Senior Applied AI Engineer

Senior Applied AI Engineer (Agentic Systems & MCP)

Location:
Remote

Team:
Product & Engineering

Reports to: CTO

Downstream Systems, Inc.
is a leading marketplace platform that's transforming the waste and construction industries from the ground up. We're on a mission to bring simplicity, transparency, and sustainability to two of the most essential—but often overlooked—sectors of our economy.

At Downstream, we make it easy for contractors, builders, and businesses to find and book critical services like dumpster rentals, hauling, and site clean-up—all in just a few clicks.

No more endless calls, confusing pricing, or waiting around. Our platform connects customers with vetted, reliable providers so they can get what they need, when they need it—without the headache.

But we're not just about convenience—we're about impact. By streamlining logistics and digitizing the supply chain, we're helping reduce waste, cut emissions, and build a cleaner, more sustainable future for everyone. Whether you're managing a small job site or a major development project, Downstream is here to help you keep things moving—efficiently, affordably, and responsibly.

The Role

We are hiring a
Senior Applied AI Engineer
to architect the intelligence layer of the Downstream marketplace. We aren't looking for a web developer who simply calls OpenAI APIs; we need a systems engineer capable of building autonomous agents, robust evaluation pipelines, and standardized context servers.

You will lead the integration of AI into our construction rentals platform, building the "nervous system" that connects our data to our users. You will work directly with the CTO to design
Model Context Protocol (MCP)
servers, recommendation engines, and agentic workflows that solve complex logistics problems.

What You Will Build (Responsibilities)

• Architect MCP Servers:
  Design and implement
  Model Context Protocol (MCP)
  servers to standardize how our data (inventory, logistics, pricing) is exposed to AI agents. You will treat context as a first-class product.
• Agentic Orchestration:
  Build the backend logic for multi-agent systems that can plan, reason, and execute tasks. You will ensure these agents can plug into client-facing Chat UIs (built in Flutter/React) via structured, reliable protocols.
• LLM-Powered Recommendation Engines:
  Develop predictive engines that analyze historical construction data and project requirements to proactively recommend rentals and services.
• Rigorous LLM Evaluation (LLMOps):
  You will implement comprehensive logging and evaluation pipelines using tools like
  Weights & Biases (WandB)
  . You are responsible for measuring drift, hallucination rates, and agent success metrics— ensuring we ship reliable intelligence, not just "vibes."
• Production Python Backend:
  Write high-performance, maintainable Python code. Whether it's a microservice or a monolith, you ensure the AI logic is scalable and secure.

What We're Looking For

• Senior Applied AI Experience:
  You have moved beyond prototypes. You have experience deploying LLM applications where reliability and latency matter.
• Mastery of the AI Stack:
  Deep expertise with orchestration frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph, or custom implementations) and vector databases.
• MCP Expertise:
  You understand the
  Model Context Protocol
  and how to build servers that provide context to LLMs efficiently.
• Evaluation-First Mindset:
  You don't guess if a prompt is better; you prove it. Extensive experience with
  logging and evaluation platforms (WandB, LangSmith, Ariz)
  is required.
• Strong Python Fundamentals:
  You are an expert in Python. You understand concurrency, async/await patterns, and API design (REST/gRPC).
• Builder's DNA:
  You are comfortable with ambiguity and iteration. You build scrappy to validate, but architect for scale.

Nice-to-Haves

• Django Experience:
  Our core platform is built on Django. Familiarity is helpful, but strong Python fundamentals are what matter.
• Mobile/Frontend Awareness:
  Experience working with
  Flutter
  or modern JS frameworks. You don't need to write the UI, but you need to understand how to feed it.
• Logistics Domain Knowledge:
  Familiarity with marketplaces, supply chain, or construction tech.

Ideal Team Member Profile at Downstream Systems, Inc.

At Downstream, we're not just building a platform—we're building a movement to modernize and elevate the waste and construction industries. That's why we look for team members who are
not only smart and capable but deeply aligned with the way we show up for each other, our customers, and suppliers.
Our cultural beacons are more than values—they're how we work, lead, and grow.

Here's what a great Downstreamer looks like:

Runs into the Gap

You don't wait to be told. When you see a problem or an opportunity, you lean in with curiosity and energy. You're proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working through ambiguity—because you know that growth often starts where things are messy.

Practices Radical Transparency

You communicate clearly, openly, and without ego. Whether you're sharing feedback, surfacing a roadblock, or admitting a mistake, you do so with the trust that honesty drives progress. You don't play games—you play as a team.

Takes Pride in What You Do

You care deeply about the quality of your work and the experience of our customers. Whether you're shipping code, solving a customer problem, or launching a new market, you bring thoughtfulness and craftsmanship to everything you touch. Excellence isn't a goal—it's a habit.

Gives Others Confidence

You lift people up. You empower teammates with clear thinking, strong execution, and generous collaboration. You help others believe in their ability to succeed, and you create space for them to thrive. You lead with kindness and build trust by showing up consistently.

At Downstream, we're a group of builders, thinkers, and doers who care as much about how we work as what we're working on. If you're energized by solving real-world problems and being part of a company where values guide action—
you'll feel right at home.
Let's revolutionize this industry together.

Downstream Employee Benefits

At Downstream, we believe in taking great care of our team—because when you're supported, you can do your best work. Here's a snapshot of the benefits we offer:

Comprehensive Health Coverage

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Health Savings