AI Engineer
Blank Metal · Minneapolis
About Blank Metal
Blank Metal is an AI-native engineering company that partners with enterprises to deliver production AI fast. We blend strategic insight with hands-on execution, shipping high-impact systems that turn AI initiatives into measurable business results.
We're builders, not theorists. Our team of seasoned engineers, designers, and strategists work across industries to create AI applications that actually get used and make a difference.
The Role
You're an experienced engineer who ships production AI features with confidence. You understand how to integrate LLM APIs and AI services into robust applications, architect scalable AI-powered systems, and deliver high-impact features that clients depend on.
What You'll Do
Design and implement end-to-end AI integrations: from LLM API selection to production deployment
Architect AI-powered features that work reliably at scale
Work independently on complex projects with minimal oversight
Leverage LLM frameworks, vector databases, and prompt engineering to solve real problems
Integrate cloud AI services and build custom AI tooling when needed
Ship production-grade code that balances quality and velocity
Collaborate with designers, product managers, and other engineers
Contribute to technical decisions and architectural discussions
Mentor junior engineers when needed
What We're Looking For
Production Expertise: Proven ability to ship production AI features end-to-end
LLM Mastery: Deep hands-on experience with LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) and frameworks like LangChain
Full-Stack Skills: Strong development across frontend (React/modern frameworks), backend (Python, Node.js, .NET), and infrastructure
System Design: Can architect AI integrations that scale, handle errors gracefully, and provide good user experiences
AI Tooling: Comfortable with vector databases, prompt engineering, embedding models, and emerging AI tools
Quality Focus: You care about code quality, testing, and building systems that users can rely on
Initiative: You identify problems, propose solutions, and drive projects to completion
Required Experience
2-5 years of professional software engineering experience
Demonstrated production AI experience (LLM integrations, AI-powered features)
Advanced full-stack development skills
Experience with modern cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
Strong backend and infrastructure development skills applied to real production systems
Proven ability to ship complex features independently
Nice to Have
Experience with RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systems
Familiarity with vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, Chroma, etc.)
Experience contributing to frontend features using modern frameworks when needed
Background with API design and system integration
Understanding of prompt engineering best practices
Experience with deployment and DevOps practices
Exposure to agentic AI systems
Why You'll Love It Here
Build AI that ships: every project ends in a live deployment, not a slide deck
Craft meets velocity: we obsess over quality while delivering at startup speed
Outcome-driven model: our projects align with client success, not billable hours
AI-native culture: you'll work with peers who deeply understand modern AI's potential and limits
Real collaboration: open conversations, shared ownership, and space to bring your voice and creativity
What Success Looks Like
In your role, you'll:
Ship production AI features with minimal guidance
Own the technical direction of AI integrations on your projects
Become the go-to expert on AI architecture and tooling
Help raise the bar for how the team approaches AI engineering
Build a track record of high-impact, reliable AI systems
Grow as a leader by mentoring other engineers
Equal Opportunity
Blank Metal is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all backgrounds and perspectives. Diversity makes our work better and our team stronger.
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