Edtech.com's Summary

Straia is hiring a Founding Engineer to design, build, and scale the core infrastructure of their AI-native operating system for colleges and universities. The role involves developing the platform's backend and frontend, integrating with large language models, and collaborating with university data teams to create AI-powered analytics and workflow automation.

Highlights

Build core platform services including data ingestion, query orchestration, and AI workflows
Develop end-to-end features using React, Node.js, and Postgres with integration to LLMs like GPT, Gemini, and Claude
Scale infrastructure on Google Cloud Platform for performance, reliability, and security
Work closely with university data teams and administrators to solve real-world problems
Establish engineering culture, best practices, and technical roadmap as the first engineer
3-7 years experience building full-stack applications, strong backend focus with Node.js, TypeScript, and Postgres
Experience or curiosity in AI technologies such as LLMs, vector databases, and prompt engineering is a plus
Tech stack includes React with Vite, Node.js + Express, Postgres, and Google Cloud Platform
Competitive salary with meaningful equity and opportunity to build foundational technology impacting higher education
Participation in a16z Speedrun program with mentorship from top investors and accelerated development environment

Straia Founding Engineer Full Description

Straia Founding Engineer

🚀 Founding Engineer (Full-Stack)

Location: San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)

Funding: Backed by a16z, Reach Capital, and JFF Ventures

About Straia

At Straia, we’re building the AI-native operating system for colleges and universities, starting with analytics powered by intelligent AI agents.

Today, colleges run on dozens of disconnected systems, forcing staff to spend hours reconciling data, compiling reports, and tracking down insights that should be instant. Straia changes that. We unify institutional data and layer on AI agents that answer questions, generate insights/visualizations, and automate repetitive workflows, transforming how colleges operate.

Over time, Straia will evolve into the core intelligence layer for institutional operations, where every function, from student advising to admissions to budgeting and resource planning, is supported by collaborative AI agents that understand each institution’s unique data landscape.

We just closed our pre-seed by a16z, Reach Capital, and JFF Ventures, and are now hiring our first founding engineer to help build the technical backbone of how institutions interact with their data.

As part of a16z Speedrun’s program—1 of 70 companies chosen from ~19,000 applicants (~0.4% acceptance)—we will spend part of the program onsite at a16z from January–April alongside some of the world’s top founders while we build and launch Straia’s core platform.

The Role

As Straia’s first Founding Engineer, you’ll work directly with the CEO (Ryan) and CTO (Alan) to design, build, and scale the core infrastructure of our platform.

This is a 0 → 1 opportunity to shape not just the product, but the engineering culture, architecture, and trajectory of the company. You’ll move fast, make key technical decisions, and help define how AI can power the next generation of enterprise data intelligence.

We’re specifically looking for someone who consistently raises the bar. The kind of engineer whose default speed and judgment increase the velocity of everyone around them. If you thrive when expectations are high and the pace is fast, you’ll feel right at home 🙂

What You’ll Do

Build the core platform — architect and implement services spanning data ingestion, query orchestration, and agentic AI workflows
Ship end-to-end features across our React + Node.js + Postgres stack, integrating directly with LLMs like GPT, Gemini, and Claude
Scale infrastructure on GCP for performance, reliability, and data security
Collaborate with users (university data teams and administrators) to translate real problems into elegant, powerful solutions
Lay the foundation for Straia’s engineering culture, best practices, and technical roadmap
Prototype fast, iterate faster — your work will directly shape how education leaders experience AI in their daily decision-making

Who You Are

3–7 years of experience building and shipping full-stack applications, with a strong emphasis on backend systems (Node.js, TypeScript, Postgres)
Deeply technical, with a track record of building scalable, high-quality software
Startup-minded — you thrive in ambiguity, love building from scratch, and see constraints as creative fuel
Mission-driven — excited to improve education through technology that makes institutions smarter, faster, and more equitable
Collaborative and high-agency — you take initiative, value clear communication, and have the instincts of an owner, not an employee
AI-curious or experienced — exposure to LLMs, vector databases, or prompt engineering is a plus

