About Archetype AI

Archetype AI is developing the world's first AI platform to bring AI into the real world. Formed by an exceptionally high-caliber team from Google, Archetype AI is building a foundation model for the physical world, a real-time multimodal LLM for real life, transforming real-world data into valuable insights and knowledge that people will be able to interact with naturally. It will help people in their real lives, not just online, because it understands the real-time physical environment and everything that happens in it.

Supported by deep tech venture funds in Silicon Valley, Archetype AI is currently at the Series A stage and is progressing rapidly to develop technology for their next stage. This presents a unique and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of an exciting AI team at the beginning of their journey, located in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Our team is headquartered in San Mateo, California, with team members throughout the US and Europe.

We are actively growing, so if you are an exceptional candidate excited to work on the cutting edge of physical AI and don’t see a role that exactly fits you below you can contact us directly with your resume via jobs<at>archetypeai<dot>io.

About the Role

This role will lead rapid prototyping for emerging AI hardware and software interfaces, enabling the transition of early R&D results into viable product features. The contribution is twofold: first, to steer novel technologies toward meaningful, human-centered directions; second, to identify and shape new product opportunities. A critical aspect of the role is communication, using prototypes as narrative tools to translate complex AI capabilities into clear, compelling experiences that teams can align around.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead rapid hardware and software prototypes, turning early R&D outcomes into concrete, testable experiences.

• Use prototypes as communication tools to align design, research, and engineering teams around shared understanding and direction.

• Explore and identify new product opportunities by experimenting with novel interaction paradigms and system behaviors.

Responsibilities

• 8+ years of experience as a Design Engineer, Interaction Designer, or similar role, with a strong focus on rapid prototyping and a proven track record in research or R&D lab environments. In particular, we are looking for deep experience in:

  • Prototyping across hardware and sensor-based systems

  • Working with Generative AI or Machine Learning models and understanding their implications for user interfaces and interaction design

  • Building interactive prototypes using modern web technologies (e.g., React, Svelte, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML/CSS)

• Comfort with ambiguity and early-stage product exploration

• Proven ability to work across design and engineering, comfortably navigating both conceptual and technical discussions

• A portfolio demonstrating both research-oriented work and the successful shipment of complex, ambiguous product experiences

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Skills

• Familiarity with design systems, component libraries, or front-end architecture

• Leadership and communication skills.