Community Builder and Product Engineer

Note: For this role, we are asking you to record a video about your past experience with startups, programs and community management — share whatever you think is relevant for success in this role. Please aim for no more than 2 minutes, and share the private Youtube URL in your application/message.

This is a hybrid builder role focused on growing and scaling YC’s talent ecosystem through both community-building and software.

You’ll design and run high-quality programs and events that connect exceptional people with YC startups — and you’ll also build the tools, systems, and AI-powered workflows that make those efforts scalable.

This is not a traditional events role. You’re not just organizing — you’re engineering systems around communities.

If you’re someone who enjoys bringing people together and writing code to amplify that impact, this is a uniquely high-leverage role.

TL;DR

• You build communities and the software that powers them
• You’ll work directly with founders, developers, and talent across the YC ecosystem
• You’ll improve and extend YC tools (like Work at a Startup)
• You’ll use AI to scale community engagement and hiring outcomes
• You thrive in ambiguity and take ownership end-to-end

About the Team & Product

Y Combinator runs Work at a Startup (workatastartup.com), a platform that connects exceptional candidates with YC startups.

YC also operates a wide range of programs — events, conferences, and partnerships — that serve as the top-of-funnel engine for talent into the ecosystem.

This role sits at the intersection of both:

• Community → bringing the right people together
• Software → building systems that scale that connection

What You’ll Do

Community Building & Events

• Own and run YC’s talent-facing programs: meetups, tech talks, career expos, and more
• Design high-quality in-person and online experiences that connect founders and candidates
• Build relationships across universities, developer communities, and emerging talent networks
• Grow and nurture communities around YC — both online and offline
• Act as a strong external representative of YC

Events Engineering & Internal Tools

• Build tools and systems to manage, scale, and improve events and community engagement
• Contribute code to YC’s internal codebase (including Work at a Startup)
• Automate workflows around candidate discovery, event ops, and follow-ups
• Use AI to improve matching, personalization, and engagement across the ecosystem
• Prototype quickly — from scrappy scripts to production features

Ecosystem & Platform Strategy

• Identify bottlenecks in how talent flows into YC startups and build solutions
• Combine programs + software to create scalable, repeatable systems
• Use data to measure what works and continuously improve outcomes
• Expand YC’s reach into new talent pools and communities

What We’re Looking For

Must-Haves

• Strong coding ability — you’re comfortable building real tools and shipping code
• Evidence of building projects, products, or meaningful side projects
• Ability to operate as both a builder and community leader
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• High agency — you take ownership without waiting for direction
• Comfort working in ambiguity and moving quickly

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience running events, communities, or programs
• Experience with developer communities or university ecosystems
• Familiarity with AI tools and interest in applying them to real-world workflows
• Experience in or strong interest in startups

Who Thrives Here

• Builders who want to have impact beyond a single product
• People who enjoy both people and systems
• Individuals who combine technical ability with strong taste and judgment
• Those excited about shaping how communities and talent networks scale

Why This Role Is Unique

• You’ll build software and run programs — not just one or the other
• You’ll have access to YC’s internal tools and can directly improve them
• You’ll help define how AI transforms community building and hiring
• Your work will impact thousands of founders and candidates

Location & Benefits

Location: This is an in-person role at YC's campus in Dogpatch, San Francisco. This is where our users (founders, partners, and employees) are five days a week, so it’s optimal for you to be here with them. You must live in the SF Bay Area or be willing to relocate. We offer generous relocation support for those who want to move to SF to work here.

Compensation: $160K to $250K base salary, depending on experience.

Benefits: Our full benefits package includes medical, vision, and dental plans, infertility benefit, STD/LTD, life insurance, commuter benefits, flexible spending account, health savings account, 401(k) + 4% matching, generous parental leave, paid holidays, and flexible paid time off policy.

Work Authorization: Y Combinator is willing to sponsor certain employment visas in accordance with company policy.