Our Stack

Frontend: React + Vite
Backend: Node.js + Express, orchestrating data and AI agent workflows
Data Layer: Postgres + Caching for fast queries
LLM Integration: GPT, Gemini, Claude via API
Cloud & Infra: Hosted on GCP

Why Join Straia

Be the first engineer at a venture-backed AI company redefining institutional intelligence in higher ed
Build at the ground floor during a16z Speedrun (SR006): in-office at a16z Jan–Apr surround by the best and brightest minds in AI, along with top-tier mentorship, and ship-fast cadence
Shape the core architecture and engineering culture from day one
Work directly with top-tier investors and advisors from a16z, Reach, and JFF Ventures
Join a small, fast-moving team that works incredibly hard, ships fast, and still makes time for good food, laughs, and adventures — we take our work seriously, but not ourselves 🙂
Build meaningful technology that directly impacts student success and equity across colleges nationwide
Competitive salary + meaningful equity — your work will be foundational to Straia’s success

How to Apply

Send a short note about why you’re excited about the opportunity + your resume (and optionally your GitHub/portfolio) to founders@straia.io with the subject line:

“Founding Engineer — [Your Name]”

Original Job Description

Straia Founding Engineer

🚀 Founding Engineer (Full-Stack)

Location: San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)

Funding: Backed by a16z, Reach Capital, and JFF Ventures

About Straia

At Straia, we’re building the AI-native operating system for colleges and universities, starting with analytics powered by intelligent AI agents.

The Role

As Straia’s first Founding Engineer, you’ll work directly with the CEO (Ryan) and CTO (Alan) to design, build, and scale the core infrastructure of our platform.

What You’ll Do

Build the core platform — architect and implement services spanning data ingestion, query orchestration, and agentic AI workflows
Ship end-to-end features across our React + Node.js + Postgres stack, integrating directly with LLMs like GPT, Gemini, and Claude
Scale infrastructure on GCP for performance, reliability, and data security
Collaborate with users (university data teams and administrators) to translate real problems into elegant, powerful solutions
Lay the foundation for Straia’s engineering culture, best practices, and technical roadmap
Prototype fast, iterate faster — your work will directly shape how education leaders experience AI in their daily decision-making

Who You Are

3–7 years of experience building and shipping full-stack applications, with a strong emphasis on backend systems (Node.js, TypeScript, Postgres)
Deeply technical, with a track record of building scalable, high-quality software
Startup-minded — you thrive in ambiguity, love building from scratch, and see constraints as creative fuel
Mission-driven — excited to improve education through technology that makes institutions smarter, faster, and more equitable
Collaborative and high-agency — you take initiative, value clear communication, and have the instincts of an owner, not an employee
AI-curious or experienced — exposure to LLMs, vector databases, or prompt engineering is a plus

Our Stack

Frontend: React + Vite
Backend: Node.js + Express, orchestrating data and AI agent workflows
Data Layer: Postgres + Caching for fast queries
LLM Integration: GPT, Gemini, Claude via API
Cloud & Infra: Hosted on GCP

Why Join Straia

Be the first engineer at a venture-backed AI company redefining institutional intelligence in higher ed
Build at the ground floor during a16z Speedrun (SR006): in-office at a16z Jan–Apr surround by the best and brightest minds in AI, along with top-tier mentorship, and ship-fast cadence
Shape the core architecture and engineering culture from day one
Work directly with top-tier investors and advisors from a16z, Reach, and JFF Ventures
Join a small, fast-moving team that works incredibly hard, ships fast, and still makes time for good food, laughs, and adventures — we take our work seriously, but not ourselves 🙂
Build meaningful technology that directly impacts student success and equity across colleges nationwide
Competitive salary + meaningful equity — your work will be foundational to Straia’s success

How to Apply

Send a short note about why you’re excited about the opportunity + your resume (and optionally your GitHub/portfolio) to founders@straia.io with the subject line:

“Founding Engineer — [Your Name]”

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Straia Founding Engineer

Edtech.com's Summary

Straia Founding Engineer Full Description

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