Founding AI Engineer - Ventures Team

Overview:

Tower Research Ventures (TRV), the venture arm of Tower Research Capital, is dedicated to building and investing in category-defining companies with the same enthusiasm and discipline that Tower applies to public markets. We closely partner with our portfolio companies, offering a diverse set of business, technical, and financial expertise to help them reach their goals, from product development to business growth and beyond.

We are seeking a Founding AI Engineer to scale TRV’s incubation efforts. In this pivotal role, you'll support TRV incubations and portfolio companies by providing comprehensive engineering solutions essential for their success. This position is tailored for engineers with a passion for building from the ground up, particularly those experienced in machine learning (ML) engineering and startup environments.​

Responsibilities:

• Zero-to-One Development: Acting as a ‘zero to one’ engineer on a diverse array of startups
• Technical Feasibility Assessment: Evaluating the technical viability of projects that TRV initiates or considers for investment.
• MVP Creation: Leading the development of MVPs (Minimum Viable Product), laying the groundwork until dedicated teams are established.
• Team Building: Driving recruitment and interview processes to assemble specialized engineering teams
• Continuous Engagement: After onboarding dedicated teams, either embarking on new incubation projects or providing project-based support to existing portfolio companies​
• Market Contribution: Assisting in evaluating startups, sourcing new opportunities, and contributing to thought leadership through blog content

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field.​
• Strong technical background of 6+ years of full-time engineering experience, with a preference for backend or ML/AI specialization.
• Experience with Git, CI/CD pipelines and MLOps for automating model deployments.​
• Proficiency in Linux, SQL, Git and Bash scripting
• Strong knowledge of Python and ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow​
• General understanding of end-to-end machine learning processes (such as data processing, model training, hyperparameter tuning, model evaluation, etc.) and  familiarity with at least one of the areas of deep learning such as computer vision, generative models, sequence models, reinforcement learning, transformers, LLMs is highly desirable
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities
  

Why Join TRV?

• Diverse Portfolio: Rather than being tied to a single project, you'll have the unique opportunity to work on a diverse range of startups at different stages, gaining hands-on experience in various industries, technologies, and business models. Whether you're building an AI-powered financial automation tool or optimizing infrastructure for a next-gen data platform, no two projects will be the same. Every venture presents new technical challenges and opportunities to innovate.
• High-Impact, Fast-Paced Environment: This is the ideal role for engineers who thrive on variety, problem-solving and rapid execution. You'll get to prototype, iterate and deploy real-world solutions quickly, ensuring constant learning and engagement.
• Resource-Rich with Startup Agility: Benefit from the backing of Tower Research Capital, gaining access to deep technical expertise, financial support, and a network of top-tier engineers and founders—all while working in an agile, fast-moving startup-style environment.
• Collaborative Culture: Work alongside curious, driven and highly collaborative engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs who are passionate about solving complex problems and building category-defining companies.
• Endless Growth Opportunities: Contribute to ventures at various stages, from early incubation to scaling pre-seed startups, playing a foundational role in shaping their technical direction. Each new project presents a fresh challenge, expanding your skill set and industry knowledge faster than a traditional role.
  

If you're an engineer who loves building from scratch, working on high-impact projects and constantly learning, TRV offers an unparalleled opportunity to do just that.

Anticipated annual base salary range $175,000 - $250,000, plus eligible for discretionary bonus.

Benefits:

Tower’s headquarters are in FiDi, the heart of downtown Manhattan, at the historic Equitable Building. While we work hard, Tower’s cubicle-free workplace, jeans-clad workforce, and well-stocked kitchens reflect the value the firm places on quality of life. Benefits include:

• 401(k) with company matching
• 5 weeks of paid vacation per year plus 11 paid holidays
• Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks on a daily basis
• Reimbursement for health and wellness expenses
• Free events and workshops
• Donation matching program

Tower Research Capital is an equal opportunity employer.