ABOUT THE ROLEWe are hiring a
Software Engineer for our Founders Initiatives team to design and build internal and external AI systems that power how Retell hires, sells, operates, and scales.
You'll build production-grade AI workflows, automations, and AI agent systems that have a direct impact on company operations and customer experience.
This is
not a traditional new grad program. From day one, you'll own real projects that are used across the company. You'll work directly with experienced engineers and founders, ship code to production, and help solve some of the hardest operational and AI challenges at Retell.
We're looking for exceptional new graduates who have already completed their degree and have demonstrated strong engineering ability through internships, research, startup experience, or significant personal projects.
One of the unique parts of this role is that there isn't a single path after you join. As you grow, you'll naturally gravitate toward one of two directions:
- Customer-facing: Work directly with enterprise customers, help design AI solutions, build integrations, and become a trusted technical advisor.
- Internal engineering: Focus on building AI systems, internal tooling, automations, and infrastructure that help Retell scale.
Most engineers will touch both early on, but over time you'll have the opportunity to lean into the path that best fits your strengths and interests.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FORMust Have
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
- You must have already graduated. We're not considering candidates who are still completing a bachelor's or master's degree.
- Strong software engineering fundamentals.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-moving startup environment.
Preferred
- 2+ software engineering internships.
- Experience building production software through internships, research, startups, or personal projects.
- Experience with backend development, APIs, AI tooling, or full-stack applications.
YOU MIGHT THRIVE IF YOU- Have already graduated with a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
- Have 2+ internships where you built real software.
- Enjoy building from scratch instead of maintaining legacy systems.
- Want to work directly with founders and experienced engineers.
- Learn quickly and enjoy taking ownership.
- Like solving hard technical problems with real business impact.
- Prefer shipping code every week over waiting months for releases.
JOB DETAILS- Cash: 83k - 104k
- Location: Redwood City, CA, US
- US Visas: Retell AI is open to sponsoring work authorization for qualified candidates, including H-1B, TN, L-1, E-3, F-1 (OPT/CPT)
OTHER BENEFITS- 100% coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurance
- $70/day DoorDash credit for unlimited breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
- $200/month wellness reimbursement (gym, fitness classes, etc.)
- $300/month commuter reimbursement (gas, Caltrain, etc.)
- $75/month phone bill reimbursement
- $50/month internet reimbursement
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY- Best Offer Upfront: Choose from three cash-equity balance options; no negotiation needed.
- Top 1% Talent: Above-market pay (top 5 percentile) to attract exceptional builders.
- High Ownership: Small teams, >$1M revenue/employee, and significant equity.
- Performance-Based: Offers tied to interview performance, not experience or past salaries.
