Extend (YC W23) is hiring engineers to build their LLM-powered document processing platform. They're looking for frontend, backend, and full-stack engineers to work on features like data extraction, summarization, and search across various document types. The ideal candidate is excited about AI and developer tools and has experience building production-ready software. Extend offers competitive salary and equity, a remote-first environment, and the opportunity to shape the future of how businesses interact with documents.
Empirical Health, a YC-backed startup focused on reinventing primary care, is hiring design engineers. They're seeking engineers with a passion for healthcare and experience building user-friendly interfaces for complex systems. These engineers will play a crucial role in designing and developing the company's core product, a technology platform aiming to streamline and improve the patient and physician experience within primary care. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment and eager to contribute to a mission-driven company.
Hacker News users discussed the Empirical Health job posting, focusing on the disconnect between the advertised "Design Engineer" role and the seemingly pure software engineering requirements listed. Several commenters questioned the use of "design" in the title, suspecting it was simply a trendy buzzword to attract talent. Others debated the actual meaning of "Design Engineer" in different contexts, with some suggesting it implied a focus on user experience and product design while others interpreted it as a more systems-oriented role involving architecture and implementation. Some users expressed skepticism about the company's approach to healthcare, while others were more optimistic. A few commenters also discussed the compensation and benefits offered.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43299508
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the value proposition of using LLMs for document processing, citing issues with accuracy and hallucination. Some suggested that traditional methods, especially for structured documents, remain superior. Others questioned the need for a specialized LLM application in this area, given the rapid advancements in open-source LLMs and tools. There was some discussion of the specific challenges in document processing, such as handling tables and different document formats, with commenters suggesting that these issues are not easily solved by simply applying LLMs. A few commenters also inquired about the company's specific approach and the types of documents they are targeting.
The Hacker News post titled "Extend (YC W23) is hiring engineers to build LLM document processing" generated a modest discussion with a few noteworthy comments. Several commenters focused on the apparent narrowness of the problem Extend is tackling, questioning the long-term viability of specializing solely in document processing with LLMs. One commenter expressed skepticism, stating that document processing feels like a feature, not a product, and wondered about the broader market opportunity. They questioned the defensibility of such a niche against larger players who could easily integrate similar features.
Another commenter pointed out the existing competition in the document processing space, mentioning established companies like UiPath and Automation Anywhere. This raised questions about Extend's differentiation and competitive advantage. They also highlighted the existing complexity and nuances of enterprise document processing, suggesting that simply applying LLMs might not be sufficient to address the real-world challenges.
A different perspective was offered by a commenter who saw value in focusing on specific industries. They suggested that specializing in document processing for a particular sector, like healthcare or finance, could be a viable strategy. This approach, they argued, would allow Extend to develop deep expertise and tailored solutions for specific industry needs, potentially creating a defensible market position.
One commenter directly addressed the hiring aspect of the post, inquiring about remote work possibilities. This reflects a common concern among Hacker News users, highlighting the importance of remote work options in the current tech job market.
Finally, a commenter briefly mentioned the connection to Y Combinator, noting the W23 batch. This provides context for the company's stage and potential for growth, although the comment itself didn't elaborate further on the implications of being part of the YC program.
Overall, the comments reflect a cautious but curious attitude toward Extend's approach. While acknowledging the potential of LLMs in document processing, commenters primarily raised concerns about market size, competition, and the need for a broader product vision. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by startups focusing on niche applications of LLMs in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.