Adam, an AI-powered computer-aided design startup, is hiring its first founding engineer with a salary range of $160K-$250K plus 1-2% equity. The Y Combinator W25 company recently achieved viral success with its text-to-CAD interface that allows engineers to create 3D models through natural language commands, positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven design automation.
What you should know: Adam is building revolutionary CAD software that lets users speak physical objects into existence through AI.
- Engineers can select a face and say “Add mounting holes matching the bolt pattern from the other part, with identical diameters, spacing, and offsets,” and Adam handles the geometry, selects standard hardware, and outputs production-ready CAD files.
- The company just completed Y Combinator’s W25 batch and claims to have had “one of the most viral YC launches of all time.”
- Their first product made CAD approachable for tens of thousands of people entering 3D printing, and they’re now enhancing capabilities for professional engineers.
The role breakdown: The founding engineer position offers significant autonomy and diverse technical challenges in San Francisco.
- Responsibilities include sprinting to build new product verticals from scratch, developing AI-driven CAD workflow interfaces, and designing full-stack features end-to-end.
- Required skills span Next.js, JavaScript, React, TypeScript, Python, SQL, and software architecture with 1+ years of experience.
- The company seeks candidates who “blend excellent engineering with a taste for models and design” and have previously built great products.
Company culture: Adam operates as a small technical team focused on rapid iteration and hands-on building.
- The four-person team works in-person at the “Adam House” in SF Marina, described as being “powered by green tea, lots of natural light, and a wall of 3D printers.”
- Founders Zach Dive and Aaron Li are UC Berkeley alumni, second-time founders, and former employees at major AI startups.
- The interview process includes a coding challenge, conversations with CEO Zach and founding engineer Dylan, and a paid onsite work trial.
Why this matters: Adam represents the convergence of generative AI with traditional engineering workflows, potentially democratizing complex 3D design tools that have historically required extensive technical training.
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