---
title: 'R&D Software Engineer at webAI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/r-d-software-engineer-webai-austin-2qz6frsaaq1c'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# R&D Software Engineer at webAI

- **Company:** webAI
- **Location:** Austin, TX
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2025-05-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/webAI/ec7e2ab6-e145-4d2c-9f91-f72741daa1a5/application

**Skills:** Python, C/C++, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Large Language Models, LLMs, Applied Mathematics, Distributed AI systems, Edge computing

> The R&D Software Engineer translates theoretical AI and ML research into functional prototypes and proof-of-concept builds. This role involves rapid software development, feasibility studies, and cross-functional collaboration to shape future product directions and technical strategies.

## Job description

About Us:

webAI is pioneering the future of artificial intelligence by establishing the first distributed AI infrastructure dedicated to personalized AI. We recognize the evolving demands of a data-driven society for scalability and flexibility, and we firmly believe that the future of AI lies in distributed processing at the edge, bringing computation closer to the source of data generation. Our mission is to build a future where a company's valuable data and intellectual property remain entirely private, enabling the deployment of large-scale AI models directly on standard consumer hardware without compromising the information embedded within those models. We are developing an end-to-end platform that is secure, scalable, and fully under the control of our users, empowering enterprises with AI that understands their unique business. We are a team driven by truth, ownership, tenacity, and humility, and we seek individuals who resonate with these core values and are passionate about shaping the next generation of AI.

## ABOUT THE ROLE:

As an R&D Software Engineer, you will be at the forefront of innovation at webAI. Rapidly turning cutting-edge research and conceptual ideas into functional prototypes. This role is ideal for a highly technical and creative engineer who thrives in ambiguity and fast-paced environments. You’ll work closely with research scientists, engineers, and product stakeholders to bring theoretical advancements in AI to life through proof-of-concept builds and feasibility studies. Your work will directly influence future product directions and technical strategies across our platform.

## KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Rapidly design, build, and test software and AI prototypes for emerging technologies and product ideas.
- Translate theoretical AI and ML research into practical, testable implementations.
- Create proof-of-concept demos to validate feasibility and communicate value to internal stakeholders.
- Conduct feasibility studies, benchmarking, and performance evaluations of new approaches.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with research, engineering, and product teams to align prototypes with strategic goals.
- Iterate and refine prototypes based on feedback, testing, and evolving technical requirements.
- Document design processes, experimental results, and technical insights for internal knowledge sharing.
- Stay current on emerging technologies and methodologies in AI, software engineering, and distributed systems.

## REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
- 5+ years of experience in prototype development, ideally in an R&D or high-growth tech environment.
- Strong foundation in engineering principles, machine learning, and applied mathematics.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and C/C++.
- Experience working with AI technologies such as computer vision models, LLMs, or language processing.
- Demonstrated ability to build and iterate on technical prototypes quickly and independently.
- Clear communication skills and ability to present technical ideas to varied audiences.
- Proven success working in cross-functional teams and navigating technical ambiguity.

## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Prior work in startup or fast-paced R&D environments.
- Experience with distributed AI systems or edge computing.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation.
- Technical publications or patents related to AI or software development.

We at webAI are committed to living out the core values we have put in place as the foundation on which we operate as a team. We seek individuals who exemplify the following:

- Truth - Emphasizing transparency and honesty in every interaction and decision.
- Ownership - Taking full responsibility for one’s actions and decisions, demonstrating commitment to the success of our clients.
- Tenacity - Persisting in the face of challenges and setbacks, continually striving for excellence and improvement.
- Humility - Maintaining a respectful and learning-oriented mindset, acknowledging the strengths and contributions of others.

Benefits:

We strive to provide competitive benefits to all employees. The benefits listed in this posting generally apply to U.S.-based employees. For employees hired outside the United States, benefits may vary based on local law, country-specific requirements, and the employment platform or entity through which the employee is hired.

- Competitive salary
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits package
- 401(k) match
- Equity options
- $200/month Health & Wellness stipend
- Continuing Education support
- $500/year Function Health subscription
- Free parking for in-office employees
- Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Parental leave for eligible employees
- Supplemental life insurance

webAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of webAI to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances where a particular employee works.

## About webAI

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: webAI provides an end-to-end platform for building, deploying, and operating custom AI on local infrastructure, ensuring data sovereignty and low latency.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A‑II, $60M total raised)
- **Headquarters**: Austin, Texas, United States
- **Founded**: 2019 (source: webai.com) / 2020 (source: CB Insights)
- **Founders**: David Stout (CEO), Ethan Baird (Chief Research Officer), Tyler Mauer (Chief Product Officer)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Enterprise AI infrastructure, sovereign AI, edge computing
- Target customers: B2B – large enterprises and public‑sector organizations in healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, aviation, retail, and defense
- Mission or purpose statement: “AI should be specialized, sovereign, efficient, and sustainable. It should solve real problems, not just burn more compute.” (source: [webai.com/about](https://www.webai.com/about))

## Products & Services
- **Navigator**: Build, train, and deploy custom AI models on local infrastructure with full transparency and control. (source: [webai.com](https://www.webai.com))
- **Companion**: An on‑device assistant that connects employees to private AI, tailored to industry workflows (e.g., aviation, manufacturing). (source: [webai.com](https://www.webai.com))
- **Runtime**: Orchestrates distributed AI workloads across heterogeneous hardware, scaling from a single device to entire clusters. (source: [webai.com](https://www.webai.com))
- **webFrame**: Delivers optimized inference and training with adaptive quantization (“Entropy‑Weighted Quantization”) achieving near 99.5% accuracy. (source: [webai.com](https://www.webai.com))
- **Network**: Connects every model, dataset, and device through a secure, local fabric for high‑speed collaboration without the cloud. (source: [webai.com](https://www.webai.com))
- **CLI**: Full command‑line control for developers to build, extend, and manage AI environments at scale. (source: [webai.com](https://www.webai.com))

## Competitive Advantages
- **Data sovereignty**: Full ownership of AI models and data; models run on local infrastructure, not in the cloud.
- **Low latency & resilience**: Edge deployments enable real‑time inference without cloud dependency; works offline.
- **Proprietary optimization**: Entropy‑Weighted Quantization compresses models while maintaining ~99.5% accuracy.
- **Full‑stack platform**: Covers development (Navigator), deployment (Runtime/CLI), inference (webFrame), and collaboration (Network).

## Strategic Focus
- Current priorities: Scaling custom, sovereign AI into regulated industries (healthcare, finance, defense); building the “operating system of the future” for edge intelligence; achieving 2030 vision of billions of specialized models embedded in everyday systems. (source: [webai.com/about](https://www.webai.com/about))
- Growth direction: Public sector partnerships (President of Public Sector Dr. Jason Rathje); vertical solutions for aviation, manufacturing, and retail.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Core beliefs include ownership, truth, tenacity, humility, and the conviction that AI must be local and accessible.
- **Work model**: Flexible work environment with a strong bias toward work‑life balance; “Unlimited PTO.”
- **Perks** (source: [webai.com/careers](https://www.webai.com/careers)):
  - Comprehensive health coverage for body and mind
  - Parental leave and fertility support
  - 401(k) with company contribution
  - Learning stipend for professional development
  - Equity options
- **Engineering culture**: Developer‑first (CLI, Runtime) with focus on solving complex distributed‑systems and ML challenges; autonomy to shape the platform.

## Sources
1. [webai.com](https://www.webai.com)
2. [webai.com/about](https://www.webai.com/about)
3. [webai.com/careers](https://www.webai.com/careers)
4. [CB Insights](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/webai)
5. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/webai-official)

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