Shadeform, a YC S23 startup building a collaborative 3D design tool for game developers, is seeking a founding senior software engineer. They're looking for someone with strong experience in 3D graphics, game engines (especially Unreal Engine), and C++. This role will involve significant ownership and influence over the product's technical direction, working directly with the founders to build the core platform and its features from the ground up. Experience with distributed systems and cloud infrastructure is a plus.
Shadeform, a promising startup currently participating in the prestigious Y Combinator Summer 2023 cohort, is actively seeking a highly experienced and motivated Senior Founding Software Engineer to join their burgeoning team. This individual will play a pivotal and impactful role in the development and evolution of Shadeform's core technology, a groundbreaking platform focused on revolutionizing data management and analysis by enabling users to effortlessly construct custom data applications through a visually intuitive, no-code interface.
This presents a unique opportunity for a seasoned engineer to make significant contributions from the ground floor, shaping not only the technical architecture but also the very direction and future of the company. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of and extensive experience with front-end development, preferably using modern JavaScript frameworks such as React, along with expertise in back-end technologies, ideally including Node.js. Familiarity with database systems, especially PostgreSQL, and a strong grasp of fundamental computer science principles are also highly desired.
Beyond technical proficiency, Shadeform seeks an individual with a proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, capable of taking ownership of projects and driving them to completion with minimal supervision. Excellent communication skills are essential, as is the ability to collaborate effectively within a small, fast-paced team. A passion for building innovative products and a genuine interest in the data analysis domain will be highly valued.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work directly with the company's founders, influence the technological roadmap, and contribute meaningfully to a rapidly growing startup poised to disrupt the data application landscape. This role offers not only the chance to build something truly impactful but also the potential for significant personal and professional growth within a supportive and dynamic environment. The position comes with the attractive benefits typically associated with a Y Combinator-backed startup, including equity participation and the opportunity to be part of a vibrant and innovative community.
Summary of Comments ( 0 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43352405
Several Hacker News commenters expressed skepticism about the Shadeform job posting, primarily focusing on the requested skillset seeming overly broad and potentially unrealistic for a single engineer. Some questioned the viability of finding a candidate proficient in both frontend (React, WebGL) and backend (Rust, distributed systems) development, along with DevOps and potentially even ML experience. Others noted the apparent disconnect between seeking a "founding" engineer while simultaneously advertising a well-defined product and existing team, suggesting the "founding" title might be misleading. A few commenters also pointed out the low end of the offered salary range ($100k) as potentially uncompetitive, especially given the demanding requirements and Bay Area location. Finally, some discussion revolved around the nature of Shadeform's product, with some speculating about its specific application and target audience.
The Hacker News post discussing Shadeform's search for a founding senior software engineer generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters focusing on the compensation details and the nature of the work.
One commenter questioned the equity range of 0.5% - 1.5%, pointing out that at a $15M valuation (as stated in the job posting), this translates to $75k - $225k. They argued that this is a low offer for a founding engineer, especially considering the high cost of living in the Bay Area. This commenter further speculated that the low equity offer might indicate that the company has already raised a significant amount of seed funding, thus diluting the equity pool. They suggested that a more competitive offer would be 2% - 5%. This comment sparked a thread with others agreeing about the seemingly low equity for a founding role and discussing the potential implications of a large seed round.
Another commenter echoed this concern about the seemingly low equity, comparing it unfavorably to typical offers for similar roles at other YC startups. They expressed skepticism that the offered equity would be sufficient to attract and retain top-tier talent.
A different commenter expressed interest in the technical challenges of the project, specifically mentioning the development of a "general-purpose render farm." They inquired about the technical details of Shadeform's proposed solution, asking about the intended scale and the choice of infrastructure.
The discussion also touched on the potential market for Shadeform's product. One commenter expressed their belief that the rendering market is currently saturated with established players, making it challenging for new entrants to compete. However, they also acknowledged the potential for disruption if Shadeform could offer a significantly improved or more cost-effective solution.
Finally, there was a brief exchange about the potential impact of AI on the rendering landscape. One commenter suggested that recent advancements in AI-powered rendering might pose a threat to traditional rendering farms. Another commenter countered this argument by pointing out that AI-based solutions still have limitations and that there remains a demand for high-quality, physically accurate renders, which might be the niche Shadeform is targeting.