Co-Founder & Technical Lead — New Portfolio Company

About Us

Fairwater Labs is launching an innovative startup developing a cutting-edge AI platform designed to maximize workforce attention and engagement in high-risk, high-change environments. Our mission is to transform how U.S. and partner military and civilian teams communicate and align, moving away from unread emails toward engaging, habit-forming, micro and repetitive content that reinforces essential priorities.

By combining advanced AI algorithms, modern delivery mechanisms, and user-centered design, our solution enables leaders to drive alignment, responsiveness, and operational focus—whether in defense, critical infrastructure, or commercial sectors undergoing disruption and transformation. Validated user stories, early wireframes, and potential early adopters are already in place, setting the stage for rapid progress from prototype to field use.

Position Overview

We are seeking a visionary and technically exceptional Founding Engineer / Technical Product Co-Founder to own and lead the product architecture, technical roadmap, and early engineering team for this effort. This is an extraordinary opportunity to shape a transformative AI product from day one, make key technical decisions, and bring a first-of-its-kind solution to both defense and commercial markets. The ideal candidate will be an experienced full-stack and AI/ML engineer with a proven track record of shipping production-grade AI tools for high-frequency, habit-forming use.

You will be responsible for building and iterating on prototypes with Fairwater Labs, co-shaping the product with early users, selecting and implementing the tech stack, and eventually hiring and leading a small AI-leveraged engineering team. You’ll work alongside a soon-to-be-recruited Go-to-Market Co-Founder, Fairwater Labs’ in-house DoD business development experts, and early customer stakeholders.

Must Haves:

• Technical Mastery: Significant experience as a full-stack and AI/ML engineer, comfortable owning end-to-end architecture. Ability to select and defend technology choices (e.g., Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, React, LangChain, vector databases, CI/CD, IaC).
• AI/LLM Expertise: Proven track record shipping production-ready LLM-driven tools for content generation and/or mobile/web applications that achieve high-frequency use.
• Security Mindset: Comfortable with DevSecOps practices and data security; familiarity with GovCloud/IL4+ a plus.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: A builder at heart—demonstrated history of shipping MVPs quickly and iterating with user feedback.
• Collaborative Leadership: Ability to work closely with non-technical stakeholders, end users, and fellow founders in an agile, high-tempo environment.

Nice to Haves:

• Dual-Use Experience: Understanding of the defense sector, especially in operational communications, training, or workforce alignment.
• Commercial Engagement: Experience building tools for commercial enterprise communication, training, or engagement platforms.
• Startup DNA: Background in an early-stage startup, ideally as a technical founder or early engineering hire.
• Non-Dilutive Funding: Familiarity with SBIR, STTR, or other U.S. government R&D funding pathways.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary with founder-level equity
• Opportunity to co-found a game-changing startup in the dual-use space
• Flexible remote-first work environment; potential to build a team in your preferred geography
• Direct collaboration with experienced domain experts and early adopters in both defense and commercial markets
• A fast track from prototype to deployment with real operators

Why Join Us?

As a Founding Engineer and Technical Product Co-Founder, you will have the rare opportunity to lead technical vision, execution, and early team formation for a product that directly impacts mission-critical operations. You’ll work in lockstep with Fairwater Labs—a venture studio with a track record of building and scaling dual-use startups—and help set the trajectory for a company that can define a new category in workforce attention and engagement.

Note – Candidate must be a U.S. citizen or have work authorization to work in the United States.