Lead AI Engineer

Klaviyo is seeking a Lead AI Engineer to join our AI & Analytics organization in Palo Alto, CA. This role focuses on developing AI-native experiences that enhance our platform's capabilities for over 183,000 customers. The position is based in our new Palo Alto hub, operating under a hub-first model with regular in-office collaboration.

As a Lead AI Engineer, you will design and build scalable backend systems and user experiences that power our AI products and agentic solutions. Responsibilities include implementing low-latency backend systems and APIs, developing robust data processing pipelines, and evolving our agentic architecture to improve autonomy and reliability. Collaboration with product managers, machine learning engineers, and data scientists is essential to translate AI concepts into reliable production capabilities.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of professional software engineering experience with a strong focus on backend and distributed systems. Hands-on experience with generative and agentic AI applications, proficiency in Python and modern backend frameworks, and expertise in large-scale distributed systems are required. Strong collaboration skills and a customer-first mindset are also essential.

Klaviyo offers a competitive base salary ranging from $216,000 to $324,000 USD, depending on factors such as skills, experience, and location. The total compensation package may include participation in the company's annual cash bonus plan, equity, sign-on payments, and a comprehensive range of health, welfare, and wellbeing benefits based on eligibility.

Joining Klaviyo means becoming part of a team that empowers creators to own their destiny by making first-party data accessible and actionable. We foster a collaborative environment where ambitious and innovative individuals can thrive, with a focus on delighting our customers and driving measurable business impact through AI-driven solutions.