Member of Technical Staff - Generalist
Valkai · New York City
THE ROLE
You'll take important technical problems from ambiguity to production across AI, product, and platform. This role is for an engineer with broad range who can learn unfamiliar systems quickly, identify the real constraint, and build the right solution at the right level of the stack.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Own high-priority technical projects from problem definition through production.
Work across AI systems, backend services, product experiences, data, and infrastructure as the problem requires.
Prototype quickly, test the riskiest assumptions, and turn successful approaches into maintainable systems.
Make practical architecture decisions based on user needs, technical constraints, and company priorities.
Partner with AI Strategy and product to understand workflows and shape the solution, not just implement a specification.
Create clear ownership, documentation, and operating plans when projects transition to a long-term team.
Improve engineering standards through design reviews, code reviews, testing, and hands-on product use.
REQUIREMENTS
Broad technical range: You can work across systems and product layers and are comfortable entering unfamiliar areas.
Research-grade engineers who ship: You investigate hard problems carefully, form clear opinions, and turn them into working software.
Strong judgment: You know when to prototype, when to invest in foundations, and when a simpler approach is better.
High agency: You create structure in ambiguous situations and move from problem framing to execution without waiting for a detailed plan.
Owners: You take responsibility for outcomes, not just assigned tasks, and leave systems clearer than you found them.
Clear collaborators: You write and communicate well, seek context, and help teams make decisions.
NICE TO HAVE
You have shipped zero-to-one technical products in highly ambiguous environments.
You have worked across multiple parts of a modern application stack.
You have experience with agents, AI evaluation systems, search, or distributed systems.
You have worked in a high-growth early-stage company.
You are familiar with parts of our stack: Next.js, TypeScript, Python, Postgres, Azure, AWS.
BENEFITS
Competitive compensation, including meaningful equity.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
Generous PTO policy.
Paid parental leave.
At Valkai, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.