Founding CTO / Founding Engineer (iOS-First, 0→1 Builder)

About Solve

I’m building Solve, an AI-powered marketplace that connects people to real-world help instantly.

The problem: finding someone reliable for small tasks is slow and inefficient.

Solve removes search. Users post a need, and the system automatically matches them with the best person nearby.

This is a mobile-first product. The speed and quality of the app experience are critical.

The Role

This is a Founding CTO / Founding Engineer role.

The responsibility is to build the first version of the product from scratch, independently.

This includes:

• Building the iOS app from 0 (core requirement)

• Building the backend and core systems

• Designing the matching logic and core product experience

This is not a management role.

This is a hands-on builder role in a 0→1 environment.

What You’ll Build

• A mobile-first iOS app (from scratch)

• A real-time matching system (location, availability, relevance)

• Backend systems and APIs

• Notifications and real-time updates

• Payments and escrow system

• User trust and reputation system

• Early AI-based ranking and recommendation logic

Requirements (Strict)

• You have personally built and shipped at least one mobile app

• You are comfortable building iOS (Swift) or strong cross-platform mobile apps

• You can build both mobile and backend systems

• You are able to build independently in the early stage

• You have experience working in 0→1 or startup environments

Important

• If your experience is primarily backend / infrastructure, this role is not a fit

• If you have not built mobile apps yourself, this role is not a fit

• This role requires hands-on building, not just system design

Commitment

• Full-time

• In-person in San Francisco during the early phase

• You will be the first technical hire and build the initial product yourself

Compensation

• Equity-based initially

• Transition to salary after fundraising (pre-seed / seed)

What Matters Most

• Ability to build and ship quickly

• Strong ownership and execution

• Comfort with ambiguity and early-stage chaos

If you apply, be ready to share:

• What mobile apps you’ve built

• What you personally owned end-to-end