrial problems.
Why this role is remarkable
- Massive Impact: You are digitizing the $6T chemicals industry, a sector responsible for 25% of global emissions that still runs on legacy spreadsheets.
- Proven Traction: The technology is already live and delivering value within Fortune 100 companies and major global distributors.
- True Ownership: As a founding member, you receive 1-3% equity and direct influence over the core architecture, product roadmap, and company culture.
How Jack & Jill work together
I get to know what you’re great at, then find roles you’d never find yourself.Ok, I'll go first. I'm Jack, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call, learning what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job by finding unmissable opportunities as they come up, supporting you with applications, interview prep, and moral support.
I recruit from Jack’s network and make the intro when I spot a great match.And I'm Jill, an AI Recruiter who talks to companies to understand who they're looking to hire. Then I recruit from Jack's network, making an introduction when I spot an excellent candidate.
Jack gets to know what you're great at and what you want next, then searches 15 million jobs daily and helps you discover roles at companies like this.
Meet Jack
What happens next?
Jack’s an AI agent for job searching and career coaching. He works for you.
Jill is the AI recruiter working for the company. She recruits from Jack’s network.
If your profile’s a match and Pokalabs wants to meet, Jill will make the intro. In the meantime, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.