Head of Software Engineering, AI-Native Design Platform

Location: Remote - California About formX formX is building an AI-native platform that redefines how the built environment is designed and delivered. We are not layering AI onto existing workflows—we are rebuilding the system from first principles. Our platform combines generative models, agentic orchestration, and computational geometry to automate and optimize the full lifecycle of residential development—from concept generation to planning and execution. This is fundamentally a systems problem: transforming a fragmented, human-driven process into a programmable, intelligent pipeline. We're early, well-positioned, and focused on building a category-defining product. We're looking for a hands-on Head of Software Engineering to lead the architecture and execution of our core platform. This is a technical leadership role with significant ownership. You will define system architecture, build core components, and lead a small, high-caliber team.You will shape how generative and agentic systems operate in production—not as isolated features, but as the backbone of the product. In your first 12 months, success will look like defining and implementing the core architecture, bringing generative and agentic systems into production, building a high-performing team, and shipping end-to-end AI-driven design and planning workflow What You'll Work OnAI-Native System Architecture • Design and build systems where generative models produce structured, constraint-aware outputs (not just text or images) • Architect agentic workflows that coordinate multi-step processes across design, planning, and execution • Define how models, rules, and deterministic systems interact (LLMs, geometry, constraints, and data pipelines) • Build feedback loops that continuously improve outputs based on real-world usage and outcomes Engineering Leadership • Build and lead a small, high-performance engineering team • Set a high technical bar across architecture, code quality, and system design • Stay deeply involved in implementation and critical technical decisions • Create an environment where strong engineers operate with autonomy and ownership Product & Execution • Partner closely with product and design to define AI-native user experiences • Drive rapid iteration from prototype to production • Balance research exploration with pragmatic delivery • Own execution end-to-end—from idea to shipped system What We're Looking ForTechnical Depth • Strong experience designing and building backend systems, including APIs and distributed systems • Experience building complex, production-grade systems (not just prototypes) • Familiarity with modern frontend stacks (React, WebGL/Three.js) is a plus AI / Systems Experience • Experience working with LLMs, generative models, or AI agents in production • Strong intuition for where AI is effective—and where deterministic systems should take over • Experience designing systems that combine: generative models, structured data, rules and constraints, multi-step workflows Builder Mindset • Proven track record of building and shipping systems end-to-end • Comfortable taking products from 0 to 1, from initial architecture through production deployment • Strong preference for solving complex technical problems over managing large teams • Thrives in hands-on, build-focused environments with high ownership Leadership • Experience leading small, high-performing engineering teams • Able to set technical direction while remaining close to the code and day-to-day execution • Strong judgment on when to coach, when to unblock, and when to personally drive critical work forward • Clear, direct communicator who can work effectively across both technical and non-technical stakeholders Strong Signals (Nice to Have) • Experience at leading tech companies • Background in computational design, geometry processing, or CAD/BIM systems • Experience building AI-native products where AI is core to the system—not an add-on • Experience with agent frameworks, orchestration systems, or multi-agent architectures Why This Role • Work on a real-world problem with massive impact and deep technical complexity • Build systems that unify AI, geometry, planning, and execution into a single intelligent platform • Operate with high ownership and autonomy in a small, high-caliber team • Help define a new category at the intersection of software and the physical world We're building a system where software and AI directly shapes the physical world.If you're interested in working on foundational problems and building from first principles, we'd love to talk. Thanks so much for your interest! To keep things running smoothly, please apply through this job posting only. We're unable to review applications sent by email to the team. FormX does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from third-party recruiters or agencies.