AI Infra Engineer: Chai Research

Chai Research, a high-growth AI startup, is seeking a Staff AI Infra Engineer to join its team in Palo Alto. This is a high-impact role for an individual who thrives in a high-velocity environment and is comfortable making decisions that will determine the company's future.

The core mission for this role is to build scalable AI infrastructure from the ground up while also managing and growing the engineering team from 12 to 50 people over the next 18 months. You will be instrumental in helping the company scale from 1 million daily active users to 100 million.

Key Responsibilities:
Lead the design and implementation of scalable AI infrastructure from scratch.

Manage and grow the engineering team, scaling it from 12 to 50 members.

Take ownership and accountability for high-impact decisions that shape Chai's technical future.

Work within a high-velocity environment focused on continuous improvement and exceptional performance.

Requirements & Qualifications:
A Bachelor's degree from a leading academic institution.

3+ years of experience in backend engineering.

Familiarity with Kubernetes and Python.

Familiarity with Apache Kafka and Spark.

Tech Stack:
Front-end: Python, Flutter, Dart

Back-end: Python, GCP, Redis, Kubernetes

Interview Process:
Chai Research has an "exceptionally fast" hiring process, aiming to go from application to offer within 7 days. The process includes:

An initial chat with an engineer (often over coffee in Palo Alto).

A personality assessment.

A short take-home challenge (60-90 minutes).

An on-site interview to meet the team and complete the challenge.