Research Engineer – BUIDL AI

About DoraHacks

DoraHacks is the leading global hackathon community and open source developer incentive platform. DoraHacks provides toolkits for open source technology platforms to organize hackathons and fund early-stage ecosystem startups.

DoraHacks creates a global hacker movement in Blockchain, Web3, Quantum Computing, AI, and Space Tech. So far, more than 21,000 startup teams from the DoraHacks community have received over $80M in funding. A large number of open source communities, companies and blockchain ecosystems are actively using DoraHacks together with its BUIDL AI capabilities for organizing hackathons and funding open source initiatives.

DoraHacks is at the forefront of open-source innovation. Join us to create autonomous open source communities and agentic hackathons with our BUIDL AI initiative.

Job Overview
We are seeking an exceptional Research Engineer with a diversely strong academic background and a passion for hands-on engineering to join our BUIDL AI engineering force. This role is ideal for curious, versatile individuals who thrive at the intersection of cutting-edge research and practical implementation. You will collaborate with DoraHacks’ global team of engineers, researchers, and developers to design, build, and scale AI-driven solutions that empower the hacker community and advance open-source ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Innovation: Conduct applied research in AI, machine learning, NLP, and other frontier technologies (e.g., quantum physics, advanced chemistry) to develop novel tools and applications for the BUIDL AI platform.

• Engineering Implementation: Design, prototype, and deploy scalable AI systems, integrating them into DoraHacks’ hackathon and open source funding platforms to enhance developer experiences.

• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with full-stack engineers, data scientists, and product teams to translate research insights into production-ready solutions.

• Industry Exploration: Stay ahead of trends in AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies, identifying opportunities to integrate advancements into DoraHacks’ ecosystem.

• Community Impact: Contribute to open-source projects, publish findings, and engage with the global hacker community through workshops, hackathons, and technical content.

• System Optimization: Ensure AI solutions are robust, efficient, and aligned with DoraHacks’ decentralized and community-driven ethos.

Qualifications

• Academic Background: Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD preferred) in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Mathematics, Physics, Philosophy, or other STEM disciplines. Candidates with diverse academic paths (e.g., combining engineering with social sciences, biology, or other fields) and/or history of open source contribution are highly encouraged to apply.

• Technical Expertise:

  • Strong programming skills in Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar ML frameworks.

  • Familiar with AI development tools.

  • Understand databases and ontology.

  • Experience with AI/ML model development, including deep learning, generative AI, or reinforcement learning is a plus but not required.

  • Familiarity with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and distributed systems is a plus.

• Engineering Mindset: Proven ability to bridge theoretical research with practical engineering, demonstrated through projects, prototypes, or open-source contributions.

• Diverse Perspective: Ability to draw insights from varied academic or professional experiences to solve complex, interdisciplinary problems.

• Passion for Innovation: Enthusiasm for frontier technologies and a desire to contribute to the global hacker movement.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively in diverse, global teams and communicate complex ideas clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Bonus Skills:

  • Experience with blockchain/Web3 technologies or decentralized systems.

  • Contributions to open-source communities or participation in hackathons.

  • Familiarity with DoraHacks’ platforms or previously won hackathons on DoraHacks.

Why Join DoraHacks?

• Impactful Work: Build AI tools that empower thousands of developers worldwide to create transformative projects.

• Global Community: Collaborate with a diverse, passionate team and engage with a thriving hacker community across blockchain, AI, and beyond.

• Growth Opportunities: Thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and leadership.

• Flexible Culture: Enjoy a collaborative, inclusive workplace with the flexibility to work remotely or from our hubs in the Bay Area, or globally.