- Lead complex technical initiatives end-to-end, from concept to production.
System Design: Architect a production-ready system. 3.
Requirements
ABOUT RETELL AI Retell AI is using first principles to reimagine the call center with cutting-edge voice AI.
Thousands of companies now utilize Retell’s AI voice agents to handle sales, support, and logistics calls that once required large teams of human agents.
Instead of basic automation that needs constant human tuning, we’re creating intelligent AI “workers” that can act as frontline agents, QA analysts, and managers — continuously executing, monitoring, and improving customer interactions.
We’re growing quickly and looking for ambitious builders who want to tackle hard technical problems, move fast, and have real impact at one of the fastest-growing voice AI startups.
Let’s build the future together. - We’re a top 50 AI app in a16z list: https://tinyurl.com/5853dt2x - #4 on Brex's Fast-Growing Software Vendors of 2025: https://www.brex.com/journal/brex-benchmark-december-2025 - We're also one of the top ranking startups on: https://leanaileaderboard.com/ - Enterprise tech 30: https://www.wing.vc/et30/overview THE ROLE We’re looking for a Principal/Staff Engineer to help own the technical direction of our core platform.
JOB DETAILS - Cash: $225-$350k - Equity: Offers Meaningful Equity - Location: Redwood City, CA, US (100% Relocation Provided) - 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), and O-1 visas. OTHER
Tools & Automation: Build automations or improve workflows in any basic environment setup like python, java, node.js, etc.
Experience
YOU MIGHT THRIVE IF - You have 9+ years of
Benefits
Backed by Y Combinator, Alt Capital, and other leading investors, we have scaled to $60M ARR with a team of 40 people, up from $5M at the start of 2025.
Our vision for 2026 is to build a modern CX platform where entire contact centers are powered by AI.
Bonus points if you’ve worked with: distributed systems, Voice AI, real-time systems, APIs at scale, infra/platform work, or developer-facing products.
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.
Additional details
This is a staff-level IC role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, moves fast, and raises the bar for everyone around them.
You’ll work across systems, infrastructure, and product surfaces — partnering closely with engineering, product, and leadership to scale what’s already working and build what’s next.
You’ll define problems, design solutions, and ship. KEY
RESPONSIBILITIES - Own the design and evolution of core platform and systems architecture.
- Make high-leverage technical decisions that balance speed, reliability, and scale.
- Raise the technical bar through design reviews, mentoring, and hands-on leadership.
- Partner closely with product to translate business needs into robust technical solutions.
- Identify and resolve performance, scalability, and reliability bottlenecks.
- Help define engineering best practices as we scale the team and platform.
experience building and operating production systems